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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 15:38

Op im glad you can eat and do like fish sticks. I use them shredded in salads and chopped in sauce with pasta and even sliced in currys. Prawns from the freezer arent as cheap but also versatile. On a baked potato is a good idea. You can make a mayonnaise topping out of them.

Quick question does the lacto free dairy range still trigger migraines?

When soya triggers your allergies /migraines do you think it could be the level of processing? I only ask because edamame are a good protein source and unprocessed and might be a possibility.

I feel for you i really do. It is a very tough combination of requirements and even with no financial or allergy or physical constraints losing weight is very hard. I think from this thread you have some great options and hopefully combining them all will give you enough meals to last a week that fill you up and give some variety for your pallette and of nutrients.

I can eat tomatoes but the sauce looks amazing so will be trying that. Good luck.

BitOutOfPractice · 06/06/2016 15:42

time thank you so much for posting those links (how kind of you to take all that time). I have shamelessly stolen a number of them.

I'm ashamed to say I have rarely if ever cooked with lentils but I will be putting that right now

o thank you Thanks

LaContessaDiPlump · 06/06/2016 15:46

Sorry, haven't RTFT. Can you afford a big tub of protein powder so you can have smoothies? They are expensive but last for ages. I'm vegan and get the pea powder one from Holland and Barret.

SitsOnFence · 06/06/2016 15:51

Oh my goodness, there are some great recipes on this thread. Particularly your post time. Much like dynevoran I have neglected lentils (and black beans!) but will be trying some of those recipes out. It looks like most will either freeze well or last a few days in the fridge. Perfect!

ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 06/06/2016 15:52

I'd like to give Time some Flowers as well - I really need to make the effort with non-meat options.

Skippedthelightfandango · 06/06/2016 16:02

I would add to windpowerrangers post above - pigs trotters, liver, kidneys, oxtail, ox cheek - all very very cheap cuts, need long slow cooking but the resulting flavour is wonderful, and they are full of protein. You can get them all from your butcher or market.

Ox cheek is particularly good in a tagine-type dish, loads of recipes about.

KindDogsTail · 06/06/2016 16:18

Here is a method for not counting calories and eating healthily all through your life without feeling hungry.

Divide a not too huge plate (10 inches or even 8 inches) into four.

One fourth put protein, palm of the hand size

One fourth/or about a tablespoonful of complex starchy carb like brown rice. Other examples are a potatoes including skin or sweet potato with skin (boiled or baked).

The other two fourths (i.e the other half) vegetables like spinach broccoli cabbage. Cabbage is often cheap.

Something like lentils has starchy carbohydrate and protein contained in it all in one go. So those could be eaten as half a plate, with vegetables on the other half if you wanted.

Have a few snacks if you are very hungry of something like celery or raw carrot and about a level tablespoon of houmous, you make yourself. A few small pieces of tofu and some green pepper (misshapen are sold 4 for £1 in supermarkets). A tablespoon of ground linseed with warm water and mashed berries. (Cheap frozen summer fruit berries berries come frozen). You could also have some plain non creamy non fatty non-starchy vegetable soup you make yourself to help you feel full - as a filling snack.

Drink water throughout the day.

Have a tablespoon of oil like olive oil or hemp oil or coconut oil per day.

If you long for a treat, have a little of it after you have eaten a proper meal that has protein. Don't let it become a big issue.
Or have a small piece of whole fruit, preferably not too sweet but, if it is, then have very little/ Examples of very sweet fruit would be grapes and bananas. So in that case you might choose 10 grapes, half a small, not too ripe banana as a treat after your meal.

Avoid fruit juice.

Timeexpoeriencer what a brilliant set of recipes you have found for the OP
Shotgun That 'Cooking Without' sounds very useful.
FurryDog 'low carb' friends sounds a helpful forum.

We can all learn a lot from all these suggestions.

BIWI · 06/06/2016 18:45

... and I will repeat, as it's important. You need protein and fat to fill you up. Not carbs. It's the carbs that are making you gain weight.

Fat will not make you fat.

Chippednailvarnishing · 07/06/2016 14:09

Great recipes time !

dynevoran · 07/06/2016 18:26

Yes thanks time

user1465023742 · 08/06/2016 22:44

Thanks time - that's absolutely awesome, I'll check those out tomorrow when i get time.

OP posts:
user1465023742 · 08/06/2016 22:49

*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.*

With the greatest of respect, iknownuffink (appropriate name), that's utter rubbish. I've taken plenty of advice on board, I'm looking at the recipes, but I am not going to fill my body with a high fat diet and I really wish people would stop suggesting it. By that logic I might as well stuff my face with McDonalds and curry all day. It's rubbish. Sorry, but it is. Rubbish and dangerous.

OP posts:
Chippednailvarnishing · 08/06/2016 23:12

You've just validated everything Iknow said...

And given that people are trying to help you, why on earth are you being so tetchy? Eating "good" nourishing fats is in no way comparable with eating a McDonalds.

purplefox · 08/06/2016 23:19

You're really showing your ignorance here. McDonalds and curry are not low carb, high fat foods. Yes, they are high in fat but they certainly aren't low carb, nor are they the healthy fats which many on here are recommending you eat.

A high fat low carb diet is not "rubbish and dangerous" and it will sate you for longer than high carb, low fat, there's plenty of science to show it. I'd find some studies to prove mine/everyone else's point but as you're really not listening to anyone I doubt you'd bother to open your closed mind.

BitOutOfPractice · 09/06/2016 00:02

I really do think you need to reasses your attitude. Not just to fat v carb but yo how you speak to people who are trying to help you Confused

StickTheDMWhereTheSunDontShine · 09/06/2016 00:12

I have some conditions in common with you, op.

I've had some foods which are swimming in fat, this week. Not strictly low carbing but am restring white carbs and sweet crap. I'm finding it easier than ever to stay around my calorie target, lose weight and not feel hungry, despite galloping middle age, all the while enjoying the butter I put on my Jersey royals

StickTheDMWhereTheSunDontShine · 09/06/2016 00:13

Even had a greasy lamb rogan Josh for dinner.it was lush.

Footle · 09/06/2016 06:20

Flat-earther falls off edge.

Booksandcrocheting · 09/06/2016 06:52

If you can have lemon or lime juice,I would use that and some dried herbs to season frozen white fish fillets op.

Booksandcrocheting · 09/06/2016 06:53

I've always found Morrison's the best and cheapest of the supermarkets for fresh fish.

SolomanDaisy · 09/06/2016 07:29

Why don't you do some reading about eating healthy fats and low GI? No one is suggesting eating McDonald's every day is a great idea. But having an avocado or some linseeds or olive oil on a salad is great and no Dr would advise you against it. I don't eat high fat low carb, but I do try to get plenty of healthy fats and it definitely keeps me feeling fuller.

BIWI · 09/06/2016 07:30

OK. I'm out.

You've been rude and dismissive despite lots of people who know what they're talking about trying to help you.

You carry on eating the wrong things and gaining weight. Because you clearly know better than anyone else.

I never understand why people post asking for help who then refuse to entertain any of it Hmm

BIWI · 09/06/2016 07:36

And a quick search of your posts since you've joined would indicate that you behave/talk like this generally - hence the number of times you've been deleted already.

You might want to re-think how you post?

MildlyattractiveBetty · 09/06/2016 08:10

Yes of course avocado is going to do exactly the same to your body as a Big Mac Hmm

Btw how depressing that my phone automatically capitalises Big Mac.

PrimalLass · 09/06/2016 09:22

What BIWI and all the others said. And I said up thread.

Maybe do some reading before you tell others that their advice is Rubbish and dangerous.

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