Whether it’s a New Year’s resolution or they're just looking to stay healthy, people are constantly looking for ways to up their progress in the gym. One thing I've learned from my years of varsity sports and staying active is how crucial protein is for your diet. It is recommended that you eat about .08 to 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight. However, it can be difficult to find high-protein foods that taste good.
Here are some easy high-protein swaps I've made on my grocery list to hit my protein goal that genuinely taste good:
Greek yogurt instead of regular yogurt
One of my favorite high-protein Greek yogurts is the OIKOS TRIPLE ZERO. Not only does one serving have 15 grams of protein, but it tastes great. There is no weird, chalky protein texture in this yogurt! It also comes in many different flavors.
Turkey sausage and turkey bacon
This one is perfect for breakfast lovers! Switch out traditional bacon or pork sausage for turkey to hit a higher amount of protein with lower fat and calories. One of my favorites is the Applegate Turkey Bacon, coming in at 5 grams of protein per slice.
Protein chips
We all crave something salty with a crunch, and what better for that than chips? There are many different brands that make high-protein chips, but Quest is my personal favorite. It contains 19g of protein per serving, which is a world of difference when compared to a brand like Lay’s, which only contains 2g per serving. Another plus is all the different flavors Quest has to offer!
Chicken breasts over chicken thighs
Chicken is an easy high-protein food to make at home, but did you know that the chicken breast has about 10 more grams of protein than the thighs? Add your favorite seasonings and you have a perfect high-protein meal!
Protein pancakes and sweets
When I crave something sweet (which is often), I like to reach for a protein pancake mix, a protein brownie mix or a protein cookie. Kodiak is one of my favorite brands that makes high-protein sweets. Their pancake and waffle mix comes in at a whopping 14 grams of protein per serving. My personal favorite—the brownie mix—contains 10 grams per serving. In my opinion, it can't get much better than that!