How to find high-protein foods

Protein is a key part of a balanced diet, but knowing the best protein sources can be hard, especially if you’re only just starting to consider it in your daily diet. 

Why do we need protein in our diet?

Proteins are vital for powering overall body function, and they are also important for muscle gain or toning. Protein helps the body repair not only muscle, but also bone, skin and hair.

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Foods high in protein

High-protein foods also typically contain carbohydrates, fats, and sugar. Therefore, it’s crucial to identify healthy protein sources with minimal additional components.

Some high-protein foods include:

• Fish: cod, salmon, tuna
• Seafood: crab, mussels, prawns
• Lean proteins: chicken, turkey, pork
• Eggs
• Dairy: milk, cheese, yoghurt
• Fruit: avocados, blackberries, dates
• Vegetables: spinach, corn, kale
• Beans, chickpeas, lentils
• Nuts and seeds
• Soy products, e.g. tofu

Of course, there are way more examples of foods with high protein intake, but these are some that you can easily include in your diet.

How to get more protein in your diet

By incorporating protein-rich ingredients into your recipes, you will increase the amount of protein in your diet. To boost your protein intake, you can also:

Get proteins from plants

The notion that vegetarians cannot obtain enough protein in their diets is a misconception. Beans, peas, nuts, seeds and whole grains are a great source of protein. Combining these with various fruits and vegetables results in a well-balanced vegetarian diet.

Choose lean meats

If you are a meat eater, then considering your choice of meat can also help increase the amount of protein you intake. Poultry and certain seafood are lean protein sources among animal-based ingredients.

Reduce processed meats

Processed meats, such as sausages and bacon, often include added salt or have been cured, which diminishes the protein nourishment they can provide.

HelloFresh recipes with protein-rich ingredients

Cheesy Moroccan Plant-Based Mince

Ideal for vegetarians who struggle to add enough protein to their diet, this Moroccan recipe mixes vegan meat with cheese and spinach. All these foods add a lot of high-quality protein to your meal!

Tex-Mex Seared Chicken Steak

This Mexican-inspired chicken recipe is perfect for meat eaters seeking a protein-packed dish. When paired with high-protein sides like avocado and black beans, this dish is bursting with goodness, flavour and spice.

Mexican Lamb Tortilla Stack 

Another great Mexican recipe full of protein to fill you up! This recipe mixes high-protein ingredients, such as juicy lamb, minced meat, cheese and Greek yoghurt. This dish is perfect for building up that muscle mass!