I struggle to hit my protein goals. What is the easiest way to add more protein?

Short answer: focus on easy swaps and one-add strategies you can stick with — add a high-protein item at every meal and keep ready-to-eat protein snacks available. Below are simple, practical moves (with brand examples) and a quick sample day.

Quick, highest-return moves

• Add a scoop of protein powder to smoothies/oatmeal/coffee. Brands: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey (reliable mixability, 24 g protein), Legion Whey+ (clean ingredients), or Orgain/Vega (plant-based options).
• Make Greek yogurt or cottage cheese your breakfast/snack base. Brands: Fage or Chobani Greek yogurt (high protein, thick texture); Good Culture cottage cheese (creamy, high protein).
• Keep quick ready-to-drink shakes/RTD protein for busy days. Brands: Premier Protein (30 g protein, widely available) or Orgain Protein Shakes (plant-based).
• Use canned tuna/salmon for fast lunches. Brand: Wild Planet (sustainably caught, good flavor).
• Swap to higher-protein staples: Banza chickpea pasta (higher protein than regular pasta), Ezekiel sprouted bread (more protein and nutrients), Fairlife milk (higher protein cow’s milk) or Ripple pea milk (higher-protein plant milk).

Practical, everyday swaps

• Breakfast: replace a bowl of cereal with Greek yogurt + fruit or eggs + toast. (Eggs are easy: 2 eggs ≈12 g protein.)
• Lunch: add a 4-oz portion of grilled chicken, canned tuna, or tempeh. Rotisserie chicken from the grocery is fast.
• Snacks: string cheese (Sargento), beef/ turkey jerky (EPIC, Krave), handful of almonds or a protein bar (Quest, RXBAR).
• Dinner: bulk protein first — 4–6 oz fish, chicken, lean beef, tofu or tempeh. Add beans or lentils as a second protein.
• Baking and cooking: stir a scoop of protein powder into pancake batter, oatmeal, or yogurt; use cottage cheese in lasagna or blended into smoothies as a creamy protein boost.

Convenience services if you want hands-off

• ButcherBox — monthly delivery of high-quality meat (easy to keep protein-rich meals on hand).
• Factor_ (Factor Meals) — fresh, prepared meals with clear macro info; has high-protein meal options.
• Daily Harvest (for smoothies/scoops) and pre-made protein bowls from many grocery chains can help too.

Sample “easy” day to illustrate how it adds up (approximate protein)

• Breakfast: Greek yogurt (1 cup) + scoop protein powder in a smoothie = ~40–45 g
• Lunch: 4 oz chicken breast + salad = ~25–30 g
• Snack: Premier Protein shake or handful of almonds + string cheese = ~20–30 g
• Dinner: 4 oz salmon + 1/2 cup lentils = ~30–35 g Total ≈ 115–140 g (adjust portions to your goal)

Tracking and sustainability

• Use an app like MyFitnessPal or Cronometer to quickly see how additions move you toward your goal.
• Aim to include 20–40 g protein per main meal and a 10–30 g snack — that’s usually plenty for most people.
• If you have kidney disease or other health issues, check with your doctor before increasing protein substantially.

If you want, tell me:

• Your daily protein goal (g) or body weight,
• Any dietary preferences (vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free), and I’ll give a tailored one-week easy meal/snack plan and a shopping list.