Planning your daily breakfast can be quite a fuss so making eggs your go-to breakfast will definitely reduce your preparation woes! Eggs are so versatile that they can be enjoyed in so many ways.

Nuts are an extremely rich source of protein. Sprinkling a few of your favourite nuts over your lunch salad or mid-day snack is a really simple way of increasing protein. Almonds, walnuts or pistachios pair extremely well with salads or oatmeal bowls.

Getting a good protein powder is a great tool in helping your weight loss efforts as kick-starting your day with a protein shake is sure to get your metabolism running first thing in the morning. We assure that with the addition of a fruit and a scoop of peanut butter, your protein shake is sure to keep your satiated till lunch hour comes around. Protein shakes can also be a great late-afternoon snack, right before gym class.

Plan your protein first, then build a meal around it. Make protein the VIP of your dish! When visiting the supermarket, purchase a variety of meats from the poultry and seafood section and store them in your freezer for future use. Meal prep will be a breeze.

The perfect bite-sized protein snack that can keep your hunger in check? Hard boiled eggs. Instead of waiting for these delicious and creamy gems to be boiled, cook them in batches and store them in your fridge for up to one week. You can pop in for a delicious snack at any time with these handy eggs around.

How to increase your protein intake even more? Upgrade your wheat pasta to mung bean pasta. These nutritious green strips of noodles can be found in our local supermarkets and are made with protein-packed lentils. These strips of pasta might even have a better taste than regular wheat spaghetti!

If you’re a cheese lover, you can now cheese it up- in the name of protein! Hold on, we’re not saying you should order pizza tonight. Enjoying cheese in your salads and with your fruits is equally delicious. Okay, that might have been a reach. But we can’t deny how yummy cheese tastes paired with fruits and crackers! Enjoying your salad with feta, parmesan or goat cheese makes it taste absolutely delightful as well.

A spoonful of almond or peanut butter can be a rich and flavourful addition that make your morning oatmeal, milkshakes, yoghurt bowls or snacks even more appetizing. A spoonful of natural nut butter never hurts!

How can we get even more protein in our meals? It’s as easy as switching out your rice or salad leaves to quinoa! Rougher in texture than couscous, quinoa is packed with all the amino acids that will boost the nutritional content of your food.

The best dip ever? Hummus! Plus, it comes packed with protein and healthy fat. Perfect for serving with carrot or celery sticks, hummus can also be used as a salad topping. Experiment around with this smooth spread as it can be a great addition to almost any dish. You’ll love the rich flavour it brings to your meals.

Text: Divyata Raut/SHAPE