Protein ideas

[JazzyJude]

Here's a thread we all can add ideas to. Some of these protein ideas and actually make great meals too. So, I will start and then if anyone can think of others, just post them.

Here's a few...

~ CHEESE: Cheese sticks or cubes, Cream Cheese or Peanut Butter on celery and add raisins for potassium,

~ FRUITS: Apple slices with peanut butter, cheddar cheese melted, or with flavored nut butter, such as cashew or almond; berries with ricotta cheese, which you can sweeten it up by it self and then add other fruits with it; any fruit with cottage cheese (even tomatoes)

~ YOGURT: Add peanute butter to plain yogurt; freeze your favorite yogurt or protein shake made into frozen popsicles; try both the Fage greek or Italian yogurt for dips for veggies or chicken, instead of sour cream - very high in proteins

~ NUTS: Almonds, cashews, walmuts, flavored/spcy nuts, etc; sliced blanched almonds with ricotta cheese

~ MEATS: Jerky (beef, turkey, or chicken) homemade or store bought; chicken pieces, deli meats wrapped around a dill pickle slice; tuna or sardines on crackers

~ CRACKERS: Wheat Thins, Special K crackers, cheese and crackers, soy chips,

~ BARS: Luna bars, Quaker granola bars, Oh Yeah bars, Special K bars

~ EGGS: Hard boiled egg; deviled eggs

~ OTHERS: Quinoa is pack with proteins!

In addition, I sometimes have a protein shake after exercising, within 30 minutes, to aid with the muscle mass I do to firm and tone.

Remember ~ it's all about portion control. Making these snack "grab-bits' ahead of time would help you not over eat ~ but eat in moderation.

Some tips to share:

1. Portion your food ~ use those 'snack-size' ziplock bags. Don't bring, take or eat out of the the main bag/box.

2. Eat mindfully the foods you eat ~ take the time to enjoy the snack. Don't be in a rush to eat it, for you may over eat.

3. Try to limit the simple carbs ~ which they can make you want more!

4. Plan your meals with dense proteins ~ to prevent you to snack often.

5. Drink your water ~ as it is a natural appetite suppressant. Also, use those 'to go' flavored drink packets.

6. Plan your weekly menus in advance ~ to choose wisely what you eat and track your calories intake.

7. Post your meals on a calendar in the kitchen.

8. Make a "Vision Collage" and post it nearby where you can view at all times ~ it's a great motivator!

9. Goals ~ write small, reachable ones; note your achievements, and rewrite new goals to conquer.

[Babe]

Great post Jude, thanks for putting it all together!

Got a few to add:

Cheese: cheese strings (LF mozza is my fave); ricotta/cottage cheese mixed with nuts, fresh fruit, dried cherries/cranberries, jam, or marinara sauce;

Yogurt: Activia cup (perfect portion for a snack, topped with some granola for added fiber)

Meats: baby shrimp meat (over salad, mixed like tuna salad, or just as is cause it's already cooked), salmon jerky, lox

Misc: a tbsp of Nut Butter (peanut, hazelnut, almond, etc avail. at trader joes or natural health stores) alone or with apple/celery/cracker; Kelloggs Protein Water, yogurt cheese (strain your fave yogurt overnight in cheese cloth lined colander over a bowl - it will become a cream cheese consistence in the morning, flavor it sweet or savory and use like cream cheese)

BONUS TIP: always keep snack size ziplock bags and small (1 Cup - ish) sized disposable storage containers in you pantry to pre portion out your snacks, meals, etc. i do it with baked chips, veggies, fruits, nuts, cracker, even my m&m's (yes i still eat chocolate) - it totally helps prevent grazing.

[Myskinny]

I love the way the more experienced bandsters help us out. I am so thankful for this website. It is getting me through the tough times. Thanks again for the help.

Lori