12 Genius Hacks a Dietitian Uses to Double Her Protein "Without Touching Chicken"
Ever stared at another plain chicken breast ,wondering if there's a better way to meet your protein goals? You're not alone. While most women need between 50-60 grams of protein daily, getting there can feel like an endless cycle of chicken and protein shakes. That's where Abbey Sharp comes in. As a Registered Dietitian and founder of Abbey's Kitchen Inc., she's cracked the code on creative protein-boosting tricks that actually work for real life. These genius hacks will help you double your protein intake without touching another piece of chicken.
Swap Your Basic Grains for Protein-Rich Alternatives
"When choosing carbs, we want to think about fiber, but if we can get our carbs to have dual citizenship – meaning they offer protein too – we're really getting ahead of the game," Abbey explains in her post. She recommends switching from white rice (4g protein per cup) to powerhouse alternatives like amaranth (9g protein), quinoa (8g protein), or legume-based pasta (13g protein).
Use This Secret Ingredient When Cooking Rice
If you're not ready to give up your favorite white rice, Abbey has a brilliant solution: "A cup of white rice cooked in bone broth will have over 12 grams of protein, compared to just 4 grams when cooked in water." This simple swap triples your protein while adding rich flavor.
Turn Your Morning Cereal Into a Protein Powerhouse
For cereal lovers, Abbey shares her game-changing breakfast hack: "Add protein powder to your milk before pouring it over your cereal. This simple trick adds 22 grams of protein and turns a light snack into a filling meal."
Transform Any Soup Into a Protein-Rich Meal
"Adding just half a cup of white beans to your soup will give you an extra nine grams of protein plus five grams of fiber," Abbey reveals. These creamy beans blend seamlessly into any soup, creating a protein-packed meal you'll actually want to eat.
Make Your Avocado Toast Work Harder
Abbey elevates this breakfast favorite with a smart addition: "Mix or puree cottage cheese with your mashed avocado. Adding just a half cup between two slices of bread adds an extra 13 grams of protein."
Blend This Secret Ingredient Into Your Smoothies
"Silken tofu is another great vegan smoothie base that adds body and protein without any extra flavor," Abbey shares. This hack works particularly well for anyone who doesn't love the taste of protein powder.
Upgrade Your Chia Pudding Game
Abbey transforms basic chia pudding into a protein powerhouse: "By adding one cup of kefir instead of almond milk, you'll boost the protein content from 5 grams to 14 grams." Plus, you'll get beneficial probiotics.
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Double Your Oatmeal's Protein Content
"Try mixing a quarter cup of oats with a quarter cup of hemp hearts," Abbey advises. This simple swap increases protein content from 5 to 14 grams, while adding healthy fats that keep you fuller longer.
Try This Chef's Secret for High-Protein Oats
One of Abbey's signature recipes packs a serious protein punch: "Even if made with just water, adding a cup of egg whites to your half cup of oats gives you over 30 grams of protein." She promises it doesn't taste like eggs.
Make Your Eggs Work Double Duty
Abbey shares her egg-cellent trick: "Add two egg whites to your two whole eggs to boost protein from 14 grams to 22 grams while still getting all the nutrients from the yolks."
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Double Your Dip's Protein Content
"Adding a quarter cup of cottage cheese or Greek yogurt to your store-bought hummus or guacamole will add an extra six to eight grams of protein," Abbey reveals, making your snacks actually filling.
Transform Basic Mac and Cheese
For comfort food lovers, Abbey's genius hack delivers: "Add a heaping cup of pureed cottage cheese and chopped broccoli to your boxed mac and cheese. The cottage cheese thickens the sauce while adding protein, and the veggies add fiber and volume." And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.