Protein Deficient, Pregnant, and Training for a Half Marathon

Well, after a year of being vegetarians and striving so hard to be healthy, we are officially protein deficient!  What have we been doing the past two weeks?  Eating meat every day...drinking protein drinks...feeling stupid and crazy....and enjoying every morsel of meat set before us.  What led to this change in direction?

First of all, I am pregnant, so I had been thinking about adding more protein to my diet for my baby.  I was eating meat sometimes, more eggs, cheeses, and Greek yogurt.

Also, Mike began training for a half marathon.  Then, he began feeling strange, sick, and shaky.  He didn't know what was wrong, so he went to the doctor.  The doctor did blood work and a sonogram of Mike's organs, which came back fine.  The doctor told Mike that he should be eating protein at every meal.  Yes, we were eating protein, and I was trying to do my best, but it is difficult to always get enough protein when people pick out beans, or ask me not to make this and that.  Unless you eat tons, eggs and tofu do not have as much protein as chicken or beef.  After talking with other friends and reading articles, we came to the conclusion that we needed to change.  We feel good about the decision, for our baby, our growing children, and Mike's health.

One article said a good way to feel better after being protein deficient was to eat four ounces of red meat at lunch for two weeks, as medicine, not a lifestyle.  So, we tried it, and Mike slowly began to feel better.  Mike and I also began having "Whey to go" protein shakes by Solgar (suggested by our dear health concious friends and approved by by doctor), eating more eggs, Greek yogurt, and other protein rich foods.  He continued to train, running some long distances to get ready for his race, which would be at the end of the two weeks.

Mike ran the half marathon (13.1 miles) yesterday, and did really well and felt great!  It was quite the accomplishment, after feeling awful for the last few months.

Erin, Chuck, and Mike
Chuck was Mike's great encourager!

Now what?  We plan to eat real food (unprocessed), and eat meat in a balanced way.  We still believe it is best to eat a mostly plant-based diet, but we have learned the importance of protein.  It is a journey.