So, I'm taking a stab at being vegetarian. About a month into it, and it's going great!
I've considered it for a while, but was really concerned about getting enough protein, especially with my weight-lifting. Thankfully, Hy-vee has a large selection of products that have great amounts of protein that have reasonable calories, and are plant-based.
If you can't read the label, this black bean pasta has 25 grams of protein (12 grams of fiber and 185 calories) in 2 ounces of pasta. There's four servings in each bag, but it really made more than I expected! Honestly, there's really no distinct taste with this pasta, so I make it like usual with red sauce. Yummy!
Beyond Meat plant-based "chicken strips" are yummy, too. A serving is 3 oz (about 6 strips), with 20 grams of protein, and 120 calories. I like to add some of this to my ^pasta, and wraps that I'll make for lunch (mentioned below).
Seitan has 27 grams of protein and 170 calories in 4 ounces. Seitan is wheat gluten, which is the main protein source of wheat. This flavor and the pre-cut strips are pretty good- better mixed with other things, but fine on its own once you get used to the texture (in the package it looks like canned dog food). I'm not sure how a plain flavor would taste.
A few weeks ago I decided that wraps would be easier to bring for my lunch than anything in a container (that I can't microwave). I was looking at regular tortillas, but for the usual Mission tortillas, one tortilla has at least 200 calories and only 4 or 5 grams of protein. These tortillas have only 100 calories and 8 grams of protein (and 13 grams of fiber), in addition to short and simple ingredients. I like to put some "chicken" strips or Seitan in these with some black beans, corn, and avocado if we have any. Very filling:)
I am in love with Quest bars and Quest protein powder- I have the vanilla flavor, and for 100 calories you get 22 grams of protein. When I make protein drinks, I use 8 ounces of vanilla soy milk (100 calories, 6 grams of protein) and add 8 ounces of water, which keeps a good amount of flavor while making more liquid to fill you up, and then one scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder (totaling 200 calories and 28 grams of protein).
Dannon Light&Fit Greek Yogurt is super yummy. With 12 grams of protein, 80 calories, and only 7g of sugar (most other yogurts have way more.
Overall, I'm trying to eat more veggies while also getting good amounts of protein. Really what I'm looking for in high protein foods is at least an equal protein to calorie ratio (1g of protein = 10 calories, and all of these products have that. You also have your eggs, nuts, peanut butter, etc.
