Peanut Butter And Banana Oatmeal
Protein Punch: 14 gramsYou’ll Need: Oats, salt, bananas, peanut butter, almonds, agave syrup
We love this oatmeal with peanut butter and banana recipe for its good-for-you ingredients. It makes a healthy morning meal you can have ready in minutes. Adding two tablespoons of peanut butter to this recipe gives this oatmeal bowl the protein boost you’re looking for in the morning.
“One tablespoon of peanut butter provides about 90-100 calories, 4 grams of protein, and 8 grams of fat. Much of the fat is the heart-healthy unsaturated kind which also helps you feel full along with the protein,” says Amidor.
However, the quality of your peanut butter will also make a huge nutritional difference. Amidor recommends looking for the real deal made from peanuts and salt and skipping the reduced-fat varieties which tend to have the same calories or contain added sugars and artery-clogging saturated fats.
Get our recipe for Peanut Butter and Banana Oatmeal.
Protein Punch: 41 gramsYou’ll Need: Eggs, milk, chorizo, black beans, shredded taco cheese, avocado, salsa, burrito shells, hot sauce
Get our recipe for Chorizo Breakfast Burritos.
Protein Punch: 5 gramsYou’ll Need: Cashew butter, maple syrup, whole wheat bread, red apple, ground cinnamon
Get our recipe for Maple-Cashew-Apple Toast.
Protein Punch: 10 gramsYou’ll Need: Chia seeds, coconut milk, nonfat Greek yogurt, maple syrup, salt, fresh mango, coconut chips, macademia nuts
Get our recipe for Overnight Chia Pudding.
Higher In Fiber Than Many Grains
Another important benefit of quinoa is its high fiber content.
A 1-cup serving of cooked quinoa contains 5.18 grams of fiber. Thats about 18% of the current 28-gram DV .
Quinoa contains more fiber than several other popular grains, like brown rice.
For example, a 1-cup serving of cooked brown rice contains 3.51 grams of fiber, which is 1.67 grams less than the same serving size of quinoa .
Adding fiber-rich foods like quinoa into your diet can help support your digestive health by promoting regular bowel movements and fueling beneficial bacteria in your gut .
Plus, eating a high fiber diet can support a body weight thats healthy for you. Fiber helps promote feelings of fullness. Pairing high fiber foods like quinoa with high protein foods can help you feel full and may help keep your portion sizes in check .
Summary
Quinoa is high in fiber, a nutrient thats important for health. Adding more fiber-rich foods into your diet can help support gut health, body weight maintenance, and more.
4 ).
Quinoa is often referred to as a complete protein. This is because it contains all nine of the essential amino acids that your body cant make on its own.
However, experts argue that quinoa should not be considered a complete protein because it contains low amounts of certain amino acids, like lysine .
For this reason, experts have suggested that quinoa be considered a nearly complete protein, not a complete protein .
Summary
Protein Increases Your Metabolism
A slow metabolism means that your body isn’t very efficient at breaking down the food you eat. If you want to improve your body’s digestion rate, protein can help.
One 2010 study in the British Journal of Nutrition found that a high protein diet resulted in a higher rate of fat oxidation, meaning that the diet helped people to burn more fat than other types of diets.
Also Check: What Is The Best Protein Powder For Gaining Weight
How Much Protein Do I Need
During cancer treatment your protein needs may be higher than usual. The average healthy adult needs 0.8 g of protein per kg of their body weight each day. For example, a 75 kg healthy adult needs 60 g protein each day .
If you have cancer you may need more protein, about 1.2 1.5 g of protein per kg of your body weight. Ask a dietitian about how much protein you need.
High Protein Soft Foods For Elderly
Protein helps the body build tissue and promote healing. The body of a senior needs protein, but sometimes bulky meats make it harder for the body to effectively digest what they ingest. In other words, some senior bodies function better on soft proteins.
Many foods can be puréed or made more mechanically soft for the diets of older adults. While classic protein foods like meat, fish, and poultry can be a great source of protein, they arent always soft enough for a seniors palette.
Other more suitable options include food in the following forms:
- Liquid nutritional supplements
Foods like soups can combine soft food ingredients and make them easier on a seniors stomach. The following section explores seven of the best soft protein foods for seniors.
Read Also: Protein Bars Box Of 100
How To Find The Best Quality Proteins For You
Protein is essential for our bodies. Being thoughtful about which proteins you choose to include in your diet can help you optimize your health and fitness goals.
With an endless array of food companies advertising the impressive protein content and health benefits of their products to appeal to consumers, learning who can be trusted and which products are actually worth your dollars can feel like a challenge.
Just because something contains protein does not mean it’s good for you. And just because a food label is advertising a good source of protein doesnt necessarily mean it is.
Legally, any food that contains at least 10 grams of protein per serving can be labeled as an excellent source . And a good source would contain 5 grams or more.
But this advertising law does not consider the other nutrients or total calories of the food, which give you a much more well rounded picture of whether or not this item is worth its salt.
So when it comes to finding the best proteins on the market youll want to consider the following:
Heres your go-to guide for finding the most balanced options.
Black Bean And Lentil Soup
Practically everything you need to know about the protein content of this soup is right there in the name black beans and lentils.
Those are certainly two ingredients youll want to use if you need more protein in your diet.
Even better, you can make the soup in one pot in about 45 minutes.
Furthermore, its meatless and insanely yummy.
Spaghetti is another meal people dont always think of when looking for high-protein recipes, but if you include several thick, hearty meatballs, youll get plenty of protein.
When it comes to perfect meatballs, this recipe has you covered.
Made from ground beef and pork, eggs, white bread, milk, and tons of herbs, these are spicy, filling, and delectable.
The noodles and homemade sauce are delicious, too, but theyre almost an afterthought compared to those scrumptious meatballs.
This rich, creamy dish is tasty, cheesy, and naturally vegetarian-friendly.
Thanks to the mushrooms, spinach, herbs, and chickpeas, it has a clean and earthy taste.
Its also surprisingly filling, despite the lack of meat. That comes from chickpeas and tofu. Its gluten-free and high in both protein and fiber.
However, its also carb-heavy, so it may not be the best choice if youre on a low-carb or keto diet.
Read Also: How Long Does Whey Protein Last
Very High Protein Diets Are Dangerous
Some fad diets promote very high protein intakes of between 200 and 400 g per day. This is more than 5 times the amount recommended in the Australian Dietary Guidelines.
The protein recommendations in the Guidelines provide enough protein to build and repair muscles, even for body builders and athletes.
A very high-protein diet can strain the kidneys and liver. It can also prompt excessive loss of the mineral calcium, which can increase your risk of osteoporosis.
High Protein Foods: In Summary
Protein is one of key macronutrients that our bodies need in order to function normally. By adding some additional protein to your diet, you can increase your muscle mass, improve your appetite levels, and support general muscle strength and health. By simply adding a few more high protein foods, such as chicken, salmon, or almonds, to your diet, you will probably begin to notice the benefits.
However, too much protein can also lead to some negative side effects. Try to always eat a balanced diet that includes all of the essential food groups. If you’re worried you’re not getting enough protein, or that you’re getting too much, we always recommend speaking to your doctor or nutritionist, so that you can create the perfect diet plan for your specific needs and goals.
Recommended Reading: High Protein Breakfast Low Calorie
The Bottom Line: Are You Eating Enough High
In this case, the better question might be are you eating enough types of protein-rich foods? After all, according to a 2018 analysis published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, most adults exceed the recommended intake of proteinconsuming an average of 88 grams a day. As we said before, theres no one-size-fits-all recommended protein intake. But for comparison, most women need around 46 grams of protein per day, and men need 56 grams, according to the USDAs recent dietary guidelines. You may be getting enough of the macronutrient, not all sources are created equalproteins can be lean or high in saturated fats.
Case in point: The amount of protein in a pork chop and piece of salmon are similar, but the pork has more than three times the saturated fat. Similarly, beef and certain cheeses are typically higher in saturated fat, which can raise bad cholesterol levels and have been linked to increased risk of heart disease or stroke. Current guidelinesrecommend limiting saturated fat intake, but that doesnt mean you have to revamp your entire eating style. Instead, consider incorporating more healthy fats found in nuts, seeds, and seafood to your diet.
Nicole Saporita is a senior content manager for consumer wellness at WW. A writer, editor, and content strategist based in New York, she specializes in health & wellness, lifestyle, consumer products, and more. Her work has appeared in Good Housekeeping, Prevention, and REDBOOK magazines.
The Best Foods For A High
The best high-protein breakfasts start with protein-rich foods. Our recipes below feature high-protein breakfast foods such as:
- nut butter
- protein powder
Read on to discover nearly three weeks’ worth of mouthwatering high-protein breakfasts that deliver exactly what your body needs for breakfast. Combine that with these best-ever ways to boost your metabolism and you’ll reach your body goals in no time!
Protein Punch: 24 gramsYou’ll Need: 2% Plain Greek Yogurt, fresh strawberries and blueberries, sugar, mint leaves, granola
Not only is this recipe great for breakfast, but it’s so decadent, you could even enjoy it for dessert! The protein in this recipe comes from two sources: the homemade granola contains 4 grams of protein per serving while 7 ounces of Greek yogurt contains 20 grams of protein.
“Greek yogurt has double the protein compared to traditional yogurt due to the straining process,” says Amidor. “In addition, it is low in lactose and a fermented food which provides live, active cultures that may act as probiotics and keep the gastrointestinal system healthy.” All the more reason to dig in!
Get our recipe for Greek Yogurt Parfaits.
Protein Payout: 24 gramsYou’ll Need: Black beans, eggs, feta cheese, salsa, avocado, cumin, lime, hot sauce, salt, pepper
Get our recipe for Black Bean Omelets.
Also Check: Where Are Proteins Made In The Cell
What Are Some High Protein Foods
Protein is a major building block of the human body. Hair, skin, muscle, connective tissue, metabolism, and many chemical processes in the body are affected by or made up of protein. Protein itself is made up of amino acids. There are 20 necessary amino acids for protein, and the body produces only eleven. This means that we need to get the remaining nine from high protein foods. We need to consume them daily because the body doesn’t store them for later use.
Eating foods that are high in protein is the best way to get all of the protein, and by default amino acids, that you need. The United States Recommended Daily Allowances recommends eating 0.37 grams of protein for every pound, or .8 grams for every kilogram, of body weight. A 150-pound person , for example, would theoretically need to eat about 55 grams of protein per day.
An easier way to remember this rule is that between ten and 15 percent of the Calories you consume should come from protein, assuming you have a healthy diet for your body size and type. People who have kidney or liver disease should consult their health care professional to determine how much protein they should consume daily.
Mock Meats Or Meat Substitutes:
Plant-based goods with a flesh-like texture manufactured from soy protein, wheat gluten, or vegetable substitutes. Some of the people who consume these include
Lacto-vegetarians are vegetarians who consume animal protein in the form of milk, cheese, and other dairy products. Meat, fish, poultry, and eggs are not eaten by them.
Ovo-vegetarians are vegetarians who eat eggs but not meat or dairy items.
Lacto-ovo vegetarians use dairy products and eggs for protein. No meat, fish, or poultry should be consumed.
Pescetarians eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and fish/seafood, but not meat or fowl.
Flexitarian/Semi-vegetarians eat dairy products, eggs, poultry, and shellfish as part of their diet. Red meat should be avoided at all costs. Many individuals are turning to plant-based textural proteins, also known as fake meats, as an alternative protein source.
Recommended Reading: Best Protein Powders For Smoothies
What Are Foods That Have Protein
Protein is the most important component of the human body. We need protein to produce and maintain our muscles, build and maintain our bones, and maintain our nervous system. Protein also helps us to grow and repair our cells. There are a variety of foods that contain protein. Some of the most well-known sources of protein include milk, eggs, meat, fish, and soy. These foods are some of the best sources of protein because they are made up of complete proteins that contain all of the essential amino acids our body needs.
Egg Sandwich With Pastrami And Swiss
Protein Punch: 27 gramsYou’ll Need: Butter, pastrami, eggs, milk, salt, pepper, low-fat Swiss cheese, whole-wheat English muffins
While most breakfast sandwiches are filled with protein-packed meat, that doesn’t always mean those ingredient choices are the best in terms of calories or even your daily energy. In this recipe, we choose our ingredients with more care. The combination of pastrami and Swiss has long been confined to the realm of the lunchtime deli counter, but we think it works beautifully with soft scrambled eggsâespecially because pastrami trounces both sausage and bacon in the calorie department. Give it a try.
Get our recipe for our Egg Sandwich With Pastrami and Swiss.
Also Check: Does Protein Shakes Make You Gain Weight
Protein Foods And The Planet
To give you an idea, this scorecard from the World Resources Institute illustrates the differing GHG emissions per gram of protein from both animal and plant-based protein foods. Making just one pound of lamb generates five times more GHGs than making a pound of chicken and around 30 times more than making a pound of lentils. In the U.S. alone, beef accounts for 36% of all food-related GHG emissions. Beyond emissions, its also important to note that food production places an enormous demand upon our natural resources, as agriculture is a major contributor to deforestation, species extinction, and freshwater depletion and contamination.
How Much Protein Should I Eat
For most people, a daily dose of around 0.8-1g of protein per 1kg of body weight is recommended. For weightlifters and strength athletes, 1.4 2g of protein per kg of body weight is recommended per day, with a recommendation of 1.2-1.6g of protein per kg of body weight per day for endurance athletes. After exercise, protein is particularly important since muscles need it to recover and grow. A portion of protein is recommended within 30 minutes of exercise, when your muscles are particularly receptive to protein synthesis.
Also Check: How Much Protein Intake To Gain Muscle
Processed Varieties May Be High In Sodium
Although this meat has many benefits, its important to limit processed turkey products, as these items can be loaded with salt.
Processed varieties, such as turkey ham, sausages, and nuggets, may harbor large amounts of salt. Sodium is usually added as either a preservative or flavor enhancer .
Research shows that consuming excess salt may increase your risk of stomach cancer. Conversely, cutting back on your salt intake may reduce high blood pressure (
You can include turkey in your diet in endless ways.
Fresh or frozen turkey can be purchased year-round from your local grocery store or butcher shop.
This meat is often roasted in the oven but can also be slow-cooked using a slow-cooker or crock pot until tender.
You can add it to the following dishes:
- Salads. Add it hot or cold to salads as a good protein boost.
- Curries. Turkey can be used instead of chicken in curries.
- Casseroles. This meat works perfectly in casseroles.
- Soups. Not only is turkey meat great in soups, but you can also make your own stock from turkey bones.
- Sandwiches. Combine with your favorite toppings and spreads, such as lettuce, tomato, mustard, or pesto.
- Burgers. Ground turkey can be mixed with stuffing or breadcrumbs to make burger patties.
Turkey can also be bought minced and used to replace ground beef in dishes like spaghetti Bolognese or cottage pie.
As noted above, its best to limit your intake of processed turkey products, such as sausages and sandwich meat.