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I’ve always been a heavy exerciser. Now that I’m 71, and walking is more difficult, I ride my stationary bike and lift weights daily. Exercising has helped me control my weight, keep my cholesterol in check, and give me the energy to power through the day.
So, I was surprised last week when I started my walk that I felt so tired, I just wanted to sit in a chair for a while and catch my breath. Since I don’t have the finances to run to the doctor every time I feel out of sorts, it was up to me to find out what was happening and correct the problem.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, “For people with arthritis, plenty of high-quality protein, along with daily exercise, is essential for maintaining muscle strength and function.
Now that I have chronic arthritis pain, I must include more protein. Thankfully, I like all the foods in this post. I can get more done when I have fewer carbs and more protein.
Here are five good sources of protein:
Eggs
Eggs are costly right now, but they are a good source of protein and worth the expense.
A scrambled egg or omelet can hit the spot, but when you need to be out the door in a hurry, you may not have time to indulge in these tasty dishes.
Some preparation can help. Boil as many eggs as you want in a saucepan and put them in the refrigerator for a grab-and-go breakfast the next morning.
You can scramble eggs the night before and fill a tortilla with eggs, sausage or bacon, hashed browns, and cheese. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Wrap the tortillas up and refrigerate them, then microwave them for a minute or two. Then, you will have a nice hot breakfast.
One large egg contains six grams of protein.
Chopped Nuts
My favorite breakfast food is a nice hot bowl of oatmeal, but adding brown sugar and raisins can make it taste too sweet. A fourth cup of peanuts has seven grams of protein and adds some delicious crunch.
Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is delicious from the carton, and if you buy the low-fat version, it has a whopping 28 grams of protein per cup.
Cottage cheese can be added to lasagna, spread on toast, or used as a tasty addition to pancakes or waffles. Mix it with fruit for a good-for-you dessert that won’t break the calorie bank.
Tuna
Tuna can be a pain in the neck for a working lunch. You must put it into an airtight container and find a refrigerator to store it until lunchtime. You must rinse the dish and bring it home when you finish eating.
Thankfully, tuna comes in a convenient pouch, so you don’t have to worry about opening a can. Each pouch has sixteen grams of protein and will fill you up so you’re not tempted to hit the vending machine later.
Tuna salad is one of my favorites. You can make a tasty sandwich with it or eat it right out of the container.
Peanut Butter
I would love to shake the hand of the person who first created peanut butter. Give me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and I am in heaven. Our favorite hamburger joint used to serve peanut butter and jelly on the kids’ menu, and I would always order that sandwich instead of a hamburger.
Now there are convenient single-serving cups that you can carry in your purse. It’s delicious as a veggie dip, smeared on a banana, or a spread for your favorite sandwich. As a bonus, it has about eight grams of protein.
Summary
Arthritis is something you have to deal with on an everyday basis, so you want to look and feel your best. Practice making your favorite dishes healthier. If you’re cooking for your family, introduce protein-rich dishes slowly and let them help prepare. Your joints will feel better, so start today to make those changes.
What kind of protein dishes do you like?
