Choosing Your Protein Sources

1. C Choosi hoosing ng Y Your our Pro Prot tein ein Sour Sourc ce es s When you have committed to eating a healthy diet, consuming an appropriate amount of quality protein will be an important part of your plan. Whether you have worked with an online nutrition consultant, a personal nutritionist or have created your own plan, determining the best types of proteins to consume is an important step. Depending on your eating preferences (vegetarian, vegan, organic, non-GMO), working with a certified nutritionist can really open your eyes to protein sources you may not have considered or to the more detailed facts that reveal not all protein sources are created equally. If you aren’t sure about how much protein you need in order to reach your health goals or which proteins to choose, finding a local personal nutritionist or seeking out an online nutrition consultant can really make the difference in your success.

2. What You Need To Know About Protein Sources • Animal Proteins. These are the most obvious choices and ones that most people are familiar with. If you choose to eat animal proteins, you need to choose lean meats such as chicken or turkey breast and limit lean red meats to once a week. Pork products like pork tenderloin can be a great option too, but limit your bacon intake as it is not a lean choice and is also high in sodium and fat. Eggs are a great option in this category too – both whole eggs and egg whites. If you are able, choosing grain fed, organic animal protein is recommended. • Soy Proteins. If you decide that soy proteins are a good option for you, a certified nutritionist will recommend that you stick with unprocessed soy products such as tofu, tempeh and miso as much as possible and to seek out organic and non-GMO products. Many vegetarian products that include a high amount of protein are boosted with soy protein isolate which is a heavily engineered product and not recommended for high consumption. • Bean Proteins. There are many delicious recipes that include beans as the main source of protein. Both canned and dried beans are fine, although canned beans will contain much more sodium. Some people find beans harder to digest though, so you may have to limit your intake accordingly. • Other Non-Meat Proteins. To provide variety in your diet, a personal nutritionist can also review with you some protein choices that are sometimes overlooked. Cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, nuts and seeds can also be wonderful protein choices and can be incorporated into your diet easily. Many people find it tricky to have protein-rich meals and snacks that are easy to make and can be consumed on the go. Protein bars or protein powders can be good options, but many are too high in sugar and filled with over-processed ingredients. Deciphering food labels is another great reason to connect with an online nutrition consultant or a personal nutritionist. Their wealth of knowledge and expertise can provide you with better meal and snack options that not only work for your lifestyle but that will help you meet your health goals. If you are feeling overwhelmed when it comes to knowing how much protein you need and where you should get it from, download the Lomi app to help. Once you download the Lomi app and complete the registration process, you can choose one of our highly qualified health experts to help you in your journey. Making positive lifestyle changes doesn’t have to be hard, give yourself what you need to succeed and download the app today!