When it comes to leading an active lifestyle and eating healthy, protein is the cornerstone of your body's fuel. We need protein to promote good muscle growth, aid in weight management, and support overall health. Protein is also essential in aging and can help keep our bodies strong throughout our lives.
There's not really a downside to balanced protein except that we need a focused diet to get in the quality nutrients we need. Winging it isn't usually successful and can lead to the convenience of fast food or pre-packed snacks. With the right meal prep for a high-protein diet, you can get on top of your nutrition and build a high-performing diet.
Consider Your Protein Needs
Before tackling meal prep for high-protein diets, you need to consider your daily intake. Studies show a sedentary adult should consume at least 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight or 0.36 grams per pound. However, an active individual needs 1.2 to 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.
Once you have an idea of your protein consumption goal, you can adjust your meals accordingly and work to optimize your intake. You may not know exactly how much protein you're consuming, but if you feel hungry or lethargic, you probably need to add more high-quality protein to your diet.
Select High-Quality Protein Sources
Not all protein is created equally and could quickly derail your nutrition. Nuts are a great source of protein but are also packed with sodium, fat, and calories that can quickly throw off your weight loss goals when eaten in excess. Instead, opt for lean meats like fish, turkey, chicken, and beef, or replace them with tofu, tempeh, and legumes.
There are also high-quality snacks and ingredients you can use during mealtime. Reach for eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and whey protein powder to supplement your daily protein intake.
Use Meal Prep Services
If you're feeling overwhelmed by this whole protein issue, you can take the guesswork out of meal prep with FitTrax. We offer a variety of subscriptions to make it easy to eat more protein. We offer:
- Balance
- Vegan
- Athlete
- Tone
- Builder
- Performance
- Peak Performance
- Ultra
Choose between weekly or bi-weekly deliveries or build your meal box from our menu options. It saves time and money and makes eating protein-packed meals easy. We take an organic, healthy, delicious approach to meal prep, making everything from scratch.
What Kind of Meals Does FitTrax Offer?
Here are just some of the protein-rich meals FitTrax offers.
Salmon with Ratatouille Quinoa - Enjoy baked salmon with vegetable-rich quinoa prepared ratatouille style with a splash of fresh lemon vinaigrette and flavorful herbs.
Ground Beef Enchiladas - Dish up our sautéed grass-fed beef seasoned with an ancho chili span over cilantro, black beans, and roasted squash. It's topped off with a flavor of almond enchilada sauce for an extra boost of protein.
Basil Balsamic Chicken with Rosemary Potatoes and Green Beans - We paired our marinated organic chicken with rosemary roasted potatoes, fresh green beans, and roasted mushrooms.
Batch Cooking and Portion Control
Consistency is key if you decide to meal prep for a protein-focused diet on your own. Set aside a dedicated time to cook your meals in larger quantities or prep all of your ingredients in advance. Make sure to keep lean proteins, including salmon and chicken breasts, in your regular rotation. Portion-controlled containers are also a wise move if you find it challenging to figure out how to right-size your eating.
Next Steps
Are you ready to add more protein to your diet? FitTrax helps fuel your performance with macro-friendly meals and dishes with weekly to 21-day meal options. Or choose from our a la carte option and bulk items to maximize your favorite flavors and nutrients. Get started today.