Adding Protein to Your Diet: The Best Foods to Include

We all know that protein is an essential part of a balanced, healthy diet, but it can be tricky to know exactly which foods make up the best sources of this macronutrient. Struggling to work out how to incorporate more protein into our daily intake? We’ve got you covered. Here’s an introduction to the best foods you should be adding to your meals in order to up your daily protein intake!

Table of Contents

• 1. Unlock the Benefits of a Protein-Rich Diet
• 2. Finding the Protein Powerhouse Foods to Fuel Your Body
• 3. Create Delicious Ways to Boost Your Protein Intake
• 4. Achieving Healthy Eating Habits with Protein Foods
• Q&A

1. Unlock the Benefits of a Protein-Rich Diet

A protein-rich diet can help you unlock many health benefits. Protein is essential to body functioning and maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Here are some of the benefits you can gain by including more protein in your diet:

• Stronger Muscles: Protein helps to repair and build muscle tissue, so including more protein in your diet can help you build stronger and bigger muscles
• Improved Metabolism: Eating a higher amount of protein boosts the amount of energy being used in your body and increases your metabolic rate
• Healthier Bones: Protein enables your bones to absorb nutrients better, preventing osteopenia and osteoporosis while promoting healthier bones
• Stable Blood Sugar: Eating protein helps to reduce hunger and keeps blood sugar levels more stable, which can help prevent diabetes

Protein consumption also helps to support healthy weight loss. Protein takes significantly longer to break down than carbohydrates, which helps you feel full longer and helps you to stay on track with your dieting goals. It also helps you to keep losing weight, even when you’re not actively dieting. So, by including more protein-rich foods in your daily diet, you can unlock these health benefits and improve your overall well-being.

2. Finding the Protein Powerhouse Foods to Fuel Your Body

Your body is like a machine–it needs fuel to function properly. And the most important fuel for your body is protein. Protein is essential for growth and repair and provides your body with energy. To keep your engine running efficiently, it’s important to stock up on a variety of protein powerhouse foods.

Getting enough protein doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s some of the best protein powerhouses that you can add to your diet for optimal nutrition:

• Fish and Seafood: These are some of the best sources of protein. Try to consume fish or seafood like salmon, sardines, mackerel, and shrimp at least two times a week.
• Poultry: Chicken and turkey are both great sources of lean protein. Choose skinless cuts when possible and limit your portion size to about the size of your palm.
• Eggs: Eggs can provide a healthy carb and protein boost in one convenient package. Choose pastured or omega-3 enriched eggs for the best nutrition.
• Plant Sources: If you don’t eat meat, you can still get your protein from plant-based sources like lentils, seitan, quinoa, and hemp hearts.
• Cheeses: Low-fat cheese is a great source of protein, calcium, and other essential vitamins and minerals. Look for cheeses with fewer than 8 grams of fat per serving.
• Nuts and Seeds: Add your favorite nuts and seeds to your daily snack routine for a protein punch. Cashews, walnuts, and chia seeds are good options.

3. Create Delicious Ways to Boost Your Protein Intake

Whenever you’re getting ready to work out, the last thing you want to worry about is how you’re going to get enough protein. Protein is the fuel that helps you power through your workouts, and adding more to your diet can help you reach your fitness goals. Fortunately, there are lots of delicious and easy options to boost your protein intake. All you need to do is get creative! Here are three yummy recipes to get you started:

• Cinnamon Quinoa Protein Bowl. Start with a base of quinoa, then add your favourite toppings like almonds, banana slices and chia seeds. Sprinkle some cinnamon on top for flavour and a boost of protein.
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Shake. Put some peanut butter, banana, almond milk and ice in a blender to whip up this thick and delicious shake. Add some protein powder and a few drops of chocolate extract for a protein-packed treat.
• Deconstructed Sushi Salad. Take all your favorite sushi ingredients like edamame, shredded carrots, seaweed and cucumbers, and put them in a bowl. Top with some cooked shrimp or salmon for a crunchy and protein-packed salad.

These recipes are relatively simple to make, don’t require too many ingredients, and let you get creative with flavours. Give them a try! They’re a great alternative to having the same protein shake over and over again.

4. Achieving Healthy Eating Habits with Protein Foods

When it comes to healthy eating habits, protein-rich foods can be one of your best friends. The macronutrient is essential for a well-balanced diet, as it helps to keep you feeling fuller for longer and gives you the energy you need to stay productive throughout your day. If you want to up your intake of protein, here are some simple and delicious ways to do it:

• Eggs: One of the most versatile proteins out there, eggs are a great source of essential vitamins and minerals, as well as being delicious as scrambled eggs, an omelette or boiled.
• Dairy: Milk, cheese and yoghurt are all excellent sources of protein, as well as calcium, potassium and other essential vitamins and minerals.
• Beans and legumes: From black beans to chickpeas to lentils, beans and legumes are packed with protein and fibre, as well as providing a good source of iron and folate.
• Seafood: Fish, shellfish and other types of seafood like mussels and oysters are all excellent sources of protein, omega-3 fatty acids and other vitamins and minerals.
• Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and more are all great sources of healthy fats, protein and fibre.

These are just some of the ways to get more protein in your diet in a healthy and enjoyable way. With a variety of options available, you can mix and match them to create meals that are both nutritious and delicious.

No matter how you decide to incorporate more protein in your diet, you can be sure to do so in a delicious and nutritious way. And as always, if you’re unsure about adding more protein to your diet, speak to your physician to determine what’s best for you and your lifestyle. Together, you can discover a plan that fuels your body and helps you thrive.