Saturday, January 9, 2010

Protein Snacks

Last March I had the unpleasant experience with taking Prednisone for three weeks. While it really helped with chronic headaches/sinus inflammation, it was also an instant weight gain program. It was difficult to be working out and gaining weight at the same time. So, once I was done with my treatment I was determined to loose the weight I had gained.

I found an article in a fitness magazine about a "Protein Diet." While I wan't interested in going on a complete "diet," I thought the diet was based on a good principle: Eating protein rich foods keeps you fuller, longer. So, you end up eating less in the long run. So what I decided to do was cut out all snacks in my diet, except protein snacks. It was really hard to give up some of my favorite snacks, like pretzels and pizza gold fish, but I realized I would eat these snacks and still be hungry, so I would eat more and more. I am happy to say that I lost 11 pounds with this change in my diet. Additionally, I only drink coffee and water (no soda, no juice) and no snacks after dinner.

Some of my favorite protein snacks include:

Non-fat chocolate pudding cup with 1/3 cup of mixed berries
2 cups of microwave popcorn (no butter) sprinkled with 1 Tablespoon of Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup black bean (warmed) with 1/4 avocado wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla
1 ounce of reduced fat cheddar cheese with 4 whole wheat crackers
2 Tablespoons nonfat peanut butter with 4 whole wheat crackers
Hard Boiled Egg

2 comments:

  1. these sound good! i am on pred. all the time for the last year, can't seem to get off. my body is so addicted. I gained 12 pounds, but i really needed it. but now i have to watch what i eat, I don't want to gain anymore! thanks for the tips.

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  2. I'm on a low dose of prednisone until transplant, but haven't really put on too much weight, but my tummy gets nice and round so I think I lose muscle and it becomes fat. Not a good exchange! Protein is always good for us CFers, I need more of it.

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