Whilst indulging on your favorite foods is fun to do, being able to amp the protein content while still satisfying those cravings is even better. This way, you can contribute to hitting your protein target and to get that all-important macronutrient to better build muscle and strength—all without having to sacrifice your favorite meals or snacks.
In this article, we’ll take you through protein-versions of your favorite foods you should try and how to make them so you can give them a go yourself.
Lunch/Dinner
We all love a good macaroni and cheese meal but the protein content in it can be a bit lacking. Brittany, creator of Eating Bird Food, has a delicious recipe that not only gives you the hearty comfort food that is mac and cheese, but it also enhances the protein in it to add much more nutritional value.
Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
8 oz of protein pasta – Choose a pasta that is full of plant-based protein for your macaroni.
4 cups of vegetables of your choice – Brittany opts for broccoli and spinach to increase the nutritional value.
1 tablespoon of organic butter
1 cup of milk
1 Laughing Cow spreadable cheese wedge
6 oz of shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
- Cook your protein pasta according to instructions as well as your chosen vegetables.
- In a large pot over low/medium heat, add in your butter, milk and salt and pepper.
- Wait until the butter has melted and add in the pasta, vegetables, spreadable cheese wedge and shredded cheese.
- Allow the cheese to melt.
- Mix well
- Serve
Find the recipe here.
Dessert
And of course, we can’t end the day without dessert. Whether it’s a cheeky bowl of ice cream at the end of the night or a decadent brownie before you head to bed, there hasn’t been a sweeter way to end the day.
Protein ice cream
If you can’t get up your daily scoop (or two) of ice cream, then Arman Liew from The Big Man’s World ® has your back! Using just three ingredients, you can whip up creamy and delicious ice cream that’s packed with protein—without that protein aftertaste (you know the one I’m talking about).
While there may only be three ingredients, each one has been carefully chosen to produce the best homemade protein ice cream.
Ingredients
2 14 oz cans of canned full fat coconut milk – Liew opts for this type of milk because it gives the ice cream that creamy texture. He also comments that full fat means that it’ll make the end product scoopable, which is a bonus in our eyes!
1-2 teaspoons of granulated sweetener – To make your protein ice cream sweet, use your favorite granulated sweetener. However, to make a sugar-free version, then Liew recommends using dates instead.
1 cup of protein power – Add a protein flavor of your choice to the mixture to take it from homemade ice cream to protein ice cream.
Prep
- Chill a loaf pan in a freeze for at least an hour before making.
- Also, chill the can of full fat coconut milk.
Directions
- Blend the entire can of chilled coconut milk in the blender for 1-2 minutes; just enough to make it silky and smooth.
- Add in your protein powder and sweetener of choice. Continue to blend until you get a thick and creamy texture.
- Put the ice cream in your chilled loaf pan.
- Leave it to chill, ensuring that you lightly mix it every 20-30 minutes for at least the first hour.
- When it’s time to eat, let it thaw for 10-15 minutes. Allow even longer for thawing for a soft-serve style.
Find the recipe here.
Protein Brownie
If chocolate brownies all more your style, then you’ll love Liew’s 1-minute protein brownie recipe. In just one minute, you can make a fluffy and moist brownie that’s full of protein and with no white flour or banana.
It can be made two-ways: in a microwave for something quick and easy, or in the oven.
Ingredients
1 scoop of chocolate protein powder
1 tablespoon of coconut flour
2 tablespoons of a granulated sweetener of your choice
½ teaspoons of baking powder
1-2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
1 large egg (or 1 flax egg)
¼ cup of milk of your choice
Chocolate chips (optional)
Prep
- Grease a deep mug (microwave version)
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius (oven version)
Directions
For Microwave:
- Combine the protein powder, coconut flour, baking powder, granulated sweetener and cocoa powder in a mixing bowl and mix well.
- In another bowl, whisk the egg and milk together.
- Combine the dry and wet ingredients and mix well.
- Add chocolate chips to the batter.
- Pour batter into greased mug and microwave for 60 seconds and enjoy immediately.
For Oven:
- Pour batter into an oven-safe dish.
- Bake in oven for 10-12 minutes.
Find the recipe here.