THREE Proteins That Aren't CHICKEN

Welcome (back) to my blog! Today's post is all about food- YUM!

To tell the truth, I absolutely love chicken. But some people don't, and I don't always make the time to cook up chicken; I also think it's better to switch up your sources of protein throughout the week to get a wider variety of different nutrients. So today I bring you THREE other sources of protein that isn't chicken!

Before that however, I want to say that I make what I call "protein bowls" for lunch 95% of the time; it is basically a salad with a lot more protein! They are so delicious, low relatively low in calories, and chock full of nutrients. Sometimes I just throw a handful of spinach and some chicken in a bowl and call it lunch, if I'm running late and didn't pack it the night before. And while leafy greens are one of the best vegetables (and foods overall) to eat, there are other types of vegetables that provide essential nutrients your body needs; hence the phrase "eat the rainbow." This includes food like carrots (although they are high in sugar so don't over do it), purple cabbage, broccoli, asparagus, and peppers- just to name a few. So whether it is in a salad or not, try to eat a variety of vegetables!

Okay here is the meat (pun intended) of this post. My first option that is not chicken is Ground Beef. I know you're thinking that it is high in fat- and yes it really can be! That's why it is best to buy beef that's around 80 to 90% lean. However, because of the higher fat content, it is very low in carbs! This is an excellent option when you're on a low-carb diet, or want something that's a little heartier than just salad.

I was actually making a taco salad in this picture! I added 3.5 oz of ground beef onto a bed of spring mix, and topped it with carrots and a yummy salsa. This provides 14 grams of protein!

The next protein on the list is Salmon. I know fish can be smelly, and/or some people just don't like the taste, but it can actually taste good! Especially if you mix it with a base of something like hummus or avocado. I always season my salmon with my favorite seasonings! In this picture, I topped it with cayenne pepper, turmeric, basil, red salt, and some fresh oregano, but season as you like :)

Fish can also be expensive, so we buy the Kirkland Signature Canned Salmon. While fresh is almost always better, canned salmon is usually less money, and much more convenient! One can has about 5 ounces of fish, so I usually split it into two meals, but sometimes eat it all at once. One of these bowls contains 2.5 ounces of salmon, which is 75 calories and has 15.2 grams of protein!! This has ZERO carbs!


The last protein I am sharing today isn't even meat! So if you are a vegetarian, vegan, or just don't like to eat a lot of meat, this one is a great option; and it is Beans. This can mean black beans, kidney beans, white beans, garbanzo beans, etc. The amount of protein varies, but it is a significant source! The option pictured is actually a chili (which tastes so good by the way). As you can see, this has 20 grams of protein per 8.5 ounce serving! This particular one is higher in sodium, but since my sodium intake is usually low, I don't worry about it- especially since I only one or two servings a week (max).

This chili doesn't need any additional flavoring, but regular beans might! I like to add flavors like garlic, basil, etc; these are really a blank canvas so they will take on the flavors you mix with them.

And those are my three proteins that aren't chicken- ground beef, salmon, and beans! There are so many other sources of protein, such as turkey, cheese, other types of beef or steak and fish, etc etc; but these are not as widely known or used. These are also something I personally eat regularly- especially the salmon, I try to eat a can a week. Fish is full of awesome benefits such as healthy Omega-3's and Vitamin B! Fish can aid in weightless and promote a healthy heart ;)

Thank you so much for reading this post and supporting my blog! Comment below any future posts you would like to see :) Happy healthy eating, and God Bless!
Hannah