High protein diet, but trying to loose weight. Any suggestions??

CAPMguy

[FONT=verdana,arial][SIZE=-1]Some high protein foods are: [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=verdana,arial][SIZE=-1]chicken
turkey
lean meats and beef
fish (every fish is high in protein, from tuna fish, to salmon, to shrimp)
egg whites
beans
nuts [/SIZE][/FONT]

motherhen2234

Hi,

The protein powder I use is a whey protein powder so its made up of whey (which is by product of cheese production). The one we use is veggie friendly as the cheese production doesn't use animal rennet so def not nasties in there!

Slinky_Malinky

Check out Farm Foods for great value frozen meat and fish.


motherhen- please would you be willing to share your protein bar recipe? Sounds interesting

Wee_Bargain_Hunter

I know that there are different types of protein too - I think first and second class - but again, I am fuzzy on the details.

You're right about there being different types of protein. It's not just the amount of protein that a food contains, it's also the quality that counts.
For example, you could eat beans on toast as together they contain all the amino acids that make up a complete protein (like meat or eggs). Maybe add a tomato or chilli powder to liven it up a bit. You can combine other lower quality proteins too eg nut butter sandwich. Basically variety is the key to ensure that you get all the various amino acids to have a good quality protein diet.

Also if you are trying to lose weight, what about making a big pot of veg soup & chuck in some lentils for the protein?

For a quick snack between meals what about some nut butter (ie protien) on low GI oat cakes?

Agapanthus

One of the plus points about protein is that it actually suppresses the appetite slightly. They reckon that's why the Atkins diet works.

southernscouser

Just to confirm what Mr Lahey has basically said. His advice is spot on.

If you're looking at losing weight then eating a high protein/low carb diet will be ideal.

As already said, red meat should be restricted to once or twice a week, with the remainders of meals made up of chicken, turkey, fish, plenty of vegetables and salads (minus the dressings), eggs, nuts (although be aware of the calorie content of these). Turkey breasts are a good cheaper alternative to chicken. Be careful when eating potatoes. Although good for you, they are reasonably high in calories and they're so easy to eat too many. Boiled with skins on is the most healthy. Sweet potatoes are better for you aswell despite a similar calorific value (I can't remember why ).

Do not avoid fats. The right fats are essential in losing weight. Your body needs them. Starve yourself of them and your body will hold on to what you have. Let me get this right....you need saturated fats (which you get from meat, fish, egg etc) and monounsaturates (nuts, olive oil).

Basically try and eat as many A-grade foods as possible. This basically means those foods that haven't been altered or processed by man. I'll try and dig out a list of the food grading.

And cut down on your bread intake. It's lovely, but evil. If you must eat it, eat granary. I read recently that even wholemeal isn't much better than white. :undecided

motherhen2234

My protein bar recipe. Makes approx 16-18

Apologies has this has developed over the last year or so the amounts aren't 100% exact and are based on using tubs of this and part packet of others till they look right!

200g rolled oats
1 jar peanut butter (340g) (we use sainsburys basics as its a good price and reasonable peanut content etc)
6 scoops of protein powder (I use the scoop provided by myprotein. Which is approx 150g)
1 tub of quark (250g) (a zero fat cheese. we get sainsbury's)
approx 90ml Maple Syrup (we use Clarks origionals maple syrup as it has a lower GI index than some other ones)
50g Raisins (i use asda smart price)
100g ground almonds
1/4 tsp baking powder

Preheat an oven to gas mark 5.

Grease / Oil a baking tray (the sort you do tray bakes in) - make sure you do this as these can really stick.
Mix dry ingredients into a big mixing bowl
Add the maple syrup, quark and peanut butter. I find mixing them in one at a time makes it easier to mix in.
At this point you should have quite a stiff and slightly sticky doughy type mixture
Put into the baking tray and spread it out evenly.
I then use a knife just to press it a way from the edges slight (as the mixture expands and it stops sticking)

Bake for approx 20 min

You know here done when you have a clean knife and there golden brown.
Once cool cut into bars. They keep really well in an airtight container. We've had some more than 2 weeks and they've still been ok.

Enjoy !

JillS_2

I'll second what Wee Bargain Hunter said about combining 'lowerclass' protein foods to improve the protein content. An easy way to remember is combine legumes (dried peas, beans, lentils) with grains, nuts, or seeds. It's why I always throw some barley into my lentil soup.

Here's some high protein low calorie foods. Taken from Frances Moore Lappe's Diet for a Small Planet, they provide 1 gram of protein per 15 or fewer calories.
Virtually all fish & shellfish including tinned fish. Cottage cheese, lowfat milk & buttermilk, lowfat dried milk, eggs, ricotta cheese, soybean sprouts, mushrooms, tofu, chicken, turkey, lean lamb.

Providing 1 gram of protein for between 16 & 20 calories: parmesan, edam, lowfat yogurt, swiss cheese, broccoli, brussels, kale, spinach, asparagus, cauliflower, turnip greens, chard, soybeans.

Don't ignore the vegetables - OK they don't provide much protein but they also tend to be very low in calories.

I think often the main problem is the items one adds to make a nice taste - butter on veg, frying food instead of steaming, mayonnaise on salad, etc.

Magpye

Can I just point out that chicken is no longer regarded as a lean meat: here and also here. For a very low fat source of protein, white fish is likely best, but remember that you will not be getting much of the essential fats from this. I would recommend venison, which is very low fat and also high protein and iron, but as you're on a budget this is not likely to suit. Beef offal (heart, liver, and kidneys) could be a good and cheap source of iron and protein.

Wee_Bargain_Hunter

VenusFlytrap wrote: »

You can still eat steak on a budget if you like braising/stewing steak - just stick it in the slow cooker or a casserole dish in the oven with some gravy granules or a sauce mix (or make your own with stock and veg etc) and let it cook on very low for a good few hours, the meat is beautifully tender and it makes a very satisfying meal with veg and sweet potatoes (lower GI than white ones, so good if you want to lose weight - also switch to brown rice and wholemeal bread and pasta, you get full eating less of them, stay fuller for longer and they help prevent sugar cravings).

As long as you aim to eat mostly meat, fish, veg and wholegrains and go easy on the refined carbs (white bread, pasta, potatoes, rice) and sugar, you can't go far wrong and should start to lose weight and feel better generally.

I'd have to agree with all the above. Slow cookers are great for cheaper cuts of meat, soup & stews. They are very handy for a busy lifestyle. Essentially you still have all the preparation to do but you can do it at a time that suits you. For me this means that I arrive home to a nutritious meal rather than being tempted to reach for something quick & unhealthy.