We know what you’re thinking. High protein diets are for the super-athlete, ultra-marathoner or six-pack-gym-rat. 

But that could not be further from the truth. Everyone needs protein, every day.
So we’re going to give you the ultimate list of high protein foods, all in one place. 
But first… what is protein again?

Simply put, protein is a “macronutrient that is essential to building muscle mass.” Thanks Live Science. 

Protein isn’t only good for your muscle building though, getting those grams is necessary for us to function. They’re called the building blocks of life for a reason, after all. 

Protein wears many hats and works in many ways to keep us strong and healthy. The overall function of protein is to help build, maintain and repair body tissue. It also helps carry oxygen throughout the body, aids in digestion, allows us to lose weight, regulates hormones and ensures we recovery quickly after a workout or injury. 

Enough reasons to increase your protein intake yet? I think so.

But remember, not all protein is created equal. Some foods are considered complete protein sources while others are not. To be a complete protein source, the food must contain 9 essential amino acids. 

The RDI (Recommended Dietary Intake) for women is 46g of protein and for men is 56g of protein. These numbers can vary depending on your workout regimen, how much you weigh, and how much protein your body is breaking down. 

Eating a protein rich diet can be easy, accessible and affordable. To make things easier for you, we’ve put together a list of high protein foods that you should incorporate into your diet every day.

This, is the Ultimate Guide to Getting your Protein:

Animal Protein

This may be an obvious choice, but choosing lean meat and seafood is a great option as they are low in fat and calories while being high in protein. When it comes to poultry (chicken & turkey), the breast is the leanest and has the most protein per pound.

When it comes to beef, check out these 5 cuts of steak that are the highest in protein.

Anyway, here are the top 10 animal protein sources: 

1. Dairy: Our fav because it tastes so good.
2. Chicken
3. Beef
4. Turkey
5. Pork
6. Salmon
7. Cod
8. Haddock
9. Shellfish 
10. Eggs

Plant Protein

Protein sourced from plants is not only good for your health but good for the environment as well. Sustainability baby!

Here is the top 9 plant protein sources because we couldn’t find 10:

1. Legumes 
2. Nuts
3. Seeds
4. Whole Grains
5. Soy products 
6. Seitan
7. Tempeh
8. Vegetables: Broccoli, Asparagus, Artichokes 
9. Spirulina

These options are just the tip of the iceberg (lettuce) when it comes to protein. Play around with some of these ingredients next time you're cooking, shopping, or looking for a solid post workout.

Remember: Protein = Good. 

 

Cheers,

The Slate Milk Squad

Written by Sam Okrasinski, Contributing Author