Eating enough protein in your daily diet is essential for providing enough fuel to your muscles and supporting healthy weight loss (and supporting healthy aging). Whether you follow a vegan diet or just lack cooking inspiration, sometimes it can be difficult to find hearty, satisfying meals that meet those protein needs.
To start this week off on the right foot, we’ve rounded up the four best high-protein meals to try when you need a hearty meal that will help you lose weight (without ever sacrificing flavor!)
LEARN MORE: 5 Protein-Rich Foods That Virtually Guarantee a Flatter Belly: 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 ideal for meal prep if you have a busy week and don’t want to cook after work every day, and with a colorful array of vegetables paired with 37 grams of protein per serving, this meal is guaranteed to fill you up. and satisfy you all evening.
Ingredients: Arugula, grape tomatoes, canned corn, black beans, chicken breast, salt, pepper, basmati rice, paprika, cumin, cayenne
Full recipe
2. Lentil and Tahini Pasta
For those on a plant-based diet, it can be especially difficult to get enough protein each day. Lentils are one of the best ways to reach your eating goals, and with a fairly neutral taste, they can be added to almost any savory dish to flesh out your meal and keep you full long after you’ve eaten. 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 looking to even dip their toes into a plant-based diet.
Ingredients: Rigatoni, lentils, vegetable broth, paprika, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, pasta water, tomato paste, tahini, spinach
Full recipe
3. Seared salmon and spinach
Salmon is not only rich in healthy fats, but also offers plenty of protein. Paired with a variety of flavorful, perfectly seared vegetables, this dish comes together in just 30 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight staple for when you’re short on time and want a meal you’ll love. know it will keep you full and promote healthy weight loss. without monopolizing your time in the kitchen.
Ingredients: Olive oil, salmon fillets, salt, garlic, dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, capers, spinach
Full recipe
4. Protein-Rich Vegan Salad Bowl
This salad packs 40 grams of plant-based protein and is a delicious and filling yet light meal to dig into when the weather starts to warm up and you want something fresh. Tofu and tempeh are the main sources of protein in this meal, but the bowl is also loaded with a variety of green vegetables to add density to your dinner as well as plenty of fiber to aid digestion.
Ingredients: Tempeh, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, maple syrup, garlic powder, salt and pepper, firm tofu, steamed broccoli, arugula, cucumber, hemp seeds, avocado, chickpeas, tahini
Full recipe