Surprising Ways to Sneak in Protein
You are sabotaging your own weight loss efforts if you’re not getting in enough protein. Protein helps fight hunger, boost metabolism, and stabilize blood sugar and energy levels. It is one of the most important nutrients after weight loss surgery for helping you recover and stay healthy.
Meat, chicken, fish, turkey, eggs, and dairy products are all great sources, but what if you’re sick of them? No worries! Here are some surprising ways to sneak in protein, and they’re all available at The BariatricPal Store!
Weight Loss Cereal, Oatmeal, and Pancakes
A high-protein breakfast may be just what the doctor ordered, but eggs can get a little boring after a while. BariatricPal breakfasts can hit the spot when you need a little break. These breakfasts are high-protein, low-carb versions of carb-heavy, calorie-laden favorites. They are ready to eat or take only seconds to whip up. Try:
-Cold cereal such as cinnamon vanilla, cocoa, and honey nut with only 120 calories and 15 grams of protein. Have it dry or use almond or skim milk and fruit for a complete breakfast.
-Hot oatmeal in Maple Brown Sugar, Peaches & Cream, and Apple Cinnamon with 100 calories and 14 grams of protein. If you like, top with pecans or fruit.
-Chocolate Chip, Golden Delicious, and Blueberry Protein Pancakes with 90-110 calories and 15 grams of protein. Make it a meal with Greek vanilla yogurt as a topping plus some fruit on the side!
Protein Snacks
A high-protein snack can satisfy hunger and make your snack go further, but crunchy snack choices like chips and pretzels typically scream “Carbs!” Those starchy foods can make you overeat, increase starch cravings, and cause even more hunger in an hour when your blood sugar drops.
How can you satisfy your crunch cravings without giving up on your weight loss hopes? Grab a single-serving bag of BariatricPal snacks such as Pretzel Twists with 120 calories, 12 grams of protein, and only 7 grams of net carbs.
You can also choose your favorite flavor of chips, without worries about the trans fat and starch in regular potato chips. Whether you opt for Sour Cream and Onion, Barbecue, Honey Mustard, or Cheddar Cheese Protein Chips, you’re making the decision to give yourself at least 10 grams of protein.
Cream and Broth-Based Soup and Bouillon
Soup has long been known for the comfort it brings, for its warmth, and for its familiar flavors. Now, you can add something else to the list of benefits from soup: protein. Most BariatricPal Protein Soups and Bouillons have 15 grams of protein and 100 or fewer calories per cup. Use them on the pre-op and post-op liquid diets, or keep them in your rotation as you keep losing weight towards your goal weight. A few of the favorite flavors are Chicken with Pasta, Cream of Tomato, Cream of Mushroom, and Broccoli and Cheddar.
Desserts
Dessert as a protein-packed choice that won’t break the calorie bank? Who knew? We told you these were some surprising choices for protein!
Have a mid-day snack break with chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, or other great-tasting BariatricPal Protein Cookies, or finish off a successful weight loss day with high-protein, low-sugar Cakes such as Double Chocolate or Creamy Cheesecake. What a way to celebrate your new weight loss proten finds!
It’s tough to get enough protein…unless you know where to look! The BariatricPal Store is the right place, with plenty of high-protein foods and snacks that can satisfy hunger and keep you losing weight. Have fun browsing!
