More Protein, More Progress: A Simple Guide to Smarter Eating
When I first started my GLP-1 journey, Altranais Wellness emphasized the importance of protein in my diet. “Great!” I thought. “I can handle that!” But then I wondered, how do I incorporate more protein into my meals?
Thanks to my background in hospitality and the guidance of Anne Margaret Perry, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, at Altranais Wellness, I combined my food knowledge with her nutritional expertise and created a go-to list of high-protein foods.
But before diving into the list, I wanted to understand why protein was such a big deal. Here’s what I learned:
Protein boosts metabolism.
It reduces appetite.
It positively influences weight-regulating hormones.
And most importantly, it helps with weight loss and belly fat reduction.
I also wanted to know how much protein I needed daily. Anne explained that I should aim for 1-2 servings (about 5.5 ounces each) per day. Armed with that information, I set out to make protein a key part of my meals.
With my list in hand, I started meal prepping to stay on track even with my busy work schedule. Preparing my meals in advance allowed me to make smarter choices and avoid mindless snacking throughout the day.
Chicken, shrimp, turkey bacon
Alternative: All of these can be added to salads, omelets, or low carb pastas
Egg and veggie scramble
Boiled Eggs
Chef’s tip: also add to a salad
Omelet, frittata, egg bites
Cottage Cheese
Greek yogurt
Chicken Sausage
Protein Shake
Chef’s Tip: check out Altranais Wellness Facebook page, they just posted a link for shake recipes
Protein Bars (Check out my favorite bars!)
Deli Meat wrapped in string cheese
Tuna salad
Egg salad
Chicken salad (I have a great recipe for using leftover roasted chicken, let me know if you would like me to post it)
Beef & broccoli stir fry
Chef’s tip: substitute cauliflower rice
Nuts
Chef’s tip: I add slivered almonds to my chicken salad!
Jerky and meat sticks (These come in great portion packs!)
Chef’s tip: if you know a hunter, Venison jerky is a favorite
String Cheese
Pumpkin seeds
Turkey roll ups
Low carb granola
P3 Protein snacks (quick and pre-prepped for you)
Celery and Peanut Butter
Alternative: Almond butter as a good substitute
Carrots and hummus
Kodiak or Generic brand of Protein pancakes
Chef’s tip: 2 cakes are portion size, you can premake 4-6 and put them in toaster to heat up on another day! Add blueberries, bananas or apples for a change!
Alternative: Sub Non-Dairy Almond whipped cream for maple syrup! Just as sweet, less calories
The Gains Beyond the Scale
Within my first three weeks, I saw some incredible progress. While the scale showed a loss of 3.5 pounds, the real gains were:
Increased energy throughout the day.
Reduced hunger and fewer snack cravings.
Less binge-eating during downtime.
It’s been amazing to see how these changes have reshaped not just my eating habits but my mindset.
Support Makes All the Difference
During those first few weeks, I leaned heavily on Anne’s support—calling or texting her five or six times as I adjusted to this new lifestyle. Her encouragement was invaluable, and now I’m the one sending her recipes and tips to share with other Altranais Wellness clients!
I’d love to hear from you—what are your favorite protein-packed ideas, tips, and recipes? I’m always looking for new ways to cook chicken breasts, so share your secrets with me!
Gratefully,
Kristen
(GLP-1 user and Altranais Wellness client)
