Losing Weight With P3 Protein Packs
Two and half years ago Nicole and I embarked on a weight loss journey. Like everyone else, we had tried this before with varying amounts of success. Our bookshelf was full of South Beach/Low-Carb/Flavor-of-the-week diet books and even more “healthy-cooking” cookbooks and magazines. Any weight we lost in the short term was eventually gained back as we tired of the foods these sources recommended. No one I knew could eat kale and brussel sprouts day after day! We needed our meats and cheeses!
We are both super into technology and regularly are early adopters whenever a new product is introduced. We had received new iPhone 4’s a few months earlier and were still playing around with the thousands (now 100’s of thousands) of apps available for download via iTunes. To top it off we’re both numbers people. Nicole is an accountant by trade and I was a finance major in college (and the guy that blew the curve on every math test in high school).
We discovered a little know (then) app called MyFitnessPal and quickly became engrossed in the data surrounding what we were putting in our bodies. Not just calories, but sodium, fat and beneficial nutrients. They also had a website with a fledgling forum where users shared tips, experiences, recipes, successes and failures. It was its own community outside of the normal social channels like Facebook or Twitter. What we learned was eye-opening for us.
Let me be the first to say that what worked for us may not work for everyone. But the science is there and is as simple as burning more calories than you intake. We began tracking our foods, not changing what we were eating (which was a lot of take-out). To maintain the recommended calorie consumption we were forced to eat much smaller portions. The plus was we were still eating food we liked, the downside was because it was calorie-dense foods we found ourselves fighting the hunger pains quite often. Eventually we took the time to make more meals at home using only fresh ingredients, no frozen dinners, no helpers-in-a-box, just fresh meats, vegetables and fruits cooked in ways that brought out their flavors (and a few spices didn’t hurt either). I’m proud to say that after a little over 18 months we had lost over 100lbs combined!
Of course with victory comes the after-party. It is hard to resist those late-night burger commercials (and curse you Chili’s with your succulent ribs). Many people have asked “How did you do it?” and I usually just say we “watched what we ate”. The reality is we still try to eat a lower-calorie diet, which helps leave room for those cheats every once in a while.
I created my own plan which I call the 2-4-6 plan. Translated it means this: 200 calories for breakfast, 400 for lunch and 600 for dinner (I’m male, so to lose weight slowly and still get the nutrients I need I should be around 1,500 calories per day). Sum these up and you have 1,200 calories, leaving 300 for snacks and an occasional cheat.
I tried healthier breakfast options like egg white omelettes or oatmeal, but I don’t like having to make my breakfast. I want to pour it out of a box and put milk on it. So I try to choose a cereal that will satiate me until lunch. Usually a corn flake or oat-based cereal is perfect. Notice I also take a multi-vitamin and fish oil, as well as use whole milk.
Lunch rolls around and my go-to meal is a turkey or ham sandwich with all the fixins. I usually add some 2% cottage cheese to get a little more protein (planning ahead to fight the hunger). Today I did good and was well under my goal thanks to using mustard instead of mayonnaise.
Dinner is not Pinterest-worthy, but except for the sodium levels in the ham, was also under my goal. Roasted cabbage has been a staple for us for a while and fruit (even from a can) is better than the chocolate covered ice cream we all really want.
Notice a theme here? Lots of protein. We hit the strength/cardio class at the YMCA a couple times a week and our muscles ache for it. And as you know, protein is key to keeping the growling stomach at bay. Where we still have problems is in-between meals. We like to have a snack around 2-3pm, and again around 8-9pm. Each snack must be limited to around 150 calories in order to stay within our diet. Almost every pre-portioned product out there is nothing but carbs. You can find chips, cookies and more in 100 calorie packs, but almost nothing that will keep you from eating again 30 minutes later. Until we discovered Oscar Mayer’s P3 Protein Packs.
At only 160 calories for three different snacks in one package (and all with high protein), I had to pick some (or twenty) up. Normally around $1.70 at Walmart, these were on special for only $1.00 each!
When 2 o’clock rolled around I pulled one out of the fridge and started right in on the ham. A pleasant surprise was the packaging design which allowed me to open just one section at a time, potentially saving some for a little bit later.
This type of product definitely has filled a great niche for adults who need a quick pick-me-up on the go. There are currently four varieties to choose from (turkey vs. ham vs. chicken) with different cheeses and nuts to go along with them. Having personally eaten three of the four so far, each one did its job of staving off the hunger monster until dinner time (or bed time).
So put down those chips & pretzels (busted!) and grab a P3 Portable Protein Pack next time you have the urge to munch. See what other #CollectiveBias Community Members think of Oscar Mayer’s #PortableProtein by following #MeatCheeseNuts. Oh, how did I do for the day! I was under my goal!
300 calories left! Now where did Nicole hide those peanut butter cups?!
These look great! I’m always looking for easy snacks for the kids, and totally forget about myself! I saw them talking about this on the Today show, and I really want to try them!
Interesting idea to lose weight.
having high quality snacks around is always a plus when you are trying to stay away from certain foods!
Wow! I had not heard of the P3 Protein Packs. Sounds like a great product! Thanks for sharing.
I’ve been trying to make my snacks healthier also. It is easier to do when I don’t have any sweets in the house.
I usually get my protein from Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, but I do suppose these are a little better for me 🙂
I saw these at the grocery store a couple of days ago and started pick some up for the kids. They look really neat.
Wow, they found a whole new market that I am surprised they got into. Even the label looks like those weight loss protein builder programs. Interesting. I am like Robin and get protein from Reeses. lol
I try to consume 30 grams of protein per meal. How much sodium is in each one? I would imagine they are very high but if not, this is a great idea.
The sodium content is not bad. Not great (450mg), but not as bad as many other things. I’m sure it is due to the processed meats.
American Heart Association (AHA): 1500 mg a day
this is jut under a 1/3 hope you don’t like salt much
they now have p3 protein pack fruit medley with sweetened dried pineapple monteray jack cheese and dry roasted almonds is good and only has 280 mg of sodium per pack
420mg 18%
Love this idea! Always looking for something on the go.
I haven’t seen these yet but am going to look for them and check them out.
We have been using My Fitness Pal recently. The husband has 4 fitness classes and he has to track EVERYTHING for each one of them. It just makes it so much easier for him. we have been enjoying it. Now those protein packs would fit perfectly with what we are working on! I get horrible migraines if I don’t get enough protein so that would be the perfect on the go for when the migraine starts.
Mmm all these food looks so yummy. I like start my day of with cereal, like Cherrios and a multi-vitamin too.
I love My Fitness Pal and use it daily. I’m always looking for good snacks to fit in that I’ll enjoy and these sound great. Thanks!
I find that when I have snacks on the ready, like those in the p3 protein packs, it helps me immensely. It’s the hunger pains that really get me, and if I don’t have something ready, I’m headed for whatever I can get my hands on. I’ve heard about these, but I haven’t seen them yet in my local grocery stores.
These portable protein packs are a great idea. I lost a lot of weight eating protein at every meal and eliminating processed food.
I love using My Fitness Pal, It’s actually one of my favorite fitness apps out there. P3 Portable Protein Packs are great, I get them all the time!
I had never heard of these Oscar Mayer Protein Snack packs. I will have to watch for them in the store. If I don’t have a little bit of protein in the afternoon to tide me over, I am ravenous by dinner.
There’s nothing like healthy eating to better yourself!
Changing your diet, alone, really can have a big impact on weight loss! I cut out all the sugar form my drinks and lost a lot of weight last year. I’d love to focus more on packing in protein to keep myself full while cutting calories. The P3 packs looks like a very convenient way to do that! #client
I have been hearing lots of good things about these snacks. I am going to have to keep an eye out for them the next time I shop. 🙂
These look like great products! I know it can be hard for me to get enough protein and that leaves me hungry a lot. I will check these out.
I think you have a really great plan!
I’ve never seen these protein packs before, I’ll need to look for them.
I heard about these on TV the other day – sounds like a great way to get some extra protein in!
those look great, I haven’t seen those before. My son would enjoy these!
I Never Knew They Were Healthy That’s Even Better
I will have to be on the look out for these! I’m horrible about getting enough protein! Thanks!
I actually brought some of these the other week with the new coupon that came out- they are GOOD! And a great way to get some protein and help you to lose weight as well! Thanks for sharing!
I love that the protein pack actually has real meat in it! I feel like I could never really get full or get a real meal without some meat. This is so awesome!
yeh, same here Lexie. Hope it could work out good.
I can see how these would be a great low cal option! #client
At 72 years old, I don’t feel the need for so much protein. I guess we have to balance the ammount of exercise we take with the food we eat.
Great tips Scott! Thank you! I do like protien!
I like the idea so much that I made up my own Protein Pack using 6 cubed Chicken breast, 5 cubed cheddar cheese.10 1/2 Walnuts, 3 cherry tomatoes and 8 green olives. Put them in a snack pack and make up 7 each week. They easily take the place of a meal!
If only I could be so diligent! Not an olive fan so I’d probably use grapes. I may have to make some for myself – need to find some cool divided containers.
So for a woman what would be a good prep for protein amount on meats,cheese, nuts etc.
Sahm was this post/review sponsored/paid for by the maker of P3 or a marketing group representing the manufacturer
OMG!! These look amazing!! What a great idea!! You’re too smart for your own good.
You make me speechless with your ideas and amazing blog. Looking forward for your next blog. I become a great fan of you.
So for a woman what would be a good prep for protein amount on meats,cheese, nuts etc.