5 High Protein Foods

Because protein is an essential nutrient for your health, add these 5 high protein foods to your diet. Protein foods consist of animal protein, plant protein from legumes which are beans, or protein from dairy products like milk and cheese. Protein foods give you a full satisfied feeling that lasts longer and keeps hunger under control.

1. Chicken. A serving of chicken is 4 ounces which is the size of an average chicken breast. Chicken can be used in several ways. A chicken breast with the skin removed, can be grilled on the barbecue, baked, or boiled. Eat chicken as a main course with vegetables and salad, diced for a salad or wrap, or in chicken soup or stew. Four ounces of skinless chicken breast contains 35.1 grams of protein.
2. Turkey. Turkey is usually eaten at the holidays but turkey is a great source of protein that can be enjoyed year round. Make meatballs out of ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter flavor with leaner meat. Bake a turkey breast, slice it, and serve with vegetables and salad. Four ounces of skinless turkey breast contain 33.9 grams of protein.
3. Legumes. Legumes are plant protein and consist of black and kidney beans, chick and black eyed peas, pinto beans, and many other types of beans. Legumes are plant protein which is much leaner and lower in fat than animal protein. Most legumes contains between 7 and 8 grams of protein per ½ cup serving.
4. Fish. Fish is very high in protein and a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids that are essential for good health and something the body cannot produce. Eat 3 ounce portions of halibut, cod, herring, white fish, and sardines. Fish is fantastic grilled and contains between 15 and 20 grams of protein per serving.
5. Diary. Eggs, low fat cottage cheese, and hard cheeses have a very high content of protein per serving. A serving of dairy is one egg or ½ cup cottage cheese, or one ounce hard cheese. Cheese enhances any meal or salad. Attention should be paid to the fat content of dairy. For instance, choose a part skim mozzarella cheese over a hard cheddar cheese to reduce fat intake. Dairy products contain between 8 to 15 grams of protein per serving.