Protein in your diet

[pizzawinecake]

I know I'm not eating enough protein and I'm having way too many carbs (basically my username is my life). I'm vegetarian.

Looking for ideas to increase protein that don't just involve lots of protein powder or fake meat.

Actual meat? Eggs, Cheese

Pulses, Greek yoghurt and Skyr, cheese, bread - wholemeal seeded has the highest protein content relative to carbs, eggs, edamame beans.

I've recently been trying to lower my carbs and raise protein, and it struck me how hard it would be as a vegetarian. I eat very little meat usually but have had to increase my intake particularly of fish, but also lean chicken, just to get anywhere near my protein exceeding my carbs.

Some veggie protein options are avocado, eggs, cottage cheese (protein levels vary so check these), regular cheese, greek yoghurt, edemame beans, tofu. You can also buy high protein pasta made from either pea or lentil protein. Legumes are also good. I eat quite a bit of halloumi which isn't ideal due to the salt and fat, but I do feel it makes a meal feel more filling if you're not having carbs.

I'm planning to get pregnant again and had pre eclampsia in my last pregnancy. I've seen some research linking avoiding pre eclampsia with higher protein intake but I'm finding it hard as a life long veggie who doesn't have a taste for meat.

I'm finding that veggie options just don't have anywhere near the amount of protein in a bit of say chicken, and finding it quite disheartening to get to at least 80g a protein a day on a veggie diet

It’s very difficult to get lots of protein on a veggie diet without having lots of processed food.

Greek yoghurt, nuts, seeds, lentils and beans.

Nuts and seeds. Can be added to pretty much anything for added protein, good fats and trace minerals - add to salad, soup, curry, pasta, stir fry, risotto, baking…

90% dark chocolate from Waitrose has 1g of protein per square. And it's tasty!

Also sunflower seeds, chickpeas, lentils etc.

I like Biotful Quark Kefir which has 30g protein per pot and no added sugar/sweetener.

I usually have overnight oats for breakfast with Greek yogurt, nuts & seeds & fruit. Something with pulses and / or tofu & veg for lunch & something like homemade sourdough rolls for tea, with almond butter & cheese. There’s a reasonable amount of protein in there.

I'm doing it for pretty much the same reason OP. It does feel quite restrictive but I keep telling myself it's not forever. That said, I do think a bit more focus on a good diet isn't a bad thing. I did see a Dominos advert the other day though and was literally salivating 😩

Doing it veggie will be hard. I think you need to do really good meal planning, but also add in some key high protein snacks to help bump your protein up. But also keep an eye out for things marketed as high protein, some of them actually aren't as good as say just a bowl of Greek yogurt with some fruit and nuts.

Nuts, seeds, lentils, chickpeas, lack beans, egg, greek yogurt, tofu, quinoa.