The 40 Best High-Protein Foods

High-Protein Foods | Low-Calorie Foods | Low-Carb Foods | Healthy Snacks | Protein Shake Recipes | Protein Pancake Recipes

Lifting weights and eating protein go hand in hand—or maybe hand on shaker bottle. But as great as protein powders are, they shouldn't be where you get all of your protein! You need a diet built around protein-rich foods to get a full range of amino acids and nutrient

If you're looking to increase your protein intake for weight loss and muscle gain with the best protein sources, here's your complete list of high-protein foods - plus easy recipe ideas to help you put them into practice! Each is high in protein and low in carbs, so you can enjoy them without sabotaging your progress.

High-Protein Dairy And Eggs

1. Eggs - 6 g per large egg

There's a reason bodybuilders' shopping videos always seem to contain dozens of eggs. These muscle-building treasures are packed with branched-chain amino acids, omega 3 fatty acids, and very low in carbohydrates. Come on, make the ultimate omelet!

2. Greek yogurt - 23 g per 8 oz.

3. Cottage cheese - 14 g per 1/2 cup

4. Swiss cheese - 8 g per oz

5. 2% milk - 8 g per cup

6. Whey or casein protein powder - 24-30 g per scoop

7. RTD protein drinks - 16-20 g per cup

8. Frozen Greek yogurt - 6 g per 1/2 cup

High-Protein Seafood

9. Chunk light tuna - 22 g per 3 oz.

10. Yellowfin tuna - 25 g per 3 oz.

11. Halibut - 23 g per 3 oz.

13. Sockeye salmon - 23 g per 3 oz.

14. Tilapia - 21 g per 3 oz.

15. Anchovies - 24 g per 3 oz.

16. Sardines - 21 g per 3 oz.

High-Protein Meats

17. Chicken breast - 24 g per 3 oz.

18. Steak - 23 g per 3 oz.

19. Ground beef - 18 g per 3 oz.

20. Pork chops - 26 g per 3 oz.

21. Turkey breast - 24 g per 3 oz.

22. Corned beef - 24 g per 3 oz

23. Canned chicken - 21 g per 3 oz.

24. Roast beef - 18 g per 3 oz.

25. Canadian bacon - 15 g per 3 oz.

26. Chorizo - 21 g per 3 oz.

27. Pepperoni - 18 g per 3 oz.

28. Roasted turkey breast - 18 g per 3 oz.

29. Beef jerky - 13 g per 1 oz

Plant-Based Protein

30. Peanut Butter - 8 g per 2 tbsp

Peanut butter has it all: protein, healthy fats and incredible flavor. That's why registered dietitian Dr. Douglas Kalman says nut butters are a great tool for weight gain in Bodybuilding.com's Fitness Nutrition Fundamentals video series. When served with 2 slices of whole-wheat bread, one peanut butter sandwich has a total of 15 grams of protein. Get the same amount in just two of these peanut butter protein drops - but you won't stop at two!

31. Quinoa - 8 g per cup

It's worth mentioning this seed, which contains all 9 essential amino acids, making it a complete protein! But that's not all. Each cup also contains 5 grams of fiber and plenty of minerals like manganese, magnesium and phosphorus. You might be surprised to learn that it's also a great chili!