Natural High Protein Foods

Protein is an essential part of all life. Protein, made of amino acids, is the basic nutritional building block of plants and animals. Most people get more than enough protein in their ordinary diets for a healthy body. Some need higher protein diets for special health reasons. There are many ways to get protein into your diet and the easiest way is to eat foods naturally high in protein.

Meat, Poultry and Fish

Meat, poultry and fish are all examples of "high-quality" or "complete" protein foods. Proteins are made up of amino acids. A healthy diet contains all of the essential amino acids required by a human body. Complete protein foods have all the essential amino acids. They have the most protein per serving of most foods in a typical daily diet and the type of protein they contain is sufficient for dietary needs, without any complimentary foods to "complete" them.

Dairy Products

Dairy-based foods are another source of complete protein. Dairy products include milk, cheese, yogurt, cream, and other milk-rich foods that are high in complete protein. For example, one cup of milk has 8 g of protein. One cup of yogurt has about 11 g of protein.

Eggs

Eggs, another food that comes from animals, are a source of complete protein. Eggs can be eaten in a variety of appealing ways. A boiled egg has approximately 6 g of protein.

Nuts

Though they do not provide complete protein, nuts are some of the highest protein vegetable foods available. People who do not wish to eat animal products can use nuts to ensure enough protein in their diets. Some of the highest protein nuts include almonds, cashews, peanuts and pistachios. Combined with whole grain foods, nut-based foods provide a complete protein. For example, a peanut butter sandwich on whole-grain bread and brown rice and vegetables garnished with almonds are two ways to combine foods with incomplete proteins to make a complete protein meal.

Whole Grains and Legumes

Whole grains are another source of incomplete protein, that, in combination with other incomplete protein foods, like legumes, make up a complete protein meal. Beans and brown rice is a common combination that creates a complete protein. Other whole grains to consider in creating meals with complete protein are oats, whole-grain breads and corn. Corn and green beans are a combination that is often overlooked, but makes for a complete protein.