Sources of protein?

[cc-rider]

What would you consider to be a good source of protein....reasonably priced and something that could be consumed daily?

I know I don't eat enough protein, but since I *have* to, I could eat the same thing every day for lunch if I knew it was necessary. So what can be eaten daily, that is reasonably priced, and not high calorie?

For instance, don't say tuna since you can't eat tuna daily (for some health reason). Or peanut butter because of the calories and you HAVE to have it on bread - so the starch issue. LOL

And please don't tell me to grow and roast earthworms or some such thing. Or even liver.

Suggestions??? Thanks!

[ronbre]

I would say, chicken, fish like tilapia and also shellfish if you can have them, beef, pork, eggs, but also I use a lot of seeds and nuts, they are very high in protein, also you can use whey protein powder drinks or soy if you use soy, I prefer not to cause of the hormonal quality.

there are also good protein bars and if you are on low carb like I am I prefer the atkins ones although they are a little pricey.

there are recipes that use peanut butter that are low carb..not using bread..check out this web site here
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/

there are also other good sites and you can go to www.atkins.com for more low carb protein sources..

to buy some also see www.netrition.com

[TSYORK]

peanut butter.

[marinemomtatt]

Beans, Chickpeas, Mushrooms, Quinoa (very high in protein), Wheat Berries, Eggs, TVP (textured vegetable protein)

I could eat a good humus made with chickpeas, garlic, tahini, EVOO and mint or cilantro everyday with raw veggies.
Quinoa makes for a great fresh salad with raw veggies, mint and feta cheese.

[anniew]

Magic meat????

Seriously, why do you have to eat it every day? Alternate. One day tuna, one day eggs, one day cheese, one day peanut butter, custard and quiche (both eggs and milk), skim milk, soybeans, beans and rice (grains), chicken...so many options.

[mnn2501]

You don't have to have peanut butter on bread, I like it plain and many people put it on celery.
Non meat proteins have fats so they have calories.

Perhaps a hamburger without the bun, grill or bake it (or use a George Foreman grill to avoid a lot of the fat.

I'll 2nd the question - why do you need to eat the same thing every day? - sounds boring to me.

[oregon woodsmok]

If cost is a consideration, then beans, lentils, quinoa.

A mixture of brown rice and beans has a complete amino acid profile, it's very cheap, and you can cook up a weeks worth and eat leftovers all week.

It's beyond me why anyone would want to eat the same thing every day, but that's your choice. There are so many excellent things that can be cooked out of beans and lentils: Cajun food, Indian curry, Mexican food, New England American food, African food.... You could have a different bean dish every day of the year.

If you want actual meat, go for the boneless skinless chicken breast. You only need 3-4 ounce a day, so one piece of chicken is enough for a couple of days. Get yourself a nice little kitchen scale so you get the required amount, and that will keep your cost way down. You can cook 3 days worth and do fresh cooked one day and leftovers for 2 days.

[Usingmyrights]

It sounds like you almost want to have this as a "just in case". First off I would go at this from a different angle. Instead of whats a protein that I can east everyday, I'd go at it from whats are easy to store and use proteins. That way there can be more variety and health wouldn't be as much of a concern. As mentioned whey protein. You can get them in premixed drinks, or in powder form. I'd add both tuna and PB to the list, because they're easy to store and use. Don't need to be kept cold and can be eaten straight from the contained. And no, you don't need bread to eat PB I've been eating it straight out of the can everyday, 2 a day, for several years. Its a great snack. I'd get some corned beef/roast beef hash. There's canned salmon. You can get protein from beans, but it should be mixed with rice to form complete proteins. While I don't want to bash the atkins diet, it isn't the healthiest. Calories of course come from different places. Carbs and protein are equal with 4calories per gram. Fat comes in at 9 per gram. While your body does need protein you need more of it if you're being active. Which would mean you'd need more carbs unless you're trying to lose weight.

[Lizza]

Eggs.

[cc-rider]

LOL. I guess I was just thinking "quick" by making it the same thing every day. I can cook up a chicken on the weekend, and pack a piece of chicken for lunch every day. Or boil a dozen eggs, etc. Or take a powdered protein drink, etc. I don't have time to pack a good lunch....I just need to grab and go. (I know, maybe I need to spend more time packing a lunch).

You are right, I was looking for a quick, cheap miracle.

I have cooked burgers on a Foreman grill and made extra to take to work before. That's always an option, but I thought there might be a healthier option.

Soup is a good option, but I wasn't sure I'd get enough protein in a serving since I use very little meat in my soups.

How many grams of protein do you NEED a day?

[oregon woodsmok]

By the way, if you do not want to do any cooking, I can buy a can of chili for 89 cents, on sale. The brand I like the best can be had for $1.29 on sale. One can of chili is 3 servings, so 3 days worth of lunch for, at most $1.29. No cooking involved, you don't even have to microwave it, if you don't want to and it contains both beans and actual meat.

If you keep your consumption down to one serving, almost any protein is reasonable in cost and calories. The cost and calorie issue is a problem only if you consume enough to count as several servings at one sitting.

[cc-rider]

That brings up another issue, too, that usingmyrights touched on. I was ALSO wanting something that could be stored as a "just in case", too. Thanks for your suggestions!

I didn't know the beans and rice thing. Any suggestions for recipes for that? That sounds like something that could a long-term storage thing, but also a "cook it on Sunday and eat it all week for lunch" thing.

When you say "beans"...what kind of beans?

[suzyhomemaker09]

Perhaps a better way to start is to see how much protein you need for a day?

http://exercise.about.com/cs/nutrition/a/protein_2.htm

then go from there

[ChristieAcres]

Check out how much protein you get in Nettles! You can grow them relatively inexpensively, too... FREE if you already have them There are many herbal teas (more like infusions) that are highly nutritious, packed with vitamins & minerals.

[cc-rider]

Originally Posted by suzyhomemaker09

Perhaps a better way to start is to see how much protein you need for a day?

http://exercise.about.com/cs/nutrition/a/protein_2.htm

then go from there

Perfect!!! That gives me something to start with. I need 50 grams of protein a day. I just ate a "lean gourmet" 5-cheese lasagna frozen meal and it was 13 grams. I had intended on that being my protein for the day, so I was WAY off! Maybe a burger for supper won't be a bad idea.

I just noticed there are 5 grams in my yogurt. For some reason, I hadn't considered dairy being a protein. I feel so stupid right now....

[Usingmyrights]

For beans, just a simple redbeans and rice dish. Season to your liking and you can always add in bits of meat, onion, pepper, or whatever else you think you might like. For quick, low calorie protein I'd go with the protein drinks, though they aren't cheap. Boost makes a good what that doesn't taste too bad. The best place I found to get those is at Sam's by the case (2dz in a case). There's others as well, but the taste isn't always there. The one with the most protein (that I know about) taste like what I would thick that chalk taste like. So if you do decide to go the drink route, I'd try to pick up just a couple to see if you like them first.

[cc-rider]

Originally Posted by lorichristie

Check out how much protein you get in Nettles! You can grow them relatively inexpensively, too... FREE if you already have them There are many herbal teas (more like infusions) that are highly nutritious, packed with vitamins & minerals.

Protein in nettles?? Wow...wouldn't have thought that. I'll look into the herbal teas, too. Are you talking commercially available teas, or ones you make yourself (herbal)?

Maybe I need to just do more research on SOURCES of proteins other than meats (my misconception).

Now, if I could create a tasty bar that had the RDA of protein, fiber, and calcium for us old ladies, I'd be all set!!!!

[goohsmom]

A good rule of thumb on protein is that each ounce of lean-meat, no matter what type, has about 7 grams of protein. Eggs have about 6-7 grams each, depending on the size. Dairy you need to check the label, I don't know those numbers off the top of my head.

There are several online food calculators you can use to see what you're eating and get a handle on the protein you're currently consuming. I like Fit Day--the online version is free, and it's a good way to see what macros you're currently consuming.

Pam

[ChristieAcres]

Originally Posted by cc-rider

Protein in nettles?? Wow...wouldn't have thought that. I'll look into the herbal teas, too. Are you talking commercially available teas, or ones you make yourself (herbal)?

Maybe I need to just do more research on SOURCES of proteins other than meats (my misconception).

Now, if I could create a tasty bar that had the RDA of protein, fiber, and calcium for us old ladies, I'd be all set!!!!

I grow my own herbs, make infusions from them, also grow Nettles, too. The teas you buy commercially, although good for you, don't pack the nutritional punch of stronger infusions you can make yourself. Naturally, I have to buy some teas, but don't rely on those for nutrition.

Just taking Nettles- up to 25% protein (height of food value) fresh and a whopping 40% dried. Google herbal infusions and see how much comes up! Also, google vegetables high in protein. I didn't check the levels in Spinach, but it is packed with nutrition... There are posts here listing all kinds of protein sources that aren't meats...

[7thswan]

Egg whites.