Since going gluten-free and swearing off the soy, I've become quite the vegan cliche. The old "Where do you get your protein?" cliche.
The answer is: Beans. Lots and lots of beans. (Yes, I know practically everything has a leetle bit of protein in it, broccoli is mostly protein, whole grains, nuts, sea vegetables, and on and on and on. But I'm thinking specifically about stuff that packs some serious protein punch.) Except that I can only eat so many beans.
According to my naturopath, I need at least 50 grams of protein every day. When she said it, I thought, "That's not so much." But when I actually started tracking my food intake and really looking at what I was getting, nutrition-wise, I realized that my soy-free, gluten-free vegan diet wasn't cutting it on the protein intake.
So I bought myself some soy-free vegan protein powder thinking, "Hey, I like smoothies, and I have a freezer full of bananas with one, Westley-sized bite out of them. Let's make protein shakes! Yeah!"
It seemed like such a simple idea. A simple idea that would get me at least 21 grams of protein per smoothie. But it turns out that this stuff? Is foul.
It claims to have a "neutral taste." I'd describe it more as bitter, and vaguely "planty." Rather than hiding in fruit smoothies, it makes the fruit taste like it. I'm sure enough chocolate, peanut butter, and sugar would hide the taste, but the idea here is to make something healthful. Preferably something healthful that I don't have to choke down.
This is not the only soy-free, vegan-friendly protein powder on the market. But I'd like to use up what I've got before trying something else. Any ideas or suggestions would be more than welcome! And while you're at it, tell me where you get your protein.
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9 comments:
Quinoa? We're eating lots of that stuff around here lately.
Jessica, we love us some quinoa around these parts!
Totally not my area of expertise but I did laugh out loud at
"I need hands-on, 'swallow this without gagging' advice. (That's what she said.)"
Thanks for the giggle. Hope you find some ungross powder.
Wow, I feel for you, not having soy is tough as a vegan! We eat tofu or tempeh on a daily basis. What about a hemp milk & peanut butter smoothie? That should be at least 15 grams of protein?! Add some banana, dates, or other fruit, delicious!
Nuts, I eat lots and lots of nuts! I am no longer vegan, I've turned to the lacto-ovo dark side and so I do get some protein from dairy but mostly nuts, beans and grains. TJs has pretty cheap raw nuts and they are delicious!
What about almond butter or (dare i say) Nutella in your protein chalk drink?
Oh and I have read that a lack of protein could be a reason why people get sick more often. Just a thought. Hope you are feeling better.
Hmm. I have to tell you, I was RIDICULOUSLY sick through all my pregnancies, losing more weight from vomiting than I ever gained from babies, and none of that had to do with what I was eating.
I made a point to eat at least 100 grams of protein a day and it was TOUGH and I bet I vomited most of it up and I do NOT recommend it.
Honestly, after four babies, if I were to become pregnant again, I would eat whatever would stay in my belly. And then I would wait an hour and have some more.
I'm sorry you're having a rough time, it really does suck, but it WILL pass. Have you checked out the mothering.com boards for support? I'm so sorry, I can't remember if I met you there or somewhere else, forgive me if I should know!
Hi...recently found your blog and love it! All I can say right now is - that powder is BUTT!!! We have tried all different brands and flavors. I personally like vanilla brown rice protein the best, but even so - it is butt. I'm so sorry you have an entire container to choke down. I sometimes add a teeny teeny tiny amount to my smoothies, but that's the best I can do.
For protein around here...peanut butter, hummus, lentils, black beans, quinoa, wild/brown rice, and we snack on walnuts and raisins a lot.
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