Some thoughts and discussions from me.
Ways to Get in MOAR Protein
Good morning 
I hope your Thursday is off to a great start! Today’s my busiest day this week, with clients and classes from 7:30am-7:30pm. I’m also planning on fitting in a workout for myself within those hours 
Yesterday morning after training a few clients, I started my afternoon full of errand running. First up was my first real acupuncture appointment. I’ve heard about acupuncture a lot from friends and clients who have gotten it, as well as from some blogs I’ve read, so I knew a little about what to expect. First we chatted for a good 45 minutes about health issues, supplements, and diet. From that, I was given a couple vitamins to take, as well as the advice to eat more protein (but in more detail) and to keep the high amount of healthy fats. I was a bit surprised to hear this, since I feel like I already do, but with my activity level and blood sugar issues, a higher protein amount will help out.
So, how does one sneak more protein into their diet? Here are some of my tips to do it:
Snacks:
- Hardboiled eggs
- organic, grass-fed beef jerky
- full fat Greek (or regular) yogurt
- organic cottage cheese
- mini meals (a small portion of leftover chicken or stirfry from dinner)
- protein bars if you’re in a pinch – Think Thin bars have 20 grams of protein to hardly any grams of sugar
- organic deli meat (I like to roll up avocado slices in it like this)
And for meals, it’s as simple as eating more protein than I’m already eating by adding organic meat and dairy products. Or adding protein into your meal – like adding eggs/whites or protein powder in oatmeal. People often think things like nut butters and legumes are protein-packed, and while they do have some, it’s fairly little, and the majority of it is carbs. Don’t get me wrong, carbs are good (and yummy!) but it’s just getting the right ratio for ones needs.
Anyway, after we chatted, she then had me lie face up on the table, where she proceeded to stick needles all over my body – on the top of my head, in my ears, on my belly, wrists, ankles, and along my calves. Weird feeling! Then she told me to try and relax and not think about anything, and left me alone with calming music and scents for 30 minutes.
For the first half, my mind was everywhere – my head was itchy, I wonder how so and so’s doing, will I be able to make a yoga class tonight? and so on. And then, about mid way through, everything just felt super relaxed. I got in this state of asleep but aware. You know how sometimes you feel your body kinda pulsing? Well I felt mine pulsing in all of the needle points. It was a pretty cool, and very relaxing feeling. Then I paid the bill and she sent me on my way!
I’m also going to do a saliva test to test for some things, which requires me not to drink coffee on that day. We all remember how the no coffee thing went, so we’ll see how that goes 
The rest of the day I ran more errands – Niko’s grooming appointment, the store to grab some stuff for clients, the bank, and then finally to yoga. In the midst, I noticed it’d been like 4 hours since lunch, and yoga would put me at 6, so I had half a bar about 45 minutes before class.
I just tried Think Thin bars for the first time the other day, and I have found a new bar to add to my love list (others: ALT larabars, Rise bars, KIND, and Chia bars. I’m sure I’m missing one.)
What are some ways you include more protein into your daily eats?
It can be tough for me some days, but I add hard boiled eggs to salads, chickpeas or black beans. Have protein shakes with suppers with I had a workout right before of course Greek yogurt.
I love Think Thin bars but we do not have them in Canada – major pout.
I have had a saliva test done too last year, it was interesting how different the results were from my blood tests.
Lindsey recently posted…What I Ate Wednesday
I love think thin bars and I loveeeeee the new ALT Larabars, I cannot get enough of them!
Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots recently posted…Post Great Grains Protein Blends Cereal: Giveaway!!
Those are some great suggestions!
Madeline @ Food Fitness and Family recently posted…Pregnant Bootcamping
I’m glad the acupuncture went well! I don’t really think about protein as much as I should. I do try to eat a protein source when having a carb heavy meal, just to avoid that shaky feeling.
Kacy recently posted…Eatin’ & Drinkin’ – Happy Hour @ Ris
Great protein suggestions! Those are all my favorite ways to add it in too. I absolutely love those new ALT Larabars too! I think I love them even more than the traditional Larabar. Clif bars another favorite of mine.
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries recently posted…Berry Cheesecake Protein Smoothie
Have you tried the Quest bars? No junk, high protein, no soy (important for me), no sugar alcohols….
The new Choc Chip Cookie Dough is Ah-maze-ing!
I’ve never tried Quest Bars! I hear a lot about them, though.
I usually go for a protein bar, or cottage cheese/greek yogurt with nuts or nut butter for a high protein snack. I love the deli meat and avocado idea though!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted…Pineapple Chicken Stirfry and Why I Need Some DQ.
we love hard boiled eggs or any eggs and protein powder for quick dosage of protein 🙂
purelytwins recently posted…making peachy sweet bread
I’ve been trying to get more protein into my diet. I do a pretty good job of getting “enough,” but I’d like to put on some muscle, so I know I need even more. I struggle, though, because I LOVE oatmeal for breakfast. I put some nut butter and Greek yogurt on top… but I know it’d be more protein efficient to start the day with egg whites or a protein shake. Sigh…
Katie H. recently posted…Martini Mile Recap
Or whole eggs! 🙂
Katie you can still have your oats! Just add your egg whites right into them right before they are done cooking. You won’t taste them I promise and they make your oatmeal practically double in size. I love them this way (I also add protein powder) and definitely something to try out 😀
Chelsea @ lil miss fitness freak recently posted…Sweet Tater Protein Pancakes
Oh boy, protein is an issue for me too. I’m slowly adding more back in (ie grass-fed beef) but it’s slow process, plus it’s harder when I’m so limited these days! I wish I could supplement with protein bars sometimes, just to take the edge off. Hopefully soon 🙂
Very interesting with the acupuncture. I’ve only had acupuncture needles at physio for a borken ankle, but I’ve never actually seen an acupuncturist. Something to think about for sure. I’ve done the saliva test too, not fun!
Christa @ Edible Balance recently posted…Finding sacred in the ordinary… and Edible Balance’s one-year blogiversary!
This was really helpful. I KNOW I need to incorporate more protein. I’m training for my first half. A couple of times a week I run before work & I don’t have a lot of time to prepare my recovery meal. I’ll have to try some of the bars. I love the deli meat & avocado idea. YUM!
Traci recently posted…Suck It Up Buttercup!
Well done for adding more proteins to your diet,.
I try to focus on concentrated protein such as red meats, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, cheese, yogurt and beans and all are very yammmmy:)
Bonie recently posted…MSA 30X Personal Sound Amplifier
i love acupuncture! it’s a weird feeling and it forces you to relax, the mind! so hard, but good, right? are you doing the candida test? that’s the only saliva test i know. haha
lindsayc recently posted…Naked Goodness: Berry Basil Lemon Vinaigrette
I agree about the legumes and nut butters.
Nut butter to me is a fat based snack vs. protein. And legumes are starchy/carb based. I don’t classify them as protein…some..but not protein.
Those think thin bars look good…but I think the ingredient list scared me off 🙂 Same with detour bars and powerbars and stuff…they LOOK great …yum…but their ingredients (often including sucralose) leaves little to be desired. You’re active though and I guess overanalyzing ingredients would drive me insane too….you do well with organic, etc though…I would if they sold it here…have to choose your battles 🙂
Although protein powders are bars are easy, I really try to only use those when I am travelling or really busy at work! Usually I rely on eggs, a reasonable amount of dairy, a little soy (not trying to overdo it with either of them), beans etc. and some meat. The usual suspects! 🙂
Who’and where is your bow necklace from? It’s beautiful!! 🙂