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I'm a dietitian. Here are 5 of my favorite high-protein breakfast ideas.

Bowl of yogurt topped with fruit on cutting board
Greek yogurt bowls are one of my favorite easy ways to get more protein into my diet in the morning.

EMS-FORSTER-PRODUCTIONS/Getty Images

  • As a dietitian, I love protein-packed breakfasts and always try to eat protein in the morning.
  • I like having Greek yogurt bowls, overnight oats, or smoothies on when I don't want to cook.
  • Sometimes, I reheat parts of my dinner leftovers for breakfast to hit my protein goals.

As a busy dietitian, having protein at breakfast is non-negotiable for me. In fact, I view it the same way as brushing my teeth in the morning.

Getting enough protein is important for one's overall health and well-being. It can help with stabilizing blood-sugar levels, building muscle, regulating appetite, and more.

Although having protein with every meal is ideal, getting enough of it at breakfast is especially important. By doing so, you can feel more satisfied with your meal and have more energy throughout the day.

Here are the easiest ways I incorporate protein into my breakfasts.

Greek yogurt is my favorite no-cook food to get enough protein in the morning.
A bowl of yogurt with granola, figs and banana.
Greek yogurt with granola and fruit is an easy breakfast.

Rachel Hosie

I try to always have Greek yogurt in my fridge to use as a base for a protein-packed breakfast.

I usually choose options from the Oikos Pro brand, which has flavored yogurts with at least 20 grams of protein and no added sugar. Sometimes, I even just use a plain, nonfat Greek yogurt.

Either way, I top my yogurt with whatever fruit I have on hand, sunflower-seed butter, and a bit of granola. This combination keeps me full for hours.

Protein-packed overnight oats are easy to prepare in advance.
Overnight oats topped with fruit in jars
Overnight oats are easy to customize with different toppings.

AnnaPustynnikova/Getty Images

Overnight oats are fantastic for fueling me through the day. I like to prepare a few batches at the start of the week so that I can grab them quickly on fast-paced mornings.

I make mine with oats, ground flax seeds, milk, Greek yogurt, vanilla, and protein powder. After mixing those ingredients together and allowing them to sit overnight, I top my oats with fruit the next day and enjoy.

Loaded cereal is a fun way to practice balance in the morning.
Bowl of cereals in milk
I try to buy high-protein cereals that I can add toppings to.

Tatiana Maksimova/Getty Images

Cereal is rarely filling on its own. Many varieties primarily consist of carbohydrates, which can leave us feeling unsatisfied soon after eating.

I don't eat cereal often, but when a craving hits, I try to honor it while packing in protein to prevent a blood-sugar crash later in the day.

First, I start with a higher protein cereal. Before adding my milk, I use a frother to mix a scoop of protein powder into it. Then, I top my bowl with fruit and ground flax seeds.

I get that nostalgic cereal taste while also providing my body with extra protein and fuel.

Smoothies can be surprisingly filling depending on what you put into them.
Fruits inside blender
I usually add a scoop of protein powder to my smoothies or use Greek yogurt as my base.

Xsandra/Getty Images

I wouldn't have a smoothie without protein for breakfast, but the good news is that it's super easy to make sure it's in there. I like using protein powder or Greek yogurt.

If you find it hard to eat in the morning yet want to get some nutrition in, try adding more protein to your usual smoothie to make it feel more satisfying.

Sometimes, I just repurpose dinner leftovers for breakfast.
Wooden bowl of rice and beef and greens
Last night's dinner could be today's protein-packed breakfast.

Luc TEBOUL/Getty Images

There's no rule that breakfast needs to be eggs, toast, or other traditional foods many of us associate with the first meal of the day.

In my house, it's normal to heat up leftovers from the night before and eat them the next morning. Plus, it's convenient and a nice way to avoid food waste.

My typical dinners usually feature chicken, lean beef, or salmon, which makes it super easy for me to hit my protein target.

Leftovers can also be easy to customize and turn into a new dish by adding eggs, seasonings, veggies, or hot sauces.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I'm a dietitian who shops at Trader Joe's. Here are 8 things I'm buying this month to eat more protein and fiber.

composite image of egg wraps form trader joes and salmon burgers from trader joes
Trader Joe's has a number of products that make it easy for me to get enough protein and fiber.

Shyla Cadogan

  • As a dietitian, I prioritize protein and fiber to stay full and keep my blood-sugar levels stable.
  • Trader Joe's has a stellar selection of simple foods that help me eat more protein and fiber.
  • The precooked lentils, frozen salmon burgers, and marinated chicken thighs make meals easy.

As a registered dietitian, protein and fiber are two of my top nutrition priorities because they help me stay full and promote balanced blood-sugar levels.

Trader Joe's is one of my favorite places to shop when I need to stock my kitchen with easy, filling foods that pack both nutrients.

Here are some of my favorite things to buy at Trader Joe's.

Frozen edamame is the ultimate snack.
hand holding up a bag of frozen shelled edamame
Trader Joe's sells edamame in pods and shelled edamame.

Shyla Cadogan

When I want a filling snack that has lots of nutritional value, I opt for frozen edamame. Trader Joe's sells bags of the legume both in the pod and shelled.

It's convenient for a quick snack, but it also makes for a delicious addition to Asian-inspired rice bowls.

One serving contains about 8 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber.

The store's egg wraps are a protein-rich vehicle for fillings.
hand holding up a package of egg wraps from trader joes
Trader Joe's egg wraps have a neutral flavor, so they go well with a lot of things.

Shyla Cadogan

Trader Joe's egg wraps are my favorite option for a higher-protein alternative to tortillas.

They taste pretty neutral, so they take on the flavor of whatever you choose to fill them with. Some days I use them for savory meals such as tacos, and other times, I use them as a base for a sweet snack of Greek yogurt and jam.

Two wraps contain 8 grams of protein.

Plain Greek yogurt is great for breakfast bowls and homemade sauces.
hand holding up a container of greek yogurt at trader joes
I buy plain Greek yogurt, but Trader Joe's also sells flavored varieties.

Shyla Cadogan

It may not be the most exciting thing on the list, but Trader Joe's plain, nonfat Greek yogurt is essentially pure protein. One serving contains 17 grams.

I often use it as a base for breakfast bowls to help keep me full and energized for my day.

Greek yogurt is also a great creamy base for homemade sauces. I like to make a burger sauce with yogurt, ketchup, mustard, and chopped pickles.

Trader Joe's steamed lentils are a game changer.
hand holding up a box of steamed lentils at trader joe's
Trader Joe's steamed lentils are ready-to-eat.

Shyla Cadogan

Trader Joe's steamed lentils are excellent because they're already cooked. That means I can get all of the wonderful nutritional benefits of eating legumes without the effort of soaking and cooking them.

I like to prepare a lentil salad with cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and Greek dressing for an easy and satisfying lunch. I also enjoy popping them in the microwave and plating them up as a simple side dish for a warm dinner.

Each serving packs 10 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber.

Rolled oats are a pantry staple.
hand holding up a bag of rolled oats from trader joes
Trader Joe's rolled oats are gluten-free.

Shyla Cadogan

Trader Joe's rolled oats are a must-have in my pantry. I love that they have 5 grams of fiber per serving.

They're super easy to whip together in just a few minutes and are an awesome base for whatever flavors you like โ€” sweet or savory.

If I'm going sweet, I like to add vanilla protein powder to bolster the 6 grams of protein in each serving of the oats.

Shawarma chicken thighs elevate my typical weeknight dinners.
hand holding upa. package of shwarma chicken thighs at trader joe's
I like that Trader Joe's shawarma chicken thighs come pre-marinated, so they're ready to cook.

Shyla Cadogan

Chicken is my protein of choice at dinner, but preparing it in the same few ways can get boring.

Trader Joe's marinated shawarma chicken thighs help me switch things up, thanks to the savory and delicious spice blend.

They pack 21 grams of protein per serving and pair well with rice, salad, and hummus for a satisfying yet balanced meal.

I pick up Trader Joe's chicken meatballs once a week.
hand holdign up a pack of chicken meatballs at trader joes
Trader Joe's chicken meatballs come precooked.

Shyla Cadogan

The store's chicken meatballs are high in protein and flavor.

I like to throw them in a pasta dish or pop them into the air fryer to serve with rice and a veggie. They're fully cooked, so all I have to do is heat them through.

A serving of four meatballs contains a whopping 16 grams of protein.

The chain's premium salmon burgers are one of my top picks for a low-effort lunch.
hand holding upa. box of frozen salmon burgers at trader joe's
I can quickly whip up one of Trader Joe's salmon burgers for lunch.

Shyla Cadogan

If you want to eat more seafood but don't want a dish that tastes too fishy, try Trader Joe's frozen salmon burgers. Each patty has 15 grams of protein.

I like that they don't need to be thawed before cooking, which makes things easier on busy work-from-home days when I need a quick lunch.

After cooking the patty on the stovetop, I assemble my burger with arugula, red onion, and some sort of sauce.

Click to keep reading Trader Joe's diaries like this one.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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