The Ultimate List of High-Protein Foods

Eat your way strong with this list of muscle-building, high-protein food options.

While keeping track of your macronutrients — protein, fat, and carbs — is a huge time commitment and may not be the best practice for everyone, you could probably benefit from paying attention to your protein intake. Specifically, making sure you get enough protein per day.

Why? "Amino acids, the organic molecules that make up protein, are essentially the building blocks of life," says Abby Olson, R.D., owner of Encompass Nutrition in St. Paul, Minnesota. "Unlike carbohydrates and fat, your body doesn't store extra amino acids, and they need to be consumed daily," she explains. In other words, if you fall short on your recommended intake of high-protein foods, your internal and external organs could suffer.

"You need protein to make hair, blood, enzymes, and so much more," adds Brooke Alpert, R.D., author of The Diet Detox. "The recommended daily allowance is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, so a 130-pound woman would need at least 48 grams of protein. In my practice, I've found those numbers to be a bit modest, [so] instead of focusing on grams, I simply ask my clients to make sure there is one serving of protein at every single meal," she says.

Your health and body composition can also suffer if you don't regularly eat high-protein foods each day. Science shows a connection between a healthy dietary protein intake and more lean body mass, better cholesterol, and lower blood pressure.

Hit your quota with this list of dietitian-approved list of high-protein foods that fit within any eating style.

High-Protein, High-Fat Foods

Full-Fat Greek Yogurt

Skip the zero-fat cartons and snack on yogurt made with whole milk (generally about 4 percent fat). In addition to the appetite-taming fat, each serving provides around 20 grams of protein. "Compared to regular yogurts, full-fat Greek is way more satisfying since it helps stabilize blood sugar levels," says Alpert. Stick to plain-flavored varieties (you can add your own natural sweeteners if it's too tart) to make sure added sugar doesn't sneak up on you. (See also: These Yogurt Health Benefits Prove It's a Nutritional Powerhouse)

Nuts

Whether you prefer plain pecans, almond butter on your midday sandwich, or the crunch of cashews in your homemade trail mix, you'll score a satisfying amount of protein (about 5 grams per ounce), fat, and fiber from nuts. "Nuts are a trifecta of healthy eating," says Alpert. "They offer a blend of all three macronutrients, which again helps to balance blood sugar, and they are a vegan source of protein," she adds. (Here are more high-protein foods for vegans.)

High-Protein, High-Carb Foods

Beans

Thanks to beans, it really is possible to reach your recommended amount of daily protein without meat. Stock your pantry with garbanzo beans, black-eyed peas, lentils, and cannellini beans to toss into salads, stir into soups, and blend into hummus. Not only will you net about 15 grams of protein per cup depending on the particular variety, but "heart-healthy plant-based proteins [also] provide fiber, B vitamins, iron, folate, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc," says Olson. Plus, there's no need to fear the carb count, adds Alpert. "Most of the carbohydrates are related to the high fiber count, so they are still quite healthy and a great option for a meatless protein," she says.

Lentil Pasta

Try this high-protein switch for your next bowl of pasta. A 2-ounce serving of pulse-based noodles (pulses are dried peas, lentils, beans, and chickpeas) offers a reasonable 2.5:1 ratio of carbs to protein (35 grams and 14 grams, respectively), plus more fiber than its flour-based cousin. "Utilizing a variety of protein sources throughout the day allows you to meet your protein needs while hitting your fat, carbohydrate, and vitamin needs," says Olson. Incidentally, high-protein cereals that center on pulses like lentils and chickpeas are also your best choices for meeting a variety of nutritional needs.

High-Protein, Low-Carb Foods

Eggs

Get cracking with this quick-cooking, remarkably versatile option. One egg provides 6 grams of protein and less than 1 gram of carbs, and no, you shouldn't freak over the 190 milligrams of cholesterol: One review in the British Medical Journal found no link between egg consumption and cholesterol-related heart disease or stroke risk. Kind of makes you want breakfast for dinner, doesn't it? (Milk is also a good source of protein, with fat-free milk offering up 8.4 grams for an 8-ounce glass.)

Wild-Caught Salmon

While any animal protein is naturally low in carbs and high in protein, wild salmon has strong omega-3 stats, which is a plus for both Alpert and Olson. "Mix up your diet with lean proteins and options that are higher in fat, such as fish, to cover your nutritional needs for essential micronutrients such as iron, B vitamins, and zinc," recommends Olson. One 3-ounce fillet adds 17 grams of protein to your daily count. There are other seafood options that offer high protein counts for just a 4-ounce serving: rainbow trout (27.5g), bluefin tuna (34g), and canned tuna (26g).

High-Protein, Low-Fat Foods

Chicken Breasts

If you wanted to list high-protein, low-fat foods, chicken breast would definitely be at the top. Grilled chicken is the go-to bodybuilder pick for a reason: One 3.5-ounce serving of boneless, skinless chicken breast has less than 4 grams of fat while offering a hefty 31 grams of protein — all for just 165 calories. Stick to grilling, roasting, or baking rather than pan-frying or deep-frying if you're keeping an eye on fat intake. Other high-protein meat options include sliced deli turkey breast (6g for 1 ounce) and lean sirloin beef (34g for a 4-ounce serving).

Quinoa

Quinoa is a popular one on the list of high-protein foods because it's also gluten-free, vegetarian, and low in fat, says Alpert. The ancient grain has 8 grams of protein for every cooked cup, making it an excellent side dish for any meal. If you're looking for other plant-based, high-protein foods, consider creamy peanut butter (8g for 2 tablespoons), edamame (11g for 1/2 cup), and firm tofu (20g for 1/2 cup).

Low-fat Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese with 2 percent milk fat is relatively low in fat yet high in protein. A 1/2 cup serving of cottage cheese offers an impressive 12 grams protein yet only 2.5 grams of fat, 5 grams of carbohydrates, and 90 calories. (You can also find cottage cheese that's about 4 percent milk fat if you are looking to add fats.) Cottage cheese also delivers important minerals, such as calcium, and some brands also include gut-friendly probiotics. It's also versatile and can make a great snack or lend a rich, creamy texture to sauces or smoothies.

Protein Powder

Another way to boost your protein intake is to add a good protein powder to your smoothies, pancakes, or oatmeal. Many are low in fat and carbohydrates, but it's important to check the label before you buy since nutrition information varies widely by type (such as whey, pea, casein, or soy), brand, and flavor.

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