When you first become homeless, you notice right away that your options for feeding yourself are scarce and don’t provide the best nutritional value. Unless you have a permanent camp where you can cook your own food, eating the proper nutritional mix of calories and protein is going to be nearly impossible. Both calories and protein are equally important, but getting the proper amount of protein every day is harder to get than the right amount of calories. Chicken, beef, and pork are going to be on the menu at shelters, food lines, etc. The portions however are too small to depend on, and half the time you won’t get any. So staying focused on your protein intake is going to be more important. You can always pick up calories. Protein deficiency does a lot of bad things to the body really quickly. Combined with the sleep deprivation you’re probably already experiencing from getting used to being homeless, and you’re gonna be in bad shape physically and mentally down the line.
To make sure you always have access to food, sign up for EBT at your local Social Services office. Get into the habit of preparing your own food when you can. Do not depend on shelter food and food lines as your main source of food. You can easily carry a few day’s supply of protein and calories in your backpack without cooking anything. Here are a few ideas to start.
Protein Infused Oatmeal
Oatmeal comes in many forms and many flavors. For a good protein boost in the morning try Quaker Instant Protein Oatmeal. Two packs will get you 20 grams. Just add hot water.
Tuna Fish & Chicken
One pouch of tuna or chicken equals up to 17 grams of protein. Combine that with a little mayo & mustard, high-quality high protein bread and you have a sandwich with over thirty grams of protein, Look for whole wheat or whole grain bread. Each slice is around 6-8 grams of protein. There are plenty of places that give away free bread, and the good stuff is always available.
Peanut Butter
7 grams of protein in two tablespoons.
Protein bars
Easy on the go energy that can provide a quick protein boost.
Nuts and Legumes
Almonds, pistachios, walnuts, cashews, pecans, etc. They are all easy game when it comes to protein. Just a handful have 150 to 2000 calories and 3 to 7 grams of protein.
