What Is Protein?
If you have ever been on a diet or spoken to somebody about nutrition, then you have surely heard the word protein before. While many people know that protein is important, they may not know what it actually is.
The proteins that we eat are made up of different amino acids—the building blocks of protein. These amino acids are what the body uses for various functions, from forming certain hormones to building specific proteins within the body. So, when the body digests the whole protein that we get from our juicy hamburger or from a hearty lentil soup, the amino acids that made up that protein are absorbed and used by cells for a multitude of functions.
There are 20 amino acids that make up proteins, and each one is categorized as essential, nonessential or conditional:
- Nonessential amino acids are the ones our body can make. It is not essential that they are included in the diet.
- Essential amino acids are the ones our body can’t make. Therefore, they need to be obtained via the diet.
- Conditional amino acids are considered to be essential in times of illness and stress. So their classification of being essential is conditional.
Regardless of whether a person is a carnivore or follows a vegan lifestyle (or somewhere in between), it is possible to get all of the essential amino acids that the body needs, as long as they choose the right foods.
What Can Protein Do for You?
When people think of protein, thoughts of bodybuilders who are trying to sculpt the perfect muscles may come to mind. But protein is so much more than a weightlifter’s BFF. Protein, or rather the amino acids that make up protein, plays many essential roles in the body, including:
- Romotes satiety, and therefore may support weight-management goals
- May decrease the risk of developing high blood pressure
- Supports injury recovery
- Reduces the risk of developing sarcopen (age-related loss of skeletal muscle)
- Helps keep the immune system functioning.
How Much Protein Do You Need?
While protein is such an important nutrient to eat, that doesn’t mean that you should be eating loads and loads of it every single day. The amount of protein you need depends on a few factors, including your weight, age, sex and health status.
Generally speakin, most healthy adults require 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of weight.
This translates to 55 grams per day for a sedentary man of average weight and 45 grams per day for a sedentary woman of average weight. You may need to up your protein consumption if you are extremely physically active, pregnant or lactating, or if you are recovering from certain injuries or surgeries.
7 Best High-Protein Foods
Protein is found in many foods you are likely already enjoying. While this macro can be found in smaller quantities in foods like vegetables and rice, there are other foods that are serious protein providers and can fuel your body with this key nutrient when included in an overall healthy diet.
To help narrow things down, here are 8 of the best protein-containing foods for you to enjoy.
1. Lean Beef
- 22 grams protein (3-ounce serving) of 93% lean ground beef
Including beef in your diet not only provides your body with high-quality protein but it also fuels your body with key nutrients like Zinc (which plays a role in immunity) and Iron (which shuttles oxygen through your body). For a satisfying dish that contains beef, try a Skillet Steak with mushrooms sauce or a cozy slow- cooker beef stew.
2. Chicken
- 27 grams protein (3-ounce serving) of skinless chicken breast
As a versatile dinner staple that is in many people’s rotation, chicken packs a punch in the protein department. A simple baked lemon pepper chicken or creamy parmesan garlic mushroom chicken recipe can be an easy weeknight dinner that includes this important nutrient in a delicious way.
3. Salmon
- 19 grams protein (3-ounce serving) salmon may be known for its healthy fats that support heart health. But this food contains a hefty portion of protein too. Eating fish at least twice a week also adds variety to your weekly protein rotation. Salmon recipes like our Honey garlic salmon or walnut rosemary crusted salmon are a must try.
4. Eggs
- 6 grams protein (1 large egg)
Eating eggs is a convenient way to sneak in some high-quality protein. You can enjoy them scrambled or hard-boiled or include them in recipes like a spinach omelet and egg salad.
5. Peanut Butter
- 7 grams protein (2 tablespoons)
For a plant-based protein source that is loved by many, natural peanut butter is the way to go. You can enjoy it in a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich, use it as an ingredient in a peanut dressing, or whip up some peanut butter energy balls for a quick nosh while on the go. Not a fan of peanuts or looking for other options? Other nut butters and seed butters also provide comparable amounts of protein
6. Pasta
- 8 grams protein (1 cup cooked)
Pasta is often considered the carb source, but a 2-ounce serving of classic semolina pasta provides almost as much protein as one large egg! Top your pasta with some quick meat sauce or enjoy a bowl of Italian sausage & kale pasta for even more protein per bite. Looking for meatless pairings to go along with your pasta? Our recommendations for plane based protein toppings for pasta will not disappoint.
7. Cottage Cheese
- 12 grams protein (1/2 cup serving)
Creamy cottage cheese is a natural source of protein that is easy to include in a balanced diet. And using it in recipes like creamy spinach dip and Florentine lasagna roll ups helps keep the protein content high without the need to add any meat.
