Return of the Carb Queen
Over the past few weeks, you may recall my mentioning that I was attempting to increase my protein intake as part of a school assignment. Specifically, I was to choose a health-related behavior and try to incorporate it into my daily routine. Accordingly, I chose to increase my protein intake, a goal I have had for a while but never seemed to make it onto my New Years’ resolutions list. In retrospect, however, my chosen health behavior was anything but fitting for me and my lifestyle—I am a carb queen, after all. Here are a few lessons I learned from the experience:
-I really love Greek yogurt. Simple as that. Although the price differential between Greek-style and regular is substantial, I just don’t think I can bear to go back to my plain Stonyfield now.
-It’s a pain in the ass to eat a high-protein vegetarian diet. If you wish to exercise any sort of moderation in terms of your soy intake, it’s near impossible to get a significant protein hit without consuming hundreds of Calories. Dairy offers considerable amounts, but a girl can’t live on Greek yogurt alone (as tempting as it may be).
-My love of vegetables makes for a carbohydrate-rich diet. Throughout the project, I found that I would shun an extra helping of veggies in favor of more beans or tofu (gasp!). One of the reasons I’ve never endorsed a low-carbohydrate/high-protein diet is that they often encourage the consumption of protein-rich foods over fruits and vegetables, known sources of carbohydrates. Broccoli wins over protein in my book though.
-I crave carbohydrates. It’s no secret that I love anything sweet or bready, so I found myself wishing for a handful of pretzels or a bowl of cereal…but often had to settle for seitan jerky or a cheese stick.
The 4-week project is finally complete, however, so I am looking forward to busting out the Peanut Butter Puffins. Have you ever tried to alter your diet in some way? Were you successful?
Whew, that little rant got rather lengthy. Onto the grub!
Tuesday
Oh berry HempShake, how I missed thee.
Wednesday
I’ve had a bottle of kefir sitting in my fridge for a while now, and I decided it would make an excellent addition to overnight oats. Last night, I soaked about a half-cup of oats in 2/3 c kefir, cinnamon, stevia, and a little water. This morning it was a deliciously pudding-like texture; I added homemade cranberry sauce and chopped pecans. YUM.
My lunch today had a decidedly tropical twist. I made a big salad with all my faves: marinated tofu (the same way I did here), grilled veggies, pineapple, mushrooms, & Brazil nuts.
It was pretty miserable today weather-wise, so chili was the obvious choice for dinner, which I supplement with some steamed kale and organic grapes.
I am pooped. I think I need to go with a relax with a bowl of carbo-riffic cereal. Good night.
Filed under: Meals
Hello and welcome! I have created this blog for people who love food, especially healthful, vegetarian food.
I have just graduated from Duke University with degrees in English and psychology. I plan to pursue a master's degree in nutrition starting in Fall 2010. Ideally, I would like to combine my love of food and the written word someday as a health writer.
I love the looks of that platter with all the veggies and squash!! So delicious looking
it was interesting to read your reflections and i am glad the queen is back to claim her throne!
Broccoli over protein? Me too!
I’m actually trying to do more protein these days, but for me it’s easier since I et meat. Tried adding Greek yogurt back into my diet. My belly said no, but gosh that stuff is good!
Peanut Butter chili – one word: WOW!
Hope you enjoyed your Puffins.
hehehe
i liked your behavioral modification project! I absolutely love protein and actually don’t like carbs much ;p we’re food opposites!
your cranberry and pecan concoction reminds me of Allie
Those oats sound fantastic and the grilled salad is gorgeous with all those various veggies and tofu
I’m not much of a meat eater, so having a high protein diet is difficult for me as well, especially without overloading on the eggs or dairy! I’ve come to believe that soy is ok to have in every meal (i.e. soy milk for breakfast, miso for lunch, and tofu for dinner), as long as it’s not a processed form. I choose that delicious looking overnight oats over sausage, bacon, and ham any day!
those overnights oats are so creative! i love it!
No joke, I have been thinking about the pumpkin walnut bread from Great Harvest ever since we went there 2 weeks ago! I don’t go a day without thinking about it (hahaha jk I just wanted to say that).
Seriously, I love my carbs too. I was noshing on graham crackers tonight big time. My tummy kinda hurts now!
i a currently trying to change my diet. i need to gain HEALTH..number one.
increase all aspects
I was a lacto-ovo vegetarian for eight years and definitely struggled with the protein thing! Actually, I was pretty clueless about it. I thought peanut butter and beans were enough for protein, but they’re still more fat and carbs respectively. And I get you on not wanting to OD on dairy and soy. They’re great… but not high amounts in every. single. meal. If you’re body is happy with carbs, I think that’s okay
I actually felt pretty crummy as a veggie, and have since learned my body prefers the animal protein!
i like that tropical salad… so pretty!
i’ve done many challenges in term of diet… most of them were successful but not all beneficial (like raw)
I hate carbs!
kidding, kidding
Ooh sorry I never answered your question from a few days ago! I haven’t tried roasted cashews. The only roasted ones I’ve tried were for the peanut butter cup babies. But seeing my love of salt, maybe I should try roasted, salted cashews too! Or flavored nuts… Oh the possibilities
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Your tropical salad looks so amazing. So pretty too! Ive actually never tried overnight oats.. I always crave hot things in the morning.. do you micro your oats or just eat em cold?
I can’t go back to plain yogurt after being a Greek girl. The texture of plain yogurt just grosses me out! I love me some carby-deliciousness
I have been trying to up my protein too. It’s really hard on a vegan diet, especially when your active like I am.
PB Chili?! Insane!
Aahhh that tropical salad looks amazing!
I am totally the same way with carbs. Fruit and veggies are my favorite things on earth. I am perpetually trying to squeeze my protein in wherever I can get it – but I don’t really like ANY protein source as much as like fruits, veggies, bread, cereal, etc.
im a carb queen right there with ya girl
what a great post! i get SO cranky without carbs!!! i dont think i cuold do it.. i do kind of want to try some sort of food ‘challenge/experiment’ for myself though!
greek yogurt is the best
Did you notice any differences in your body over the past four weeks? Just curious if you could tell you were getting more protein.
Hello, carb queen
I think changing your diet is a great way to learn new things about ourselves. In the day I went vegan, I learned that I loooooove So Delicious Plain Soy Yogurt, and that milk products are in so much more than I would expect
I am with you on two things of this post, first broccoli definitely wins over any savory food group, and then there is the greek yogurt… I feel your pain when you say that you can’t go back to reular stonyfield plain yogurt, I can’t either!
Greek yogurt is just too wonderful, after I discovered it I started having more and more of it and the plain stonyfield farms just don’t do it anymore for me.
The best greek by far is Fage, but Trader Joes has the 2% greek yogurt that has an awesome price and also good taste and texture!
Ana
peanut butter chili?!! I made some pumpkin chili but the pb chili sounds even better!!!
i do love greek yog too and its amazing how high in protein it is!! I have tried the low carb thing when i was in HS but it was a no go because I just missed my beloved carbies too much!
Before reading blogs I was always like wtf is greek yogurt. Then I tried it and I thought wtf are people thinking eating this. Now I pretty much never eat any other kind of yogurt. Go Go Greek Yo Yo haha wow that was ridiculously whack
Hi Caroloine!!
I am a lover of your blogg:) I recently started my own and just did a protein power post! when I first went vegetarian I realized I was getting almost NO protein all day! Just lots of veggies! I definitly eat too much soy, and am eating more beans and seiten/tempeh now…?? Greek yogurt is a FAVORITE of mine! Anyway, I just wanted to say hi and talk about protein!
Also, your grilled veggies/tofu are outstandingly beautiful!! And can you share your peanut butter chili creation?!
<3 Dara
I agree that it would be hard to be a vegetarian and eat a lot of protein! I’d probably live off of dairy.. oh wait I already do! just kidding
I love the sound of that kefir breakfast! I’ve never tried kefir before but my boyfriend loves it!