Darkangeline's Journal, 11 January 2012

I'm trying to boost my protein to 30-35% too! I bought some whey protein, and not the jock kind at the grocery store that has a bunch of garbage and sugar in it. I bought 100% pure whey protein from a health food store, with ONE ingredient, just whey. I had to hunt for it and read labels, but I did find it. I paid $30 for a giant jug of it. I blend a 1/4 cup scoop of it with 8 oz nonfat milk, and voila! 160 calories, over TWENTY grams of protein! Less than 13g carbs, and less than 2g fat. I've discovered that almost all the protein bars I've found, even the ones in the health food stores, are just glorified candy bars. All the added protein doesn't do any good if there is just as many added carbs and preservatives. Also, I boil eggs and eat hard boiled eggs constantly, even with the yolks. I know some people aren't egg people, but if you like eggs, they make the perfect snack on the go. Put them in a baggie and then put the shells in the baggie when you're ready to eat it. Other stuff I always have: I buy whole young chickens for less than a dollar a pound and I put one in the crock pot on low and pick at it for a couple days, it's cheaper than buying the pieces individually and I use the chicken stock for cooking other things or for making vegetable soup. I also put tuna, canned salmon, or egg on everything. If I want a bagel as a treat, I cut it in half, and make an open faced sandwich. I don't eat nuts very often. They are too expensive and too high in calories. If I do buy any I get them bulk at Winco (I live in the Northwest, I don't know if you have a store like that where you are), and I get the raw nuts, which have more nutrients available to your body than roasted nuts. Almonds are cheaper and are healthier nuts than others. Walnuts are also good. I will just put about a tablespoon on top of a salad for flavor and texture, and that's it. (My sister is a nutritionist, in case you're wondering what I'm even doing on this site...you can lead a horse to water! LOL I've always known WHAT to eat, I just haven't chosen that path for myself until I stepped on the scale and my best friend who one year ago was 100 pounds heavier than me weighed 10 pounds more than me. She's been working, I haven't. Let's just say we're back on track, and it's fun to do this together!) Anyway, best of luck to you! I know that for me, the more things I buy 'ready to eat' the easier it is for me, but I draw the line at shelf stable. Right now, the only things that I'm eating that don't need to be refrigerated are oatmeal and whole grains like brown rice. I'm trying to eat every two hours, no more than 150 calories per mini-meal, with at least 10g protein. I am trying to eat a bigger 400-500 calorie dinner with at least 20g protein. Chicken is your friend. :) Also, I take vitamins. D, B-Complex, Omega, and a Women's Multi. I think it helps, with mood, and I'm a mood eater so when I feel better I don't eat as much. Most Americans are D deficient, even if they think they get enough time in the sun. My son took D every day and was still coming up low on lab tests (he has medical issues so he gets things like that tested). Anyway ask your doctor, but I take 3000 IU a day, along with B-vitamins and Omegas, which also help your mood. Well I hope you get something that works out of this novel I just wrote! Haha, good luck to you! You can do it! Don't give up!