HIGH PROTEIN MEALS WE ARE OBSESSED WITH

Protein Protein Protein - why on earth are we all talking about protein?

Well, for starters, if you consume high protein meals, you’re going to feel full, your metabolism will kick into gear, and - surprise surprise - your body will be way better at building and maintaining muscle. 

I’m sure there are a handful of other reasons, and if one day I feel inspired to write about protein instead of high protein meals, I may. But for now, I think what's important is the fact that protein helps us feel full, for longer. Sometimes, nothing is worse than eating a big meal, leaving the house, and then feeling hungry shortly thereafter. I like feeling satisfied after I eat, not like I should instantly be reaching for my next snack - you know?

For the longest time, I sort of just ate what felt good and didn’t really put much thought into it. I’d be hungry after eating and by the time night rolls around, I was constantly feeling like I had this hole inside of me that needed to be filled - quick.

Then, my wife told me I should try eating more protein. 

With good intention, obviously, but when you’re wife gives you obvious advice sometimes it does the opposite and all you want to do is what feels good - not what was advised (or, sometimes you want to be SO good at what people are advising that you start shoving spinach in your mouth by the handful because when she said to eat more protein that’s clearly what she meant).

After my bouts of spinach indulging and thinking I had to eat chicken breasts for breakfast, I took a step back. That’s not really what she said to me at all, it’s just what I interpreted her words to mean. 

It’s possible for me, and for you, to get enough protein to reap the benefits without simply snacking on chicken or gulping down protein powder and making the face that sometimes comes when you accidentally buy a nasty one thinking it’ll solve all your problems.

**Hint - if you’re going to consume protein powder: find one that you like and make sure it likes you, too. Protein powders come in all sorts of varieties and it’s important to find one that works for you. I can’t have whey protein, and although it tastes creamy and delicious most times, it makes me feel awful - so I, although it took me a while to admit, stopped consuming it even though it filled me up and tasted delicious. If you can have whey - go for it. If you need pea protein - have at it. If you are not the protein powder type then guess what? There are ways to pack your day full of protein - and they taste good.

This is not a blog post for vegetarians, although there are a few vegetarian meals included. I, unfortunately, can’t please all of you, so please take what you need and leave the rest - got it? Following these words you’re going to find a buffet of random high-protein meals you could eat that are high in protein (see what I did there) and none of them are my own recipes! If you don’t know me well by now, you know that I don’t have recipes. I cook with my eyes and my hands and the contents of my kitchen and I never make the same thing twice. 

If you’re like me - here are the protein sources I always have in the kitchen so that I don’t ever feel like there’s nothing in the house to eat. Somehow, with at least one (but likely about three) of these ingredients in every meal, I make sure that I’m consuming a hefty amount of protein so I don’t go to bed hungry.

• Edamame Beans

• Chickpeas

• Lentils

• Spinach fresh & frozen

• Eggs

• Protein Powder

• Quinoa

• Fish

• Greek Yogurt

• Cottage Cheese

• Any Other Cheese because cheese is delicious

• Almonds

• Pumpkin Seeds

• Firm Tofu

However, if you’re not like me and you can’t just throw a bunch of things together and create a masterpiece, here are a few recipes that will get you the same results. If I am following a recipe, these are the ones I tend to follow. My wife, being completely the opposite of me, also loves a good recipe and can vouch for how amazing and filling these are. High Protein Meals for the WIN!

Enjoy!

HOMEMADE LENTIL BURGER PATTY

I must admit, there is nothing more satisfying than a homemade burger patty especially if it’s vegetarian. To me, it’s more cost-effective and way more delicious - plus you can whip up a batch of twelve and freeze a bunch for later. These patties have been a go-to for us for a while now, and I think you’ll see why. 

• 1 cup chopped onion

• 1 cup lentils

• 2 ½ cups water

• 1 cup extra firm tofu Pressed to drain extra fluid

• 2 tablespoon ground flax seeds, divided

• 1 ¼ cups rolled oats

• 1 tablespoon raw cashews 

• 2 teaspoons vegetable Better than Bouillon

• 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast flakes

• 1 teaspoon rubbed sage

• ¼ teaspoon turmeric

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Thank you to NamelyMarley for this recipe. CLICK HERE to get all the instructions.

SUN DRIED TOMATO, SPINACH & CHEESE BAKED STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST

I know what you’re thinking, and you’re right - this is packed with protein! 45g of protein from one chicken breast. The addition of spinach, cheese, and sundried tomatoes is what helps to create such a high-protein meal!

• 6oz/180g small chicken breasts (2 pieces), boneless and skinless

• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomato

• 4 slices of mozzarella cheese (or other melting cheese of choice)

• Handfuls of spinach

• 2 tsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard

• 1 tbsp white wine vinegar or lemon juice

• 1/2 tsp sugar, any

• 2 tsp olive oil

• 1/2 tsp EACH Italian mixed herbs and red pepper flakes

• Salt & pepper

Thank you to RecipeTinEats for this recipe. CLICK HERE to get all the instructions!

WHITE BEAN TURKEY CHILI

Unlike other popular bowls of chili, this is not a tomato-based chili. I don’t specifically have anything against tomato-based dishes, in fact, I love them, but this recipe really makes me feel like there is love in a bowl. White beans for me, specifically cannellini beans, are heavenly. They’re delicious and creamy! Plus, the lime and cilantro topping of this dish are to die for.

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

• 1 large yellow onion chopped

• 2 cloves garlic minced

• 2 tablespoons chili powder

• 1 tablespoon cumin

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper

• 1 lb. lean ground turkey

• 2 cans of cannellini beans rinsed and drained

• 14.5 ounces low sodium fire-roasted diced tomatoes

• 3 cups chicken broth

• 1 lime juiced, plus more for serving

• ¼ cup freshly chopped cilantro

• salt and pepper to taste

Thank you to Flavor The Moments for this recipe. CLICK HERE to get all the instructions needed!

AUSTRALIAN CURRIED SAUSAGES

My wife made this for me the other night and honestly, I oozed with joy. It was full of flavor and without shame, I licked my plate clean! If you’re wanting to really amp up the protein, instead of serving with mashed potatoes, you could serve it with some quinoa and a spinach salad - however, does anything really beat bangers and mash? 

Go wild with this one and eat it with whatever you like, because without a doubt, you’re going to enjoy it.

• 6 beef sausages

• 1 onion thinly sliced

• 350 ml beef stock

• 1 cup green peas frozen

• 1 tbsp curry powder use Keens Curry for the best flavor

• 1 tbsp cornstarch / cornflour

• 2 tbsp water cold

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil for cooking

• Salt and pepper to taste

Thank you Wander Cooks for this delicious recipe. CLICK HERE to find all the instructions!

THAI PEANUT
NOODLE SALAD

I go mad for a salad, and it’s not because I believe I should. I genuinely love salad and find great satisfaction in the crunchy vegetables and irresistible flavors. This Thai salad is one of those salads and often we have all the ingredients prepped in the fridge so that when we’re itching for a quick lunch, we can grab everything we want, throw it in a bowl and toss it all together! I recommend not dressing your salad until you’re about to eat it - but other than that, I’m sure you won’t have any issues! If you’re the kind of person that doesn’t mind straying from a recipe - I highly recommend adding some grilled chicken or fried tofu as well because that little extra is sometimes just what you need. 

• Rice Noodles or Rice Sticks 

• Frozen Edamame

• Cabbage – purple and green for all the color

• Carrots

• Bell Pepper

• Sugar Snap or Snow Peas

• Green Onions

• Cashews

• Sesame Oil

• Fresh Herbs – Cilantro, Thai Basil, Mint (optional)

Thank you to Vanilla and Bean for this recipe. CLICK HERE to get all the details and instructions for this salad!

PUMPKIN PROTEIN PANCAKES

We used to host a weekly get-together with friends and we called it Pancake Sunday so you can say that we’re mildly obsessed with pancakes. Whether we are having our basic pancakes (our go-to are Martha Stewart Pancakes) or we are spicing it up a bit - you can really never go wrong with pancakes. My hottest pancake tip ever is to make way more than you need so you can freeze them, and take a few out whenever you’re in the need of a little pick-me-up. Frozen pancakes are GREAT in the toaster and they require little to no effort.

• 2 large eggs

• ¾ cup Greek Yogurt

• ½ cup canned pumpkin

• 1 ½ tablespoon maple syrup

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

• ½ whole wheat flour

• ¼ cup rolled oats

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 pinch or so of salt

• ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

• 20 pecan halves, chopped up nicely

Thank you Christine Byrne for this recipe. CLICK HERE for all the instructions.

APRICOT & KIWI COTTAGE CHEESE BREAKFAST BOWL

All I can say is don’t knock it until you try it. 

Cottage Cheese is an incredible source of protein and if you’re one of those people who have either only had it sweet - try it savory! Or, if you’re like me and you had for the longest time only eaten it savory, do yourself a solid and try it sweet. Please, and then thank me later. However, if you despise cottage cheese, just don’t even contemplate it as it’s one of those things that if you don’t like it, you likely just don’t like it - and that’s okay! Start with this recipe and add whatever else tickles your fancy!

• ¾ cup cottage cheese

• ¾ cup fresh raspberries, blueberries, and/or blackberries

• ¼ cup peeled and sliced kiwifruit

• ¼ cup granola

• 2 tablespoon snipped dried apricots

• 1 teaspoon chia seeds

• 2 tablespoon granola

Thanks to Better Homes & Garden for this recipe! CLICK HERE to see the original and find your incredibly simple instructions (all you need to do is put everything in a bowl).

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As always, thank you for reading today’s blog. If you have a high-protein meal that you want us to share, please let us know! If you try any of these, we’re just as interested to hear what you think!

Want to make me feel good about myself and continue to support? You know where I’ll be - right here, every Tuesday!