3 Warning Signs of Low Protein

Meat packing plants were among the hardest hit industries from the pandemic in 2020.

In fact, even earlier this year, meat shortages were still occurring.

Because while most plants are up and running, with all the new safety protocols in place, they simply can’t process meat as quickly as they did in pre-pandemic times.

So, what will you do if you find yourself at the grocery store looking at shelves that are empty of beef and poultry?

Eating less protein is not an option.

Without enough protein your energy levels take a nosedive and you begin to lose your muscle strength.

Plus, your skin begins to sag, aging you beyond your years.

So, where will you get your protein from if meat becomes scarce in your store? What’s your back-up plan?

Here are my favorite non-meat, protein-rich foods…

If you’ve been reading my newsletter for a while, you know I love my eggs and eat them several times a week.  

Four large eggs will net you about the same amount of protein as 4 ounces of chicken. Plus, critical nutrients like selenium and choline.

Scrambled, hard boiled, or sunny side up, no matter how you serve them, eggs are a near-perfect food.

Another great protein source is chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans.

This staple of Middle Eastern cooking has grown in popularity here in the U.S. in recent years. 

And for good reason.

Chickpeas are packed with nutrition, providing a variety of vitamins and minerals, a decent amount of fiber, and protein.

One of the easiest ways to eat chickpeas is my mashing the beans into hummus.

A serving of 1 1/3 cups of hummus delivers as much protein as 4 ounces of fish. Plus, you get a tasty dip for your veggies.

Looking for a protein-packed snack? How about some nuts?

Almonds deliver 6 grams of protein per ounce.

And since they’re ready to eat right out of the bag, they’re one of the quickest and easiest ways to fuel your body with essential protein... no cooking required!

Eat them on their own, or chop them up to add some crunch and added flavor to your yogurt, salads, and oatmeal. 

Speaking of yogurt, if you enjoy a cup, opt for the Greek varieties over the traditional kind.

An 8-oz. serving of Greek yogurt provides about 17–20 grams of protein, depending on the brand, about twice the amount of traditional yogurt, and about as much as a 3-ounce serving of salmon.

Ever tried edamame?

If you haven’t, you’re missing out on a delicious, protein-packed food.

Edamame is simply steamed soybeans in their unripened form.

And, no other legume carries more protein than soybeans. 

One cup of edamame has 17 grams of protein, about the same amount you would get from 4 ounces of ground beef.

I usually get edamame frozen, but you can sometimes find it fresh in your produce section.

Enjoy the legume as a snack. Or, throw it into your stir-fry. 

Look, who knows what 2021 will bring?

But if 2020 taught us anything it’s that we have to be prepared for everything and that includes meat shortages. 

There’s no need to panic and start packing freezers with chicken and beef.

Other fulfilling, delicious protein-loaded foods exist, and are widely available.

Give them a try to keep your protein levels up, and preserve room in your freezer.