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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.

Ways to increase protein in my diet - no whey shakes please

75 replies

Needanewadventure2021 · 13/02/2022 20:14

Hiya

So I need some help. I went down the protein shake route to increase my protein intake hoping it would make me feel full and stop my snacking resulting in weight loss. I only have a stone to lose but my snacking is out of control! I'll admit, these last 2 days it has made me feel full. I haven't snacked. However I cannot get used to the taste. It's making me feel sick. I've tried it in shakes with skimmed milk and baked oats. It's not that it's horrendous, I just really don't like it! So as much as it's done a fantastic job in making me feel full I really can't stomach it and can't see me being able to keep it up.

I suppose my choice to use shakes was to increase protein but also keep calories down.

What other ways can I add protein to my diet without being too calorific? I really dont think I can have any more of this vanilla whey. Just the thought is making me feel sick.

TIA x

OP posts:
pawpaws2022 · 14/02/2022 22:13

@StirredWithATwist

Try clear whey isolate on My Protein. You mix with water and it's like juice as opposed to a milkshake.

I like the peach, bitter lemon and pineapple flavours!

I have the rainbow candy one and it tastes amazing, I wish it came in just squash!
1idea · 14/02/2022 22:40

My protein usually have a selection box of different clear whey flavours you can try with water.

Needanewadventure2021 · 14/02/2022 22:53

Thanks everyone. I've returned the whey. I'd only opened a 500g bag of a pretty big order so luckily I will take the hit on the return cost for a refund on the unopened bags.

I'm going to try the clear whey. I'm actually abit intrigued by it. I tend to go for tropical flavours.

My reason for wanting to up my protein is I know my diet is lacking in it. I generally snack and pick at rubbish which doesn't fill me up at all. I'm hoping increasing my protein intake will curb the urge to pick. I'm only about a stone bigger than I'd like to be but still in a healthy range (top end though). The grabbing at chocolate and crisps though is really getting me down because it doesn't just stop at 1. It escalates fast. My diet is rather embarrassingly sugar heavy. Something I need to change

OP posts:
Scbchl · 14/02/2022 23:11

Ufit ready mixed shakes are much nicer I can't stomach the ones you mix yourself. You can get them in b and m and home bargain to try. Also really up your fluid intake too. Iv lost 30 pounds since 4th January on a high protein, low carb diet.

Enjoyingaquickdip · 14/02/2022 23:20

This is rea

AnotherMansCause · 14/02/2022 23:29

Personally I'd use unflavoured unsweetened whey protein powder if it's a powder you'd find easiest to use. Pulsin do a couple of good ones, fairly neutral flavour IME, you can disguise the taste fairly easily in a milkshake or with fruit, porridge, yoghurt etc. They sell small or large size packs. They do flavoured varieties as well but that's not my preference so I couldn't comment on those.

Or, just eat more natural protein foods as part of your daily diet as PPs have suggested.

Kitkat151 · 14/02/2022 23:38

I was prescribed renapro protein sachets by my gp....about 70 calories I think.....just added it to sweet or savoury foods ....no taste at all.... not sure if you can just buy them though

TheFoundation · 14/02/2022 23:42

Are you vegetarian, OP? If not, just cut back on the amount of carb in your meals, and compensate with the other part. For example, egg and chips could be 3 eggs and a small amount of chps. Spag bol can be lots of the meat sauce and less pasta.

If you eat meat, you really don't need protein shakes. Essentially it's artificial rubbish, and if your diet doesn't contain enough protein, adding artificial rubbish isn't going to make your diet healthy.

picklemewalnuts · 15/02/2022 09:01

Collagen would work, too. Use in the same way as the whey products, just add a scoop to a drink. The one I get stirs in really easily.

AlannaOfTrebond · 15/02/2022 09:09

I've just ordered a selection of single serving clear whey pouches from My Protein.

Tried the peach ice tea flavour yesterday and although it had a slightly artificial taste it was actually pretty nice.

illyawasthebest · 16/02/2022 06:27

Does anyone have a referral code for My Protein? Happy to give it a go if so many here think it's a good idea.

GOODCAT · 16/02/2022 06:37

Could you try three normal meals a day each including a decent protein? For me it has been adding more protein to breakfast, so something egg based instead of cereal, that has helped. If you are not eating brilliantly just sticking to three meals a day all of which are healthy can reset your habits.

gamerchick · 16/02/2022 06:44

There are different shakes out there. Stay away from the gimmicky ones and there are some gems. B&m do a muscle moose one that's low in sugar but tastes just like cadburys crunchies. 23g protein. I add a scoop of Collagen to bump up whatever I'm having.

Not all protein powders are created equal. I remember a tub of chocolate orange stuff, It was rank. Just couldn't force myself to drink it.

Needanewadventure2021 · 16/02/2022 06:59

My problem is I don't each breakfast. I havent since my teens. But I definitely need to change my habits.

That cruchie shake sounds lovely but I really dont think I could bring myself to try anymore now.

I didnt realise collegen was good too. Any recommendations?

OP posts:
gamerchick · 16/02/2022 07:44

@Needanewadventure2021

My problem is I don't each breakfast. I havent since my teens. But I definitely need to change my habits.

That cruchie shake sounds lovely but I really dont think I could bring myself to try anymore now.

I didnt realise collegen was good too. Any recommendations?

Aldi had some on recently. Decent price, no taste and not awful texture wise. 8g protien in each scoop, 40 calories

B&m do pre mixed coffee lattes for a quid as well. Little bottles for easy necking and 23g protien. Just handy to have when you're on the run

StirredWithATwist · 16/02/2022 07:46

@illyawasthebest

Does anyone have a referral code for My Protein? Happy to give it a go if so many here think it's a good idea.
www.myprotein.com/referrals.list?applyCode=SAFFRON-R1P&sm
gamerchick · 16/02/2022 07:47

Or there's a big daddy steak from Aldi. 90 odd g of protien if you want filling up for a day.

TTstormtrooper · 16/02/2022 07:47

I'm also confused about why you're not just eating more eggs, cheese, meat and fish. Instead of relying on shakes. If you're vegetarian, things like Quorn are a good alternative to meat and fish. Beans, lentils and other pulses are also good protein sources.

I do low/carbon high protein. I eat things like eggs with wholemeal toast for breakfast, then meat or fish with vegetables for lunch and dinner. I snack on stuff like fruit and yogurts.

I hate the term processed, but it does sound like you're eating a lot of processed foods. I think going to less carb based and less processed will help the snacking more than increasing protein.

TTstormtrooper · 16/02/2022 07:48

I meant to say Low carb/high protein!

gamerchick · 16/02/2022 08:02

I think it depends on how much protien you're wanting. I need 117g a day, I'd be constantly eating. It is possible but it's a lot of food.

If you want to stick to the average recommendation then its fine.

picklemewalnuts · 16/02/2022 08:09

I didn't get on with the Aldi collagen. I got the flavoured one and it was hard to mix. It was best to use with hot water, and give it a few minutes to sit. Otherwise it was very lumpy and sticky.

Cormoran · 16/02/2022 08:21

Your snacking has nothing to do with satiety or hunger. It is a matter of habit and cravings of ultra processed high palatability foods.
You do not need to eat more protein, you need to eat less often and abandon snacking all together. If you maintain the habit of grazing, watching tv while eating something, and so on, it doesn't matter if you eat a boiled egg or a packet of crisps. You are maintaining and reinforcing an habit.
If you are trying to lose weight, you need to eat less calories, not adding more of them in the form of protein.

Your body can only process a certain amount of protein, above that, any excess will be stored as fat.
Let me repeat this, excess protein are stored as fat, so why would you eat more of them.

300 gr of broccoli will satiate your for hours so will 300 gr of green beans . Have big plant dominant meals, add some fermented foods, and slowly change your food preferences. Remove the habit and the triggers. Only eat while sitting down at a table, without screens.

Don't buy junk so you don't have in the house and you won't eat it. Have only food as close as possible to their natural state. IT doesn't matter Low carb, low fat, when it is the healthy version of it.
The reason you gained weight was not because of an excess/deficiency of any macros, but because you fell for the ultra-processed food, industrial food, fried food, in other words , the junk. You didn't gain a stone eating lentils stew or a zucchini risotto. The solution is not eating more protein, especially in the form of ultra processed, full of additives, emulsifiers protein shakes.

When the urge to a -little-something comes, acknowledge it and send it away, you are an adult woman. If you struggle, leave the room, turn the tv off.

HomeHomeInTheRange · 16/02/2022 08:34

OP: surely you will enjoy your food more, eat a healthier diet and achieve your weight loss goal by adopting an overall better diet? With all the long term benefits, too.

At the moment you seem to be trying to add ‘not regular food’ substances to what you already describe as a not very good diet.

A good moment to sort out your overall diet?

It is completely possible to lose a stone and not feel hungry, and to have some healthier snacks too.

What foods do you like and find easy to fit in with your life?

MoodySky · 16/02/2022 08:40

Eggs for breakfast.
Chicken breast, ham or cheese for lunch with salad, followed by plain yogurt.
Fish, lentils, meat for dinner with veg.
Nuts and seeds for snacks.