As I’ve been researching more recipes, snack ideas, and skimming nutrition labels, I have learned that many foods have protein that I didn’t consider before.
- Lattes (milk really): I knew milk has protein. But, I always considered my love for a good vanilla latte a bad choice, not a good one. In a small 12 oz. latte there are 5-9 grams of protein (depending on where you get it, which milk, etc.)
2. Wheat bread: Who doesn’t love a good sandwich? A slice of wheat bread (at least the kind I currently have) has 5 grams of protein. So make a sandwich and it adds 10 grams of protein (along with some other good nutrients).
3. Kale: It’s low calorie, tasteless in smoothies, is a great filler for a salad, and packed with nutrients. While protein isn’t it’s most significant nutrient, it does have 3 grams of protein in 1 cup. So, if you have a salad with Kale, you may be adding 6 grams or so of protein without even realizing it!
4. Chili: I already knew that Chili had protein. Duh, beans and meat? Of course. But I didn’t realize how much. In a serving of canned chili (with beans and meat) there are about 17 grams of protein (half a small can). Most people add shredded cheese right? That adds another 7 grams if you add a whole serving. So you’re at 24 grams, and that’s in one serving. Who eats only one serving of Chili?
5. Edamame: Again, I knew it had protein. But I didn’t know that in 1/2 a cup there are 9 grams of protein. So eat a cup and you get 18! That’s almost as much as a serving of meat.