Everyone tells me I need to eat more protein to preserve muscle mass and maintain stamina between workouts. What to do? There are lots of choices for getting protein in me, but each has its pros and cons as far as I’m concerned. Here are the options
Red meat-tastes great, but lots of fat/calories. And I just don’t digest it the way I could years ago.
Poultry-it’s leaner than beef or pork, and it tastes good, especially if It’s fresh. You can eat a ton of egg whites. But a steady diet of the stuff can be a bit boring.
Dairy-I love it, especially cheese. But again, I really have to watch the calories, and the fat is tough on my body.
Shakes-cheap and easy, especially right after a workout. Just add water. They go down very easy. The problem? I like to eat real food.
Plant protein-we’re talking legumes here. Something I need to try more of. Really need to educate myself about these. The there’s Soy protein. It’s called the perfect food. Just one issue. I’d rather eat grasshoppers.
Seafood-historically, my go to protein. Love it, as long as it’s fresh. And I have to watch the cholesterol.
So what does this all mean for me? In the grocery or a restaurant, seafood is the first choice. Second is chicken, turkey or eggs. If I can’t find that, maybe some cheese. Once I learn more about them, I may try some beams or lentils. Red meat is a last resort. Tofu? I’d sooner starve.
Lentils actually have a lot of flavor. Chickpeas (or garbanzo beans) also are pretty tasty and have a good amount of protein. You can cook them or throw them cold on a salad. Add herbs and spices for more flavor. I was never a big fan of them growing up- but once I started experimenting with them in my own cooking, I fell in love.
Try making a Tuscan bean soup.
mix ground pork with lentils and curry, form some patties and cook. Tasty protein