We’re totally on team chicken breast. It’s incredibly lean! It’s got a ton of filling protein! But every once in a while, you might get bored of chowing down on the same old bird.
Switching things up will prevent dinner boredom and ensure you’re getting a wide range of nutrients into your weekly meals. So when you can’t stomach one more piece of grilled poultry, go for these high-protein picks…
SHRIMP
Go for these satiating shellfish. Six ounces of raw shrimp (12 to 18 large shrimp) ring up 34 grams of protein, says nutritionist Martha McKittrick. “It’s also a myth that you have to avoid shrimp if you have high cholesterol,” she says. Rather than bathed in butter, enjoy them dipped in cocktail sauce to keep kJs low.
SEITAN
A half-cup of seitan—a plant-based protein derived from wheat gluten—contains about 31.5 grams of protein. “It takes on the seasonings it’s prepared with and often mimics the taste of meat or chicken dishes,” says McKittrick. While seitan doesn’t contain all of the essential amino acids that animal protein does, you can make up for that simply by eating a balanced diet throughout the day, she says. (Also, it probably goes without saying, but avoid seitan if you are gluten-sensitive.)
BARRAMUNDI
This eco-friendly, low-mercury fish is often found around Northern Australia. A portion that’s just over six ounces will net you more than 31 grams of protein. It’s also an impressive source of heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids. “I always have some in my freezer,” says Dr Jill Weisenberger. “The beauty of frozen fish fillets is that they defrost so quickly in a bowl of cold water. Once I’m out of my work clothes and ready to cook, the fillets are ready for me, too.”
THIS GREEN SMOOTHIE
You can make a protein-enhanced meal-replacement smoothie—no protein powder required—by throwing the following into a blender: one cup soymilk, one ounce pistachios, one ounce hemp seeds, one cup spinach, and one banana, says nutritionist Sharon Palmer. You’ll top out at 31 grams of protein, plus you’ll get a dose of veggies, healthful monounsaturated fatty acids, and omega 3s, plus complex carbs. Now that’s a power drink.
COTTAGE CHEESE
A big bowl of cottage cheese (about 1 1/4 cups) offers up 35 grams of protein. “This is a great option because it’s so versatile,” says Weisenberger. Go sweet by mixing in fruit and nuts, or savory with tomatoes, fresh basil, and a few cracks of black pepper, she suggests. To pick the best-for-you brand, says Weisenberger, look for those without fillers like modified food starch to get the most protein per serving.
TOFU STIR FRY
Toss together three ounces of super-firm tofu, one cup chopped broccoli, one-ounce almonds, and one cup of cooked wheat berries for 36 grams of protein, says Palmer. The tofu is the heavy hitter here, supplying 11 grams of protein, but even broccoli offers some (nearly three grams!).
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