Sweet Tooth Sweet Life

A Love of Food, Fitness, & Fashion

Lacking The Protein

By 50 Comments

I’m sure I’ll be paying for it soon enough, but today’s lunch was totally worth it.

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I say “paying for it” because it seems like any time I’ve enjoyed a salad for lunch in the past few weeks, I end up with a total food baby and am all bloated and gross.

Why is it that the foods that are good for me are the ones that bother me the most??

Ok, rant for the day is done…moving on!

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Today’s salad was chock-full of veggie goodness:

  • spring mix
  • cukes
  • grape tomatoes
  • baby carrots
  • red peppers
  • bread & butter pickles (LOVE B&B pickles!!)
  • scallions
  • dried cranberries
  • strawberries
  • goat cheese
  • sunflower seeds

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Unfortunately, I realized about halfway through that I was totally lacking in the protein department, so I’m sure it won’t hold me over too long. I’ve got to get better about that…

After finishing that beast up there, I needed a little something to satisfy my sweet tooth. Remember theeeese?

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I had saved a few of these Lemon Raspberry Muffins from when I made them last month, so when I opened up the freezer and saw them this morning, I decided to take them out to defrost.

It tasted just as good as I remembered. Smile

Question for the Afternoon:

What are your favorite sources of protein for a salad?

About Courtney

I'm a working mom of two beautiful little boys, Lucas and Alex, and I began writing Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life in April 2010. I enjoy chronicling my love of food (healthy and indulgent!), baking, motherhood, fitness, fashion, and everything in between!

Comments

  1. Carrie (Moves 'N Munchies) says

    oh i love adding beans, lentils and tofu to salads!! i make a asian cheezy tofu sauce that i just pour over salads and it FULL of protein! its on my recipe page just fyi.. but other than that... beans and lentils are easy and yummy when mixed with some spices!
    Reply

  2. Dawn @ Blonde on a Mission says

    Chicken! Or a cut up turkey burger. And I can totally sympathize/relate with the bloated mess after healthy foods! Why us?! I need to pretty much lock myself away if I have a vegetable-rich day. I don't understand why we have to suffer, digestively, for the foods that are supposedly going to make us live longer. Anyways, that muffin looks amazing! lol I just got set off on a rant because I was wondering the exact same thing yesterday.
    Reply

  7. Cute~Ella says

    Chick peas, chicken, tofu, feta, olives, sliced hard boiled egg, string cheese sliced up...lots of options. But then again, I just put whatever's on hand in a salad.
    Reply

  11. Cara says

    Your salad is so colorful! I love to add lentils to my salads, or some chicken, tuna, cottage cheese, or nuts. It depends what kind of mood I'm in.
    Reply

  12. Kathryn says

    Mmmm, I love salads! Wish I had the fixings for one today. When I make a salad, I like to add some grilled chicken or, more recently, I've taken to slicing up some turkey lunchmeat.
    Reply

  15. Steph @ StephSnacks says

    I have to say that one of my favorite sources for protein in a salad is tofu! or seared tuna... although I only get the seared tuna at restaurants ;) you're salad seems refreshing and such a nice mix with the scallions, goat cheese, and cranberries!
    Reply

  17. Heather says

    Have you ever looked into "food combining?" While I'm not sure how I feel about all of its principles, I definitely agree with some of the basic rules. One is that drinking a lot of water while during a meal can hinder digestion and leave you feeling bloated so you should try and save water until a little while afterward. Another is to only eat fruit on an empty stomach and not in combination or after other foods due to its digestive properties. I do not follow this very closely, but it might be worth looking into based on your symptoms. Couldn't hurt, right?!
    Reply

  18. Emily says

    I had a salad today (like a lot of week days) and I threw some beans in the mix. It's easy and doesn't require you to cook (if you use canned like me). I also like hummus on a salad...or edamame.
    Reply

  20. Jamie aka "Sometimes Healthy" Girl says

    It's so funny you write this because I'm suffering from the same problem right now. I'm starved because I didn't get enough protein at lunch. And all I have in my cubicle is plain oatmeal. bleh. I think turkey, cottage cheese and egg whites are my fave sources of protein for salads. I like to keep them light n' refreshing.
    Reply

  21. Ruthie Hart says

    oh my gosh my mouth is always watering at the site of your salads! I have been trying to get my hubby to start eating salads, I need to show him these pics! We are on a goat cheese kick right now ;-)
    Reply

  26. Shayla says

    Although I tend to get the bloated tummy too, I love having salads for lunch, especially in the summertime! I get tired of meat and beans on my salad, so I always like to just eat it by itself and get my protein source with a side of greek yogurt. So refreshing and takes care of that sweet tooth I always get after my meals ;)
    Reply

  27. Corey says

    Yummy salad! I have a question about the cute little muffin.... How do you freeze your muffins? In what, how long are they good for, how do you defrost them? Thanks Courtney! PS... as far as the protein... I do love a cut up boca burger or some tuna :)
    Reply

    • Courtney says

      I'm super easy...they went into the freezer in a sandwich baggie and I defrosted them by letting them sit on the counter. It's about 110 degrees in my house right now, so it didn't take long. ;)
      Reply

  29. Sarah says

    That salad looks incredible! And I too suffer from the leafy green food baby syndrome. Something I've come to terms with ;) I really like cheese on salads for protein. You can get a remarkable amount of protein with just a bit of cheese! Canned tuna is a quickie I love too
    Reply

  30. Kelsey says

    I have the same problem when I eat a bunch of raw veggies. After a little bit of research I realized that my body simply has a harder time digesting the complex carbs often found in raw veggies, beans, etc. Get some Beano. No joke! Whenever I'm planning on attacking a salad beast I simply pop a Beano right before and I'm good to go. No gas, bloating, etc. Life saver!
    Reply

  31. Lindsey @ Cardio Pizza says

    Raw veggies always make my stomach hurt, especially broccoli. Unfortunately I just have to avoid em' if I want to feel good. Cooked veggies sooth me much better. Or like the previous comment, sometimes an enzyme supplement can help! Plus drinking plenty of water to keep things movin' along!
    Reply

  32. Liv @ The Salty n' Sweet says

    I love putting tuna and lots of nuts/cheese in my salad for protein! And don't get me started on watermelon and my digestive system. It's such a great fruit for the body, yet my body just doesn't seem to like it :(
    Reply

  35. Amanda says

    I like including either black beans or canellini beans in my salads. If I'm splurging and putting together a salad at Whole Foods, I'll pick up a small salmon fillet from the deli case.
    Reply

  36. Khushboo says

    I had a monster of a salad for lunch yday and I think I spent half the afternoon walking around with a fiber baby gah! Favorite protein sources are dairy, chicken, seafood/fish, soy products, egg-whites and beans/legumes!
    Reply

  38. Christina says

    This salad looks amazing! I love adding cottage cheese to mine for protein :) Sorry about the stomach issues though -- maybe drink more water? I find if I eat a huge salad and don't drink enough water, it kinda just all sits in there.
    Reply

  39. Shana Powell says

    I have been having the same baby belly issues! I love, love, love fruits and veggies but seem to be having a really hard time digesting them lately. I had to seriously cut back my portion sizes and eat small amounts frequently, but sometimes that doesn't even help. I hope your tummy feels better! It's not fun to look pregnant when you're not actually pregnant!
    Reply

  40. Holly says

    Not sure if you have ever heard it before, but I was told that you should cut the seeds out of the cucumber to avoid getting gas. Might be tmi, but thought you might appreciate it- I always cut my seeds out...and it helps keep salad fresh longer :)
    Reply

    • Courtney says

      I actually have heard that before but didn't know how true it was...good to know! Thanks pretty lady :-D
      Reply

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