Guide : Best Foods That Contain Protein

The importance of protein cannot be overestimated. It is a basic component of every cell in your body. Your skin, muscles, hair, fingers, bones, and so on, are all made of protein. So, lack of protein will definitely deteriorate your appearance; that is before it goes ahead to give you some severe health complications like Kwashiorkor (a nutritional disorder) and Stunted growth (in children).

You also need protein to build and repair body tissues. Your body needs protein for any wounds you might sustain to heal properly, and for you to build muscles as well. Proteins are very necessary for your body to make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals. It is more important to your body than you can think of. There is no other way to deliver protein to your body except from the food you eat.

So, here are some great foods that contain protein to help you stay healthy.

1. Almonds

The first on our list of 10 best foods that contain protein is almond; a popular tree nut that’s rich in healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. They are one of the best sources of protein, containing 21 grams of it in every 100 grams of almonds.

As a high protein food, almond provides you with essential amino acids that cannot be produced by your body. They help in the development of bones, muscles, skin, and blood. You can also count on almonds to deliver a massive quantity of protein to develop, build, and repair tissues in your body.

2. Quinoa

Quinoa is one of the most popular food for a long time now, and for good reasons. It is one of the few plant foods that contain all the 9 essential amino acids in sufficient quantities, and that’s not all.

Quinoa is very rich in nutrients like protein, magnesium, folate, copper, iron, potassium, manganese, fiber, etc. It is also rich in Quercetin and Kaempferol, both of which are great for fighting inflammation, cancer, and depression.

3. Milk

Milk is so important to our health that it is the first food mammals eat from birth until they are able to eat other forms of food. In the case of humans, a newborn can feed exclusively on breast milk for as long as 6 months before combining it with any other food. That is because milk contains all the nutrients necessary for human survival.

As you grow, your body changes, and there is a need for change in your diet. But even at that, you still need lots of milk (not necessarily breast milk) to live healthy and hearty. Some of the benefits of milk include high nutritional value, high protein content, helping in the development of healthy bones, and a healthy heart.

4. Cottage Cheese

We eat cottage cheese for a lot of different reasons. One of such reasons is that it is a fantastic source of lean protein. If you’re a very physically active person, cottage cheese should be one of your regulars. It is great for muscle building, weight loss, and general health improvement.

If you consume cottage cheese regularly, you’ll experience all the benefits protein has to offer, plus other health benefits like an improved immune system, healthy bones, and vitamin D supply.

5. Oats

You probably see this in every list of healthy foods and it may look like it’s overrated, but it’s not. Oat is one of the healthiest cereals there is in the whole wide world. Not only is it easy to prepare, but it also contains a good quantity of nutrients like vitamins, fibers, antioxidants, minerals, and quality protein; plus, it is gluten-free.

No wonder it is a popular breakfast choice. 10 minutes is all you need to prepare your oatmeal every morning (or whenever), and you’re good to go.

6. Lean Beef

Lean beef is another good source of protein with low-fat content. This means it is low in calories and very good for people who want to eat “normal foods” without consuming too many calories than is necessary. Of course, lean meats are normal meats, except that their fats have been trimmed off.

Lean beef contains iron for making functional red blood cells, vitamin B-12 for the production of red blood cells and hemoglobin synthesis, coenzyme Q10 to protect your body from the damages caused by free radicals, and other healthy nutrients.

7. Chicken Breast

Chicken is one of the healthiest foods you can integrate into your diet if you want to live a happy, and healthy life (except you’re a vegetarian or something). It contains a lot less fat and more protein than darker meats. The protein content of chicken is particularly high, which is why it is a good choice for anyone that wants to load up on protein.

While the protein content of chicken works on developing, repairing, and maintaining the body tissues, many other chicken nutrients also contribute in their own ways. For instance, chicken breast contains iron which assists with the growth, development, and metabolism in the body. Chicken breast is also loaded with vitamin A for a healthy sight and many other beneficial nutrients.

8. Turkey Breast

Just like chicken breast, turkey breast has been discovered to be more nutritious than most other parts of a turkey. On a general ground, turkey is a very healthy dietary choice. It contains healthy proteins and other nutrients that can promote better sleep, weight loss, and fight depression. However, you can opt for turkey breast for an even more healthy dietary choice.

Turkey breast contains lesser saturated fat which is a good thing because consuming a lot of saturated fat can cause heart diseases. It also comes with a healthy dose of selenium which is good for metabolism, increased immunity, and acts as an antioxidant that protects your body from free radical damages and inflammation.

9. Fish

There are so many things about fish (and other types of seafood) that makes it wonderful. With regards to the topic of our discussion, fish is rich in protein, but that is not all. There are so many evidence-based benefits of eating fish.

According to experts, many people are not getting enough nutrients; which is detrimental to health. Iodine, vitamins, and minerals are some of the nutrients you can benefit from eating fish.

Eating fish also lowers the risk of developing a heart attack, stroke, and a host of other health issues. Fish contains nutrients that are great for mental health, fighting depression and reduced risk of autoimmune diseases.

10. Egg

What type of eggs do you like to eat? Chicken eggs are by far the most common of them all, but there are others like duck eggs, turkey eggs, pheasant eggs, goose eggs, and so on. You can eat whatever type of egg you want, and you’ll certainly load up on quality protein.

An average sized egg contains about 6 to 7 grams of protein. That’s about one-eighth of our recommended protein intake.

High protein and low calories are the hottest things since people started becoming more aware of their health. These foods mentioned in this post are great dietary choices for high protein and low carbs. They are suitable for almost anyone (except you have some medical conditions) and healthy for your body. So, include them in your diet.