The Protein Fix
Ever feel like something in your diet is lacking? Besides the simple answer for remembering to eat any plain old food as I'm so busy feeding the tiny hungry mouths around me that I simply struggle to find time to eat - I'm finding protein always makes me feel more energized for longer periods of time. Recently, as I've tried to find a "protein fix", I've been having eggs a few times a week for breakfast. I notice that the days I start off my day with an egg, that I not only have more energy but also think I tend to have less cravings for random unhealthy snacks as I feel more satisfied and alert from consuming a healthy source of protein.I'm no nutritionist, but I wonder if other Moms feel like protein is more satisfying and must somehow be meeting some "dietary" needs that if you're like me, we've been missing out on?
Watching a toddler scale furniture and attempting to prevent all sorts of dangerous activities while eating a quick snack or sandwich is somewhat manageable but my husband and I are finding dinner totally impossible. So it's no wonder we're coming up short on protein!
Baby Kyle is allergic to eggs so he isn't benefiting from my new breakfast egg kick. And the nut factor is ruled out as I'm fearful of choking toddlers and pre-schoolers running around with anything remotely like a nut in their mouth! I'm trying to give the kids and myself an extra slice of cheese in the afternoon as a snack or even before we settle down for lunch. And now that we're in prime season for all kinds of fresh fruits I'm treating the kids and myself to fruit smoothies (yogurt, OJ, and fresh fruit in a blender!) as a special afternoon snack once a week too.
What other ways, besides meat at dinner, do you sneak in protein to your family's diet? I'd love to hear any and all suggestions.
Disclosure: This blog post is sponsored by Healthy Choice. Please visit http://www.spokespersonwanted.com/ for more information on Healthy Choice and to print a free $1 off coupon.
posted by Classy Mommy at 9:02 PM
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We eat tofu cubes and cottage cheese for high protein snacks. You could blend some tofu into those smoothies, along with some flax seed. You said you weren't doing nuts but what about nut butters or other seeds? We often put a scoop of a nut butter on the side of the snack plate for dipping or spreading. Beans are always a good source of protein too and make a fun finger food. If you mash the beans, a bean and cheese quesadilla makes a tasty snack too.
We keep yogurt on hand for snacks, and we do eat peanut butter, adding it as a spread on apples, bananas, crackers, etc. Sometimes we blend the peanut butter with yogurt for a dip. (my girls looooove to dip!)
Love the look. Count me in please.
Catherine
Redwood27@Shaw.ca
We eat tofu with veggies by making a stir-fry. Almond butter is another good source. We are vegetarians so we eat a lot of beans. Black beans are a good source of protein too they say. We eat red kidney beans, garbonozo beans. My kids love black beans as a snack too. Cottage cheese is also very liked. Muenster cheese is good too. Lentils are also something we enjoy.
Along the bean idea... cut up veggies or pita with hummus. Just make sure they don't have a legume allergy (my hubby does).
Yes! Very much so. My cousin is stuck on fruit and sweet potatoes...but always has low energy (and works out a lot too trying to lose weight). I've told her so many times that protein is her friend...especially to build lean muscle with. Maybe if I redirect her to your blog and she sees someone else say it she'll listen.
cellphonenum