Summer is finally here! And you know what that means - bathing suits, swimming pools, and barbecues galore. But when trying to lose weight, all those burgers and hot dogs can really pack on the pounds. Like, you go to all the effort of eating healthy and exercising, just to ruin it with one cheat day of meaty summer foods. Bummer!
But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. There are actually a ton of lighter, healthier protein sources perfect for summer. And they taste amazing too!
Here are some of our faves:
Fish is a total protein powerhouse. Pop some salmon or tuna on the grill with just a spritz of olive oil and lemon. Way lighter than a burger but still totally satisfying. Even fish sticks or crab cakes can hit the spot - just watch the breading.
Yeah, yeah, eggs in the summer don’t sound too appealing. But trust us, whip up some scrambled eggs with veggies for a healthy protein-packed breakfast.
Or make a frittata with zucchini, tomato, onion - whatever veggies you have on hand. Pop it in the oven then cut into slices for a perfectly portable protein. And way tastier than meat any day if you ask us.
Love it or hate it, tofu is a killer meat substitute. Slice it up and grill it just like meat before tossing in a wrap or salad. Marinate it in something flavorful first for extra yumminess.
Our fave marinade combo? Soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, and ginger. Let that hang out for 30 mins and the tofu totally soaks it up. Grill it hot and fast so it gets a little crispy. So good!
These tasty little soybeans are popping up on menus everywhere. Just boil or steam them up, sprinkle with salt, and pop ‘em right in your mouth. Such a satisfying little crunch!
And get this - one cup of shelled edamame has a whopping 17g of protein. Plus lots of fiber to keep you full. Toss some in a ziplock bag for a protein-packed beach snack.
Alright, cottage cheese may not sound super exciting. But blended up with some fruit, it makes an awesome high protein breakfast! A go-to combo is cottage cheese, frozen berries, milk, and a little honey in the blender.
The cottage cheese packs a protein punch while the fruit makes it sweet and yummy. We’re telling you, it’s so refreshing and delicious - and way lighter than a typical meaty breakfast.
An easy way to add protein (and healthy fats!) to meals is by sprinkling on nuts and seeds. Keep a baggie of chopped almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, etc to toss on salads or in yogurt.
Just watch portions since they’re calorie dense. But they make a nice crunch and an extra protein boost to light summer foods.
Beans, beans, good for your heart! And an awesome meat substitute too. Black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas - they can be added to so many dishes for a protein punch.
We love to make bean burgers by mashing beans with egg, breadcrumbs, and spices. Grill ‘em up just like meat for a satisfying burger minus the red meat.
Or toss beans in a salad, mix into rice or tacos, or blend into a dip. So versatile and easy to make!
Don’t overlook Greek yogurt as a protein powerhouse. It packs up to 20g of protein per serving! You can start your day with a big dollop of Greek yogurt mixed with fruit and granola.
It can keep you full and fueled for hours. Such an easy protein-rich breakfast. Plus it works great in smoothies, parfaits, dips - so many possibilities.
Ready to throw on your bathing suit with confidence knowing these tasty proteins got your back?
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