One of the most essential nutrients required for healthy functioning of the body is protein. Its main function comprise regulating the building, maintenance, and replacement of the tissues in the body. An essential role that protein plays is in the supply of oxygen to every part of the body; the hemoglobin protein carries oxygen in the blood. Also, protein is a part of the body's immune system in the form of antibodies that protect us from pathogens. There are a myriad of other functions of this nutrient that ensure our survival. Now let us know about the foods classified as high sources of protein.
Note:
Among the following food items, meat products, eggs, dairy products, and fish products are the ones with the highest protein content.
Meat Products
| Chicken (lean cuts) |
| Lamb (lean cuts) |
| Lean veal and beef |
| Pork (lean cuts) |
| Turkey (lean cuts) |
Eggs and Dairy Products
| Cheddar cheese |
Cottage cheese |
| Egg white |
Milk |
| Mozzarella cheese |
Muenster cheese |
| Parmesan cheese |
Ricotta cheese |
| Swiss cheese |
Yogurt |
Fish Products
| Anchovies |
| Atlantic Salmon |
| Cod |
| Haddock |
| Halibut |
| Herring |
| Mackerel |
| Shrimp |
| Swordfish |
| Tuna |
Grains
| Brown rice |
| Buckwheat flour |
| Buckwheat groats |
| Cornmeal |
| Oat bran |
| Oatmeal |
| Popcorn |
| Wheat flour |
| White rice |
| Whole wheat bread |
Beans, Nuts and Seeds
| Almonds |
| Black beans |
| Brazil nut |
| Cashews |
| Cowpeas (Blackeyes) |
| Flax seeds |
| Garbanzo (chickpeas) |
| Hazelnuts |
| Kidney beans |
| Lentil beans |
| Lima beans |
| Navy beans |
| Peanuts |
| Pecans |
| Pistachios |
| Pumpkin seeds |
| Soybean |
| Squash seeds |
| Sunflower seeds |
| Tofu |
| Walnuts |
Fruits and Vegetables
| Apricots |
| Artichoke |
| Asparagus |
| Avocado |
| Black currants |
| Blackberries |
| Broccoli |
| Brussels sprouts |
| Cauliflower |
| Custard apple |
| Dates |
| Dried Figs |
| Guavas |
| Jackfruit |
| Passion fruit |
| Potato |
| Prunes |
| Raisins |
| Red currants |
| Sweet corn |
| Watercress |
A balanced diet includes proper proportions of not only high protein food, but those that are also rich in vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and not to mention foods that have minimal but required quantity of fat as well. It cannot be denied that it is impossible to include all what has been mentioned in the given list, in your diet. However, even if some of these foods with high protein, are combined with other foods rich in vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates, it will definitely yield positive and healthy results in life.
