Protein is key for weight loss and gut health. But, we can get stuck in a rut of plain baked chicken that feels boring. Eventually we end up ordering out or skipping it altogether because we just can’t think about eating another dry chicken breast this month. Here is some high protein recipe inspo on how to spice up your meal planning for protein so eating for health and weight loss feels enjoyable!

Having 20 g or more at a meal lowers hunger hormones all day which:

  • lowers cravings
  • Improves impulse control around food

Pairing protein with your carbs stabilizes blood sugar which:

  • gives you steadier long lasting energy
  • protects your muscle mass which keeps your metabolic rate (calorie burn) higher
  • lowers cravings between meals
  • keeps insulin lower which can support less energy stored as fat

High Protein Recipe Roundup

High protein foods fall into two main categories

  1. Animal – chicken, turkey, fish, seafood, meat, eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, whey protein powder
  2. Plant – tofu, tempeh, soy beans, lentils, other beans and legumes (chickpeas, black beans etc), some seeds (they have less protein but are still a great booster), plant based protein powders

Fish and Seafood

Grilled Salmon Kabobs w Creamy Curry Yogurt Sauce
Salmon Burgers w Thai Cabbage Slaw
Easy Tuna Cakes w Roasted Red Pepper Mayo (great to prep and freeze)
Blackened Shrimp + Cauliflower “Grits”
Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajita Bowl

Poultry

Sheet Pan Chicken Shwarma Bowls
Blackened Chicken Cobb Salad
Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers 
Cheesy Turkey and Eggplant Casserole (easy to make and SO filling despite being lower carb)
Healthy Whole 30 Spinach + Bacon Quiche (potato crust – yum!)

Meat

Asian Ground Beef, Mushroom and Broccoli Slaw Lettuce Cups
Instant Pot Zucchini Bolognese
Tex Mex Beef and Cauli-Rice Casserole (fibre rich to boot!)
Instant Pot Braised Beef – would be tasty on top of cozy garlic cauliflower mash
Healthy Beef and Broccoli
Adobo Rubbed Grilled Pork Tenderloin – this is a lean and high protein cut made tasty!
Spicy Pork and Brussel Sprout Bowls

Plant Based

Air Fryer Tofu – love a crispy tofu for texture!
Crispy Tofu Lettuce Wraps w Peanut Sauce
Lentil Shepherds Pie
Chickpea Mash Sandwich (go open faced for weight loss)
Southwest Tofu Scramble – great breakfast idea!
Almond Butter Tofu Stir Fry
Chickpea Caesar Salad
Curried Cauliflower, Grape and Lentil Salad (all-in-one kind of meal!)
Teriyaki Tempeh and Broccoli

Feel like you know what to eat, but struggle to stick to it long enough to see real results? Find out the top 3 reasons you’re not losing weight (or keeping it off), and how to fix it here. 
Use this series to find out YOUR real reason you’re not seeing consistent progress so you can get off the diet roller coaster,  feel good in your body, lose weight and keep it off in a healthy way. Spoiler alert, it has nothing to do with willpower!