High protein, low protein, no protein… There are so many confusing diets. What is really the best for your body?
If you ask a body builder about protein, you likely will be told that high protein is important. But if you ask a vegetarian, you may hear that protein in smaller amounts is okay. Who is right? The truth is that there is no one answer. We all have different needs based on our own body. But you DO need protein.
- Fish: tuna, salmon, halibut, trout, sardines and sea bass
- Poultry: chicken, turkey, duck, goose and quail
- Meat: lean beef, pork and lamb
- Legumes: kidney beans, black beans, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, lentils, lima beans, fava beans, cannellini beans, edamame and peas
- Nuts and seeds: almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, peanuts (not really a nut), pecans, pistachios, walnuts, or nut butters, chia, flax, poppy, pumpkin, sesame and sunflower
- Dairy: milk, cheese> mozzarella, cheddar, gouda, swiss, parmesan, ricotta, cottage, Monterey Jack, yogurt (especially Greek because it’s higher in protein)
- Other protein sources: eggs, protein powders/shakes- whey, rice or plant based- check for ones without artificial colors, flavors or artificial sweeteners like sucralose.
One of my favorite breakfast choices on a busy morning is a protein shake. Because I’m dairy-free, I use a rice protein, almond milk, organic frozen fruit, a scoop of organic flax seed and blend on high until thick and frothy. It tastes like a milk shake and keeps me full all morning. My husband uses whey protein and does the same thing.