Our bones, hair, blood cells, muscles, antibodies, organs, digestive enzymes, skin, tissues and hormones all depend on protein.
Research shows that getting enough protein can help support weight loss efforts by helping you feel fuller longer, but sometimes it’s tough to get enough protein into your daily diet.
Here are three suggestions to get the protein in your daily diet:
1. Beans and lentils all the way. Legumes make a perfect base for an inexpensive bowl of hearty soup or stew, a vegan option for salads and wraps or even a great base for a high fibre pasta sauce.
2. A little fish. Most of us consume less than half of the recommended weekly serving of fish, which means we’re out on nutritional benefits like omega-3s, high-quality protein and vitamin D. For example, there are several healthy, nutrient-packed ways to prepare and eat tuna. Salads are a nutritious way to combine tuna with an array of other healthy foods for a light lunch or dinner. Along with drained, canned tuna, include dark greens, such as romaine lettuce, spinach or kale, which are rich in vitamins C, E and calcium, and add cannellini beans or garbanzo beans for additional protein and fibre.
3. Go nuts. Try pre-packing nuts in small sandwich bags for an easy snack that you can keep at your desk, in your purse or in your gym bag. Spruce up your breakfast with a sprinkle of chopped nuts, adding a crunch to yogurt, oatmeal or cereal.
