Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Really struggling to get protein, help please?

265 replies

user1465023742 · 04/06/2016 08:08

Really desperate for some help about my food. I'm having a problem getting enough protein. Protein is the only thing that fills me up properly but I have a very limited budget as I'm on disability benefits and I just can't afford to eat meat or fish every day. I can't eat cheese because I have migraines. Quorn is out because I'm allergic to mushrooms, I can't have eggs because I'm allergic to the white so things like omlettes and scrambled eggs are out. That leaves lentils, which I do like, but the only way I know how to make them is in things like bolognese which i can't have because I'm allergic to tomatoes.

I'm really really struggling and surviving on carbs, which are just making me fatter and fatter and I'm constantly hungry because carbs leave me starving after 2 hours. What can I do?

OP posts:
dynevoran · 06/06/2016 12:53

Can you eat fish sticks? They are a good cheap protein source.

user1465023742 · 06/06/2016 13:04

Sorry, so many answers on the thread Im finding it hard to keep up.

I've looked at the a girl called jack site, that's where I got the daal recipe from. It's great. So cheap and healthy-looking! Unfortunately a lot of her stuff is either tomato or mushroom based, neither of which I can have, but I've made a note of some of the ones that aren't.

Yes, I can eat fish, the problem is affording it regularly - I like salmon for example but god it's expensive. I've not tried many of the white fish options except thigns like cod in breadcrumbs which I'm trying to avoid as they're processed. Fish sticks are a good solution, I've done them before with a jacket spud and it's quite nice.

I've had my blood sugar checked quite a lot and it's always been normal. Oddly my best friend is a type-1 diabetic - she barely ever feels hunger, actually, but she gets dizzy and shaky when she's low. My blood sugar always comes back normal.

Re protein shakes - I've got Huel at home and I really like it, that's got pea protein and flaxseed and husk and stuff in it but again, the amount of calories worth of it I need to take to make me not-passing-out-hungry means I'm taking in too many calories to lose any weight.

I haven't "self-diagnosed" anything. It's very very easy to tell what triggers a migraine or what causes agonising stomach pain. Saying I've "self diagnosed" it sounds like an implication that I'm making it up or that it's all in my head, which I haven't. I also have EDS, in which food intolerances are well-known. Please can people leave that line of questioning be, it's becoming distressing. I'm not making this up. I just want to not be starving hungry within the parameters of the food I can actually eat.

OP posts:
SolomanDaisy · 06/06/2016 13:29

I didn't mean to upset you with 'self-diagnosis', but if you have diagnosed them yourself rather than a medical professional having diagnosed them, then it seemed an appropriate description. Have you been seeing a Dr about your migraines or about your food intolerance in general?

From the sound of it you would be best off concentrating on finding a relatively healthy diet which stabilises your hunger and fits with your food restrictions. Then worry about calories after that.

user1465023742 · 06/06/2016 13:37

I see Drs all the time because of my EDS (migraines are part of it). Again, I was referred to a dietician but not for the intolerances bt for weight loss which was absolutely useless because all they did was tell me what i already knew - lean meat veggies restrict carbs etc - useless because of the hunger and the money and the intolernances. I did ask once for proper allergy testing and was told that youre not referred for that unless you've had an anaphylaxic reaction because of funding. Because mine are migraine triggers (tomatoes, dairy, cheese etc) and the four that cause really bad stomach pain (bananas, mushrooms, avocados and eggs), it doesn't come under allergies, but food triggers for migraines are incredibly common.

That's what i've been trying to do, but it's just impossible to do so when all you can find to eat that even vaguely fills you up is carbs and you're putting on more weight. That's why I posted for help re the protein sources.

OP posts:
disappoint15 · 06/06/2016 13:56

A quick Google has thrown up the following:

Tesco Everyday Value 520g frozen white fish fillets £1.70.
Tesco Sardines in brine or sunflower oil 120g 40p
Glenrycke Pilchards in brine 400g £1.09 - you could make a big pilchard pie with this with sweet potato or swede mash (£1 for a large swede, 50p for a turnip, 33 p for a sweet potato. You could add carrot which at 6p a carrot is a bargain)

To be honest (and I have read the thread) it seems that you have been given lots of helpful advice. It's not difficult to find frozen white fish or tinned sardines without tomato sauce so I'm surprised you haven't noticed them.

Also, when people say that ravenous hunger of the type you describe suggests a medical condition, they are being honest. If I had 4 slices of wholemeal toast for breakfast (and I couldn't manage more than 2 anyway on a normal day) I certainly wouldn't feel as if I were about to faint an hour and a half later, which is why people are suggesting a more complicated medical condition and that trying to get a referral to a proper dietician and allergist might be useful.

KindDogsTail · 06/06/2016 13:58

If you go to a middle eastern super markets you find very large bags of all sorts of pulses very very cheaply. Those that need soaking first you could soak and cook in batches then freeze them ready to eat.

They would also have large bags of almonds cheaper than in other places.

Many pulses are now sold in tins quite cheaply.

Look up Indian recipes and middle eastern recipes as there many using these ingredients.

Pulses are lovely plain with lemon juice and a little olive oil, salt and pepper. A bowl of that and a green vegetable and you wouldn't feel hungry for hours.

You can add a tin of lentils to any soup to make it have more protein.

If you look on - line try Edinburgh Real Foods - you could get Hemp protein powder, or brown rice protein powder cheaper than in a Health food shop.
If you, or a friend has a spice/coffee grinder you could also get linseeds from somewhere like them and grind them up. You can buy them ground but it is cheaper to do it yourself.
You could then use these to boost the protein in say porridge.

You could also get oats and all sorts of other things cheaper and better than in a supermarket from a source like Edinburgh Real Foods.

Large bags of frozen peas and spinach and broccoli are cheaper and would give you vegetables high in protein.

Whole grain bread.

also see the linked lists below.

Do you drink milk? If so you could drink some milk. Also if you got live greek yogurt you could make your own more cheaply.

They deliver free over £50. That may be too much for you if you do not have that cash in one go. But what you got would be much more than a week's worth of food. If you cannot could you get an order with a friend and have it delivered to one of you.

Here is a vegan list and I am sure you could find others. I don't think these are on your list of things you cannot eat.
www.onegreenplanet.org/natural-health/vegan-sources-of-protein/

www.livestrong.com/article/464972-protein-whole-grain-bread/

user1465023742 · 06/06/2016 14:00

I've never eaten them so why would I have noticed them, though? I didn't evne know they existed so I wouldnt know to look for them. That's exactly why I posted for help yet somehow I'm now being criticised for not knowing what to look for in the shops too? That's why I posted for help, because I don't know this stuff. I've never had a sardine or a pilchard in my life. Frozen white fish, sure, but I have no idea what to do with it and all the recipes I've found for things like that tend to be tomato based.

Genuinely genuinely have tried to get referrals in the past but all I come up against is "restrict your carbs to lose weight", evident very much on this thread so it's not so much of a stretch to imagine that that's all I get from dieticians too, is it.

OP posts:
FurryDogMother · 06/06/2016 14:03

I've been trying to think of cheap sources of protein - Tesco do 750g of minced turkey for £3.50, 1kg of frozen minced beef for £3.25, 500g of frozen minced lamb for £2.75, and I often buy a half side of fresh salmon for £6 (can stretch to 6 servings). Sardines in brine or sunflower oil are 40p a tin, and frozen 'every day value' fish fillets are £1.70 for 520g. 20 seafood sticks are £1, and packs of 5 frozen fish fillets are between £3 and £3.50 depending on what type of fish you choose. There's also a special offer on fresh soups at the moment - 600g of soup for £1, loads of different ones to choose from.

Those are all Tesco prices (was easiest to look those up as it's where I do my online shopping, mostly), but am sure other supermarkets have similarly priced items - does that help at all? You could have sardines on wholemeal toast for breakfast, some kind of mince and onions with a baked potato for lunch, fish and salad or other veg for dinner? Drain the fat off of the mince if you're really worried about it, but to be honest, I agree with others who have said that low carbing's the best and easiest way to control your weight, and the fat helps with flavour and satiety. (Yes, I realise my menu suggestions above are not low carb, but then the OP has said repeatedly that she doesn't think that way of eating would work for her, so I did my best to stick to what she has said she can, and would, eat).

user1465023742 · 06/06/2016 14:04

But.. what do I do with all that stuff? I genuinely have looked up recipes, I like indian food for example, but most of it is tomato based.

I already do eat wholemeal bread, but it leaves me starving hungry, and people keep saying I shouldn't have it and I need to stop carbs! Conflicting advice, what am I supposed to do? Eat ten slices so I'm not hungry and gain two pound? I don't understand.

No, I don't drink milk, as i've said several (thousand) times on the thread dairy is one of my biggest migraine triggers. I can get away with a splash in tea or a spoonful of yoghurt mixed through a curry or something but if I ate yoghurt for breakfast in quantity I'd be flat on my back for a week.

OP posts:
disappoint15 · 06/06/2016 14:05

Sorry, didn't mean to sound critical; it's just that people are giving you lots good advice and you seem a little defensive about why you can't do most of the suggestions. And a dietician might be able to help find out why you are suffering from this extreme hunger which doesn't sound normal, that's all.

KindDogsTail · 06/06/2016 14:06

Sorry, I was worrying about what you can't eat and forgot you didn't mention meat/fist as being off the list.

Supermarkets have economy bags of very good white fish/ It really is cheap and very good and without bones. Sardines are wonderful protein and very cheap. Tins of tuna too.

Sugar can make you feel hungry/have headaches so try to make your own food so you choose what you put in it, and chose your own sweetness when you want it.

Aspartamine causes hunger/headaches some people think so avoid diet drinks with that.

BitOutOfPractice · 06/06/2016 14:07

User I'm going to say this really gently but blimey you are ever so prickly and defensive and people are genuinely trying to help! Some people have types loads to help, providing links and support and all that comes back is bristling from you!

If people aren't posting the answers you want, it's not because they are trying to piss you off, maybe they are in a hurry and not had chance to read beyond your OP before diving in.

Clearly food is becoming a real issue for you Sad

KindDogsTail · 06/06/2016 14:08

apart gfrom not eating enough protein and vegetables, tiredness, chronic stress and too much caffeine as well as sugar can cause hunger too.

CiderwithBuda · 06/06/2016 14:09

What type of porridge have you had? Quick cook porridge is basically dust. The traditional long cook stuff is much better. Flahavans or Scots Porage Oats. As KindDogs suggested you could add ground flaxseeds to it and maybe a scoop of your protein powder.

Have you had reactions to goats or sheeps cheese too or only cows? DS was allergic to dairy for a while but was fine with goats and sheeps cheese.

You can get yoghurt made from goats milk too.

You could make a bean dip of some sort and have that in whole grain toast. Could be nice and filling.

The tuna and bean salad mentioned up the thread is lovely. I often make a bowl of tuna and mayo with kidney beans, chopped peppers and cucumber and red onion. Tasty and filling.

disappoint15 · 06/06/2016 14:11

Sardines, onions, garlic, raisins and pine nuts with pasta or mixed through with brown rice.
Sardines on toast.
Fish grilled with breadcrumbs on top, served with potato/pasta/rice and green veg (cabbage is really cheap and filling, peas are cheap).
Fish served with a lentil stew.
Roast veg without tomatoes served with fish - a few olives and herbs add lots of flavour.
You can make a "nomato sauce" for pasta or fish - you can look up recipes online but they often include carrots, celery, beetroot etc.

KindDogsTail · 06/06/2016 14:12

"I like indian food for example, but most of it is tomato based"

No it absolutely isn't mostly tomato based.

I cannot post recipes for you there are thousands. Also all you would need to do is leave out anything like tomatoes you do not like.

You can make anything you want to without the ingredients you mentioned.

CiderwithBuda · 06/06/2016 14:14

When you say wholemeal bread what do you mean? Some so called wholemeal breads are just white bread dyed brown. A seeded bread would be better if you can do seeds.

KindDogsTail · 06/06/2016 14:17

I already do eat wholemeal bread, but it leaves me starving hungry, and people keep saying I shouldn't have it and I need to stop carbs! Conflicting advice, what am I supposed to do? Eat ten slices so I'm not hungry and gain two pound? I don't understand

Forget the bread then. I mentioned it as one of very many sources of protein. Lots of people do not eat bread now. They feel their bodies do not do well on it. You may be the same. Join the throng.

I don't eat bread at all usually but I have a lot of protein none the less, and I have already tried to tell you what it is.

FurryDogMother · 06/06/2016 14:25

OK, so it sounds as though you're very inexperienced at cooking - and of course we could all spend ages typing out recipes for you to try - but quite honestly, Google is your friend here - I frequently look at the contents of my fridge and wonder what on earth to do with them, but 10 mins Googling always throws up a suitable recipe. As far as the low carbing goes - have a look at Low Carb Friends - a simply massive forum dedicated to all things low carb, and full of experienced low carbers - you'll get loads of advice if you post there :)

whitershadeofpale · 06/06/2016 14:25

The bottom line if that if you want to lose weight you're going to have to have a diet that's either:

High carb and low fat- you claim you can't do this as it makes you ravenously hungry.

High fat and low carb- you claim you can't do this either (no real reason except you presume it would cost more and are opposed to the idea of fat).

The simple fact is that you are going to have to change your attitude one way or another. Life has dealt you a shitty hand with disabilities and food intolerances but there are lots of people willing to help you if you'd open your mind a little. And for God's sake learn to cook, you are obviously literate so there no reason you can't learn to cook basic meals.

purplefox · 06/06/2016 14:27

Use Yummly.com, input the things you can eat, put the things you can't eat in the "without" box and stop being so ungrateful to all the people spending their time helping you.

WindPowerRanger · 06/06/2016 15:04

I've been trying to think of all the cheap protein I use. I shop at Sainsbury's mostly, so that's where I've found the things I list:

Fresh sardines or mackerel. Oily fish like this is filling and if used in a light stew or curry with e.g. beans, gives the whole thing a nice flavour;

Frozen lamb chops, lamb shanks or stewing beef. Not veiny or gristly. I cook from frozen in the pressure cooker;

Ham bone or ham ends from the deli counter. These are often sold off very cheaply at the end of the day and are brilliant for soup;

Frozen uncooked prawns when on offer (which is surprisingly often). I stock up because prawns are a king's ransom otherwise;

Turkey-breast fillets or steaks, mince (breast or thigh). It is soooo much cheaper than chicken. You can do anything with it too, as it takes on flavours very well;

Pork belly and ribs. Fatty, but the right cooking can render off a lot of the fat. Again, you can use it in stews where it flavours well;

A 'hypocritical' recommendation because I can't stand the stuff, but squid is cheaper than most fish. Ditto rabbit if you can find a place that stocks it.

And re fat: it does add calories of course, but if that fills you up (as I find it does) and stops you carb-loading later, then overall you will have consumed fewer calories. This is what I have found (11lbs down in just under a month on a new weight loss programme, many lbs to go). Try using coconut oil for cooking (not cheap, but a little goes a long way). I think you will find you are sated better and eat less overall.

Try carbs from veg (carrot, beetroot, parsnips, etc) and complex grains. They take a lot longer to break down, which tends to delay hunger. Brown rice is so much better for that. Brown rice pudding made with reduced fat coconut milk and sprinkled with linseed would be healthy and filling.

Good luck with it all, it sounds very frustrating.

timeexperiencer · 06/06/2016 15:18

I have a restricted diet with a tomato allergy, so I can point towards some tasty, pulse & bead based but non-tomato recipes:
Thyme & whitebean stew I add broccoli or kale, and make it all in one big pot served with garlic toast. You could make it like shepherd's pie with mashed potatoes (potatoes have protein in too!).
Three bean salad
Black bean soup You can bulk this out with some quinoa (if you have a wholefood shop or somewhere to buy it in bulk) or brown rice.
Butter bean and kale burger
Lentil biryani Just leave out the cashew nuts, and use a curry powder if you don't already own the spices. (It's worth finding an asian supermarket, or the 'ethnic food' aisle in Tesco, to start building a spice collection though. It really helps make quite bland sources tasty.) The dried fruits are good for iron as well.
Black bean & sweet potato stew I think everything is better with sweet potatoes... Especially when I was getting used to eating beans etc. Don't worry about specific ingredients like 'chipotle chilis', just sub. chilli powder or fresh chillies.
Cuban black beans We had these with brown rice and baked plantains this weekend & they were so good. Add spices to your own taste, though, ours was quite hot. I just left the tomato puree out and it was fine.
Samosa bake Add a cup of red lentils just after the spices, and cook for 15 mins. I make this into a soup or just serve it with no pastry, green vegetables, and chutney.
Carrot and black bean sausages A bit of work but you can batch cook them. Breakfast food? (I'm mainlining oatibix with soya milk & raspberries at the moment.)
Sweet potato & butterbean korma Just leave out the peanut butter. (Tahini might be a good substitute, if you're ok with sesame).
Black bean brownies You wouldn't know they have beans in, I promise. A really decadent breakfast? You should be able to sub. one egg for the flaxseed.
Simple lentil soup
BBQ lentils I love these over sweet potatoes, and you can use them instead of baked beans in most things.
Lemony lentil, potato, and pea curry
Baked rice and lentils (comfort food)
Lentil curry
Another lentil curry You can just leave out the tomato paste, it's fine.
Sweet and sour dhal
Spinach, sweet potato and lentil dhal
Potato & split pea curry The tomato isn't needed.
Stuffed baked potato Add whatever beans/vegetables etc. you like.
Tomato free sauce 1. / Tomato free sauce 2 You'll have to see how you like them, but this might let you cook tomato based recipes again? I made a decent chili with the second.

I didn't see soya on your 'no good' list. Apologies if I've missed it, but tofu might be worth a try? Cauldron is the brand stocked in most supermarkets. You can use it in stir fries, marinade it in whatever you like, and even scramble it for breakfast.
Marinade idea, Orange tofu, Spicy scramble, Mini quiches, My friends' favourite.
My other idea for breakfast is tofu or gram flour omelettes.

I hope that helps. If you take a look around the sites I've linked to you should find plenty of other ideas.

I know local dieticians services can be rubbish, but if you're struggling I do suggest you push to see a dietician on account of your intolerances. (If you've seen a neurologist about migraines they might be able to help?). When I finally sat down with a dietician who understood my restrictions it was really helpful.

Iknownuffink · 06/06/2016 15:19

OP seem absolutely determined not to take on board any of the advice given.

You are not open to the fact that a high fat low carb diet would sate your appetite for longer.

You obviously know your body and you also know that what you are putting into it is not working for you.

Calorie counting is making you miserable.

ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 06/06/2016 15:33

Okay, I think I've mentioned it twice, but here's a link to the Cooking Without book. There's also a veggie one, and a newer, 'quick' one. I guarantee there are lots of tomato-free recipes (I know that's not your only allergy but you seem to think most recipes include them). In fact, a quick google will find a Harper Collins preview, which kindly lets you read the long and informative introduction, plus some sample recipes.
But the main thing you need to do is learn to cook, so you can navigate the allergies and find a balance that allows you to lose weight, which won't be quick or easy, as I'm sure you already know.
I haven't disagreed with you throughout, btw, and have posted realistic solutions based on having had similar sypmtoms in the past, and what worked for me. You're welcome.

Swipe left for the next trending thread