You don't eat no meat???
Who recognizes that line? It’s from one of my favorite movies.. which depicts exactly the type of family both PB and I come from.
[Reminder: I am blogging my meals this week- every last bite- to show you how I eat and why I eat it. This is the extended reply to several Ask Me Anything questions I received.]
Yesterday I did not eat any chicken, beef or fish. I didn’t do it on purpose, it just happened. I was still able to consume 91 g of protein. You don’t necessarily need to eat meat to reach protein goals! I absolutely love fish. I eat chicken breast (always organic or locally sourced) because it is easy to cook and flavor in other ways, but I don’t like it that much. I rarely eat beef, except for the occasional bite of PB’s dish at a restaurant, or when trying tapas or family meals. We often have 2 or 3 days a week where we eat a vegetarian diet. We can still reach our protein goals on those days with just a little bit of thought. It is even easier when I consume yogurt or eggs on those days, like I did yesterday.
I know there is a lot of debate on the amount of protein a body needs in a day. I was always taught that we need 0.8 g/kg of body weight. For someone about my size, that equals to around only 50 g of protein a day. I know my body, and as an athlete (woah, I just called myself an athlete??), I need even more. The recommended protein intake for athletes is between 1.2 g/kg- 1.8 g/kg. To calculate your recommended level of protein, take your weight in lbs and divide by 2.2 (to get your weight in kg) and then multiply by either 0.8 or anywhere in the range of 1.2-1.8.
My goal is to get between 90 and 100 g of protein a day. That might seem really high for some, but I know that my muscles need it.
All that to say, like Erica, I am really focusing more on reaching that goal every day.
For breakfast this morning I settled on a protein shake to accompany the protein discussion. 😉 This shake had 30 g Jay Robb Chocolate Whey Protein, 1/2 frozen banana, 6 oz water, 6 ice cubes, and 2 tbs peanut butter. I am trying to pretend it is summertime so the summer weather will come sooner. I chose to have a shake instead of a formal breakfast due to time. I was in a rush packing this morning and trying to clean up before work, and a protein shake seemed like the quickest solution.
This was so satisfying, even without something to chew. I can’t wait for summer fruits so I can finally set up and use the juicer PB’s awesome friends gave us!!! It is sitting in the closet waiting patiently to be used.
Previous days’ eats.
Day 2:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner- recipe for Baked Breaded Eggplant
Day 1:
And a LOVEly Weekend.
No Responses to “You don't eat no meat???”
Comments
Read below or add a comment...
bauahaha i love my big fat greek wedding
best part: “and inside the lump… was my twin”
😉
That smoothie sounds sooo delicious! And it’s amazing how much protein we can get without animals
When I told my Husband’s family that I used to be a vegetarian, and that my family, when we did eat meat, only ate chicken and turkey….they looked at me like I had 3 heads!
My Big Fat Greek Wedding right? Great post, I always forget how much protein I need and now I can just do the calculation
hahahhaha my family is SO like that too! My dad will go through the list of meats to “check” if there are any I will eat. I’m like no dad…. NO meat ;). Thanks for the shout out! I am starting my days with a protein shake now. It really helps me get my protein count off on the right foot. Yours look so yummy. I wish it would just warm up 🙁 Its freezing in Charleston too!
How do I find the best protein shake for me? I see you tagged Jay Robb? Where do you pick up his products and is Jay Robb the only shake you will drink?
It’s okay, I cook lamb. Best line ever, my dad quotes it ALL the time (every time e is in the presence of a) a vegetarian or b) lamb).
Ha! Love that quote, it’s one of my favorites. She actually looks AND sounds like one of my dad’s aunts. I’m Greek on his side.
I’m the same way about meat; I’ve been a pescetarian for three years now, though in the past few months I’ve loosened up a bit, will eat dishes that have proscuitto or bits of meat in them, just to be less difficult and for the protein.
I can’t seem to get on the protein powder bandwagon though; I can’t get myself to try drinking my calories, protein or otherwise. I need the chew to feel full, ya know what I mean? Perhaps the thing is that the protein powder doesn’t have the fat that say, a scoop of PB does?
It’s okay, I make lamb!
ahhh haha best movie ever! gotta love aunt vula…
P.S. I’m living in Philly, and also *fairly* new to the city (about two years now..). Love seeing and recognizing restaurants I’ve been to!