Natural High Protein Foods

Natural High Protein Foods
Photo Credit Cheese. Cheddar , cream , and feta cheese on a plate image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com

Your body needs the essential amino acids that make up protein to support your immune system, cellular development, muscle mass and skin. Proteins are vital in regulating your body's organs, tissues and cells. Your body needs dietary protein each day because it does not store it the same way it stores carbohydrates and fats. According to MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, you require 50 to 65 g of protein every day. High protein diets require more calcium intake because calcium neutralizes the acids protein release in your body.

Cheese

High-protein diets have been shown to reduce weight. Harvard reported a study, documented by the "Journal of the American Medical Association," on groups of overweight women who went on low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets and low-fat balanced diets. The study concluded that the women eating high protein and low carbohydrates lost significantly more weight than the latter. You can obtain a high level of natural protein from cheese. Cheeses that are loaded with protein include cheddar, goat and cottage.

Meat

Meat is one of the richest sources of natural protein of all food. Meat provides complete protein, which means it supplies your body with all of the amino acids it cannot produce on its own. You can obtain high amounts of protein from a single serving of meats such as beef, lamb, turkey and pork.

Fish

Fish supply your body with a high amount of protein. You can implement fish into your diet by adding it to salads and alternating it for your main dishes twice a week. Salmon and tuna contain more than 25 g of protein each in a 100 g serving. Sardines, perch, herring, cod and anchovies provide your body with a high level of protein as well.

References

Article reviewed by John Hagemann Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011

Must see: Photo Galleries

Member Comments