SerpApi.Org
If you ask any fitness-minded individual what their default protein option is when meal prepping, it’s probably grilled chicken breast. It’s relatively cheap, easy to prepare, and pairs well with different side dishes.
It also gets boring very quickly. Since it’s so lean, the taste can be lacking at times, even if you’re good at seasoning. Eating this five nights a week or more gets old fast.
But it’s so ingrained in bodybuilding culture that it almost feels wrong to stray away from it. Today, however, we’re making a change. Here are five real alternative protein sources (not peanut butter or legumes) that slide effortlessly into your macros in place of chicken:
1. Shrimp
Often overlooked as a protein source, shrimp is one of the leanest foods you can buy, and it cooks in minutes. Some people are scared off by the dietary cholesterol content, but research indicates that dietary cholesterol has a minimal effect on blood cholesterol for most people. It takes on almost any flavor profile (cajun, citrus, garlic), so it doesn’t get boring the way chicken can.
2. Tuna
Canned tuna has come a long way. Get your hands on some skipjack tuna and you’ll be shocked how good it is right out of the container. It’s lean and works well on a sandwich or in salads. Unfortunately, due to the mercury content, you probably want to limit yourself to about three servings per week.
3. Pork Tenderloin
Pork? That’s too fatty.
This is a common misconception because when people think of pork, they think of things like bacon, ribs, or pulled pork (pork shoulder). But pork tenderloin only has about 3-5 grams of fat per four-ounce serving. Couple that with 24 grams of protein and you just found your new dinner for the week.
4. Eggs
Eggs are about as easy to prepare as it gets. A 3-4 egg scramble or a vegetable frittata is a legitimate full meal with some serious protein. Whole eggs are also one of the best sources of choline, an essential nutrient for brain function and mood. If you are being mindful of fat content, swap out a few whole eggs for egg whites.
5. Lean Steak
You probably won’t be able to fit a ribeye or T-bone into your macros, but that doesn’t mean steak is completely off the menu. At the same time, you don’t have to choke down some top round either (unless you want to). There is a nice middle ground of options where the fat content is manageable, like flank, top sirloin, or New York strip.
Final Thoughts
Variety in your food is important, not just for getting different nutrients, but for your sanity as well. Part of the reason people stray from their diet is because they can’t fathom choking down another chicken breast. But you don’t have to anymore. Rotating in shrimp, tuna, pork tenderloin, eggs, and a good cut of steak keeps your macros (and fitness goals) on track.
