Protein is one of the important building blocks of a healthy diet and it helps to build muscle tissue as well. Of course, sometimes it can be difficult to find high quality protein sources. While some foods can offer a nice dose of protein, some come along with high calorie counts and a lot of fat as well. Lean protein provides the benefit of adding the important protein to your diet without adding high amounts of fat or calories, keeping you fit and healthy. Here are a few great ways that you can start adding lean protein to your diet without having to go with foods that will sabotage your diet.
Eat More Seafood
One of the ways that you can add lean protein to your diet is by eating more seafood instead of other types of meats. Most seafood provide you with protein that is low in fat – much lower than most meats can offer. Lean fish like whitefish and tuna are both great choices. Oily fish will not only add more protein to your diet, but they can also provide your body with healthy omega 3s as well.
Add More Beans
Another way to begin taking in more lean protein is to add more beans to your diet. Beans like kidney beans, red beans, black beans, and other beans are a great way to get protein. Not only can they help you increase your protein, but they also help to boost the amount of fiber in your diet too, another important aspect for good health.
Go with Lean Cuts of Beef
Lean cuts of beef can also provide you with the protein your body needs. Make sure you choose cuts that are lean, such as ground beef that is 90% lean or higher. Loin cuts are also great beef cuts that give you protein without as much fat and calories as fattier cuts of beef offer.
Poultry and Pork
Options Poultry and pork make great options in your diet as well. White meat chicken and turkey are both great lean protein sources but it is a good idea to remove any skin for the best nutrition. Lean cuts of pork like tenderloin also provide you with plenty of protein without packing too much fat.
Choose Low Fat Dairy
Many people do not realize it, but low fat dairy products not only are a great source of vitamin D and calcium, but they offer plenty of protein as well. Some of the top dairy products to add to your diet include low sugar, fat free yogurt, skim milk, or even low fat cottage cheese. They will provide you with more protein as well as many other nutrients your body needs.
Easy Tuna Salad Recipe
Tuna is definitely a great source of lean protein. Here is an easy tuna salad recipe you can use that is low fat and full of the lean protein your body needs.
Ingredients:
1 6oz can of tuna ¼ cup of onion, chopped 1 teaspoon of fat free mayo 1 teaspoon of fat free sour cream 1-2 tablespoons of sweet pickle relish ½ teaspoon mustard
Put tuna in a bowl and break up meat chunks with a fork. Add in the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Serve on lettuce, whole grain toast, or whole grain English muffins.
Adding lean protein to your diet is important. Consider using a chicken parmesan recipe for dinner for a nice amount of protein or enjoy quick and easy chicken salad recipes that provide healthy lean protein as well.BonelessChickenRecipe.com – Chicken so delightfully moist, you can almost smell it through your monitor.
