With all of this talk of buying the right meats from the right places or how they’re raised and processed, it gets to be almost too much work to get it right. As a society, we’re more informed than ever when it comes to knowing where our food comes from. And for a lot of us, we’re not loving the answer when we think about how all of this packaged meat gets from point A to B. My two cents: go to a farmer’s market that has fresh, grass fed/grass finished beef and pastured raised chicken. IF that’s not available, maybe it’s time to look elsewhere for your protein supply.
Go Nuts
On your path to seeking protein elsewhere, the first stop is the nut family. Along with natural proteins, heart-healthy fatty acids and vitamins A & E are found in most common nuts. Adding nuts to your diet can take so many different forms as well. You can grate them, grind them up, toast or dice them, and of course, just eat them as is! With the endless varieties, it’s impossible not to find a way that works for your palette. Keep in mind that nuts are packed with both protein AND calories because of the healthy omega 3 fats. But no worries, there are other forms of protein out there.
Beans There, Doing That
Let’s talk legumes. That’s your black beans, your dried peas, your lentils. Legumes are stuffed to the pod with protein while also providing your daily source of fiber and iron. In just a cup of legumes, there’ll be about 15 grams of protein, depending specifically on the exact legume of choice. And just like nuts, this food group knows no bounds. Whether it’s soups, chilies, pasta, or even makings dips, it’s super easy to find something yummy that works for you, WITH you.
The Other “White” Meat (okay, it’s orange!)
Usually, when you replace meat with another source of protein, you’re wanting to keep the healthy nutrients as well. Enter the underwater world of all things salmon (wild-caught, not farm-raised). Stuffed to the gills with protein plus those wonderful Omega 3 fatty acids, this little flipper keeps its calories down so you can have a couple more bites. Add a little lemon and asparagus when cooking and there you go: fruit, veggie, and protein all in one.
No one’s saying to cut meat out altogether, more, consider that isn’t the only way to get your protein fix. All the powders and muscle milks aside as well, there are so many ways for your body to get exactly what it needs, au naturel.
If you are interested in further learning about alternative protein sources, leave a comment below or book a free consult with me HERE!
To your health,
Patti
