Week One of Our 30-Day Challenge: High Protein

A diet high in protein is the perfect way to support your weight loss goals.

It’s time to begin our 30-day thinkThin® Lifestyle challenge! This week our focus is on balanced, high protein meals. Why does your body need protein? Research shows that a high-protein diet may be able to satisfy hunger more than high carb or fat diets. A high protein diet can help you take control of your appetite, consume fewer calories and build lean muscle. But not all proteins are created equal. It’s best to include a variety of animal and vegetable proteins and limit foods that are high in saturated fats, like dairy products. Here are our suggestions for this week’s high-protein challenge. We’ve provided some very delicious and interesting menu options to keep your palate happy all week long. Good luck and happy eating!

How it works: You can pick and choose from the recipes below. Make a new recipe each day, or make one or two and save the leftovers to eat throughout the week. It’s up to you!

The Rules:

• Have one breakfast item with coffee or tea, one lunch item, an approved afternoon snack, one dinner item and one dessert.
• Drink 8 glasses of water with fresh lemon throughout the day.
• Find time for at least 30 minutes of exercise, even if it’s just a walk around the neighborhood.
• Post at least one comment on this post each week to let us know how you’re doing, challenges, successes, etc.
• Take a “before” and “after” picture to submit after the 30 days are complete.

Week One: Protein Packed Menu

Breakfast Options:

Scrambled egg whites with tomatoes, spinach and feta cheese

Protein-Packed Green Smoothie

Chocolate Coconut Banana Protein Shake

Carrot Almond Spice Muffins

Fresh Peach Hemp Protein Smoothie

Snack Options:

thinkThin® protein bar with fruit

thinkThin® crunch bar with fruit

thinkThin® bites with fruit

Lunch Options:

Grilled chicken salad with Annie’s Naturals Goddess Dressing

Edamame Dip with Marys Gone Crackers

Spinach salad with grape tomatoes, pine nuts and feta cheese

Red Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad with grilled chicken

Tuscan white bean salad

Dinner Options:

Protein-Rich Black Quinoa Salad with grilled chicken or tofu

Mustard Lime Chicken with red quinoa and grilled veggies

Grilled chipotle lime salmon with brown rice and steamed veggies

Turkey tacos with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, onions and black beans

Dessert options:

Frozen grapes

Fruit & Greek yogurt parfait

Fresh fruit salad