Grocery store shelves are stacked with convenient, protein-ified snacks, from bars to soda. But how much should you rely on them if you're trying to avoid ultra-processed foods? For Rob Hobson, a sports nutritionist, the answer is simple: it's "very, very easy" to consume enough protein without relying on UPFs, which are linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease when eaten in large amounts.
Getting enough protein in your diet is essential for building muscle, repairing bones, and basically getting through the day. But if you're left feeling a little cold by protein shakes and low-fat cottage cheese, a bowl of chicken and broccoli soup can be just as high in protein but a whole lot more comforting. Chicken is famously high in protein, but the exact amount can depend on which cut you choose.
Usually, people are either in the French toast or pancake camp when it comes to breakfast, but there's no denying that a good waffle just really hits the spot every so often. Sweet, satisfying, and totally customizable, waffles can be a morning-time hero when prepared the right way, and there's one ingredient you can utilize to give them a quick protein boost: chickpeas.
On strength training days, I chug a gloopy concoction of protein powder, higher-protein Fairlife milk, and coffee that has the consistency of drying cement and tastes like I forgot how to love myself. I mix cottage cheese in my eggs and top my berry oatmeal with chia seeds and peanut butter, my head buzzing with all the high-protein swaps I need to make to hit my target protein goal - a whopping daily minimum of 53 grams.
Sisters but not twins, chia seed pudding and overnight oats offer convenient, nutrition-forward, make-ahead options for a fueling breakfast during busy mornings. Both dishes consist of dry ingredients hydrated in a dairy component to become texturally soft, rich, and creamy. But, just as each dish provides its own tasting profile and mouthfeel, each also comes with its own respective health benefits. When it comes to nutrition, overnight oats win for protein and chia seed pudding wins for fiber.
First off, one serving of canned sardines has almost 100% of the daily recommended intake of omega-3s, which are associated with tons of positive health benefits. Omega-3 fatty acids are good for heart health, and known to help prevent things like hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver. What's even better is that research suggests that the other nutrients and minerals found in sardines - including calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc - may work together with omega-3s to produce better results than supplements alone.
Protein provides the building blocks of our organs and body, and that it's essential to improve the immune system. It's also used to make neurotransmitters, can function as hormones or can provide fuel through glucogenic or ketogenic pathways.
Being given a pint without a nice thick foamy head is a common cause of frustration for pub-goers. But according to a new study, it might not be due to bar staff botching the pour. Scientists in Switzerland and the Netherlands have found that the stability of beer foam is due to a protein present in the liquid. And this protein tends to be more abundant in 'triple-fermented' beers, which are especially popular in Belgium.
When visiting Wendy's, it's essential to know that not all secret menu items are universally available. Items like the T-Rex Burger can exceed typical protein goals but might catch some workers off guard.
