Eating enough protein within your day-to-day diet is essential for providing adequate fuel to your muscles and supporting healthy weight loss (and promoting healthy aging). Whether you follow a plant-based diet or simply lack inspiration with your cooking, it can sometimes be difficult to find hearty and satisfying meals that meet these protein requirements.
To start off this week on the right foot, we rounded up the four best, protein-packed dishes to try when you’re in need of a filling meal that will allow you to lose weight (without ever sacrificing flavor!)
READ MORE: 5 High-Protein Foods That Practically Guarantee A Flatter Stomach—They Boost Your Metabolism!
1. Chicken Burrito Bowls
Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein that is incredibly diverse in the ways it can be prepared. This chicken burrito bowl is great for meal prep if you have a busy week and don’t want to cook after work everyday, and with a colorful array of veggies paired with 37 grams of protein per serving, this meal is guaranteed to fill you up and keep you satisfied all evening long.
Ingredients: Arugula, grape tomatoes, canned corn, black beans, chicken breast, salt, pepper, basmati rice, paprika, cumin, cayenne
2. Lentil Tahini Pasta
For those following a plant-based diet it can be especially difficult to consume enough protein each day. Lentils are one of the best ways to reach your intake goals, and with a fairly neutral taste they can be added into almost any savory dish to bulk up your meal and keep you full long after eating. Loaded with a variety of delicious flavors and served with greens for an extra boost of vitamins and minerals, this dish is perfect for anyone even looking to dip their toes into a plant-based diet.
Ingredients: Rigatoni, lentils, veggie broth, paprika, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, pasta water, tomato paste, tahini, spinach
3. Pan Seared Salmon & Spinach
Salmon is not only rich in healthy fats but also offers ample protein. Paired with a variety of flavorful veggies and pan seared to perfection this dish comes together in only 30 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight staple for when you’re low on time and want a meal you know will keep you full and promote healthy weight loss without monopolizing your time in the kitchen.
Ingredients: Olive oil, salmon filets, salt, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, capers, spinach
4. High-Protein Vegan Salad Bowl
This salad boasts 40 grams of plant-based protein and is a delicious and filling yet light meal to dig into as the weather starts getting warmer and you want something fresh. Tofu and tempeh act as the primary sources of protein in this meal, but the bowl is also filled with a variety of greens to add density to your dinner as well as plenty of fiber to improve digestion on top of it all.
Ingredients: Tempeh, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, maple syrup, garlic powder, salt and pepper, firm tofu, steamed broccoli, arugula, cucumber, hemp seeds, avocado, chickpeas, tahini
