[{"document_url": "https://www.collegenutritionist.com/blog/protein", "unformatted_src": "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/539505b3e4b0d85a0d78c679/t/5b7a4d274ae2377ea924c1fe/1534741806661/jeff-sheldon-264920-unsplash.jpg", "src": "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/539505b3e4b0d85a0d78c679/t/5b7a4d274ae2377ea924c1fe/1534741806661/jeff-sheldon-264920-unsplash.jpg", "formatted_filename": "jeff sheldon unsplash", "alt_text": "jeff-sheldon-264920-unsplash.jpg"}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.collegenutritionist.com/blog/protein", "unformatted_src": "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/539505b3e4b0d85a0d78c679/t/5c19be1888251bf9fbda27a9/1545190947475/CN_+All+About+Protein.png", "src": "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/539505b3e4b0d85a0d78c679/t/5c19be1888251bf9fbda27a9/1545190947475/CN_+All+About+Protein.png", "formatted_filename": "CN  All About Protein", "alt_text": "CN_ All About Protein.png"}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.collegenutritionist.com/blog/protein", "unformatted_src": "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/539505b3e4b0d85a0d78c679/t/5bb8da43b208fcdd65de5920/1538841164829/For+blog+posts+%2811%29.png", "src": "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/539505b3e4b0d85a0d78c679/t/5bb8da43b208fcdd65de5920/1538841164829/For+blog+posts+%2811%29.png", "formatted_filename": "For blog posts", "alt_text": "For blog posts (11).png"}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.collegenutritionist.com/blog/protein", "unformatted_src": "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/539505b3e4b0d85a0d78c679/58fd7836be6594f266e6834c/5bba0ef84785d317a3ef457e/1545190912432/roberta-sorge-142255-unsplash.jpg", "src": "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/539505b3e4b0d85a0d78c679/58fd7836be6594f266e6834c/5bba0ef84785d317a3ef457e/1545190912432/roberta-sorge-142255-unsplash.jpg", "formatted_filename": "roberta sorge unsplash", "alt_text": "Which Fats Should I Eat?"}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.collegenutritionist.com/blog/protein", "unformatted_src": "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/539505b3e4b0d85a0d78c679/58fd7836be6594f266e6834c/5bb807561905f4238479d11c/1545190950864/heather-schwartz-512786-unsplash.jpg", "src": "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/539505b3e4b0d85a0d78c679/58fd7836be6594f266e6834c/5bb807561905f4238479d11c/1545190950864/heather-schwartz-512786-unsplash.jpg", "formatted_filename": "heather schwartz unsplash", "alt_text": "All About Protein"}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.collegenutritionist.com/blog/protein", "unformatted_src": "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/539505b3e4b0d85a0d78c679/58fd7836be6594f266e6834c/5bb7668bf9619a6e7f227699/1542647611934/louise-lyshoj-785186-unsplash.jpg", "src": "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/539505b3e4b0d85a0d78c679/58fd7836be6594f266e6834c/5bb7668bf9619a6e7f227699/1542647611934/louise-lyshoj-785186-unsplash.jpg", "formatted_filename": "louise lyshoj unsplash", "alt_text": "Starches vs. Non-Starchy Vegetables"}, null, null, {"document_url": "https://www.collegenutritionist.com/blog/protein", "unformatted_src": "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/539505b3e4b0d85a0d78c679/5b8720664ae23721f5cf5cdb/5ba318d2aa4a996cab728144/1543447413025/breakfast.jpg", "src": "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/539505b3e4b0d85a0d78c679/5b8720664ae23721f5cf5cdb/5ba318d2aa4a996cab728144/1543447413025/breakfast.jpg", "formatted_filename": "breakfast", "alt_text": "Breakfast"}, {"document_url": "https://www.collegenutritionist.com/blog/protein", "unformatted_src": "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/539505b3e4b0d85a0d78c679/5b8720664ae23721f5cf5cdb/5ba318d46d2a739a194b4f47/1537415507398/lunch.jpg", "src": "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/539505b3e4b0d85a0d78c679/5b8720664ae23721f5cf5cdb/5ba318d46d2a739a194b4f47/1537415507398/lunch.jpg", "formatted_filename": "lunch", "alt_text": "Lunch"}, {"document_url": "https://www.collegenutritionist.com/blog/protein", "unformatted_src": "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/539505b3e4b0d85a0d78c679/5b8720664ae23721f5cf5cdb/5ba318d2758d46d76ffdd7c4/1539106308376/dinner.jpg", "src": "https://static1.squarespace.com/static/539505b3e4b0d85a0d78c679/5b8720664ae23721f5cf5cdb/5ba318d2758d46d76ffdd7c4/1539106308376/dinner.jpg", "formatted_filename": "dinner", "alt_text": "Dinner"}, null, null]


Animal Proteins

A protein source of food is either “complete” or “incomplete” - meaning it either contains all or some of the essential amino acids we need for our bodily functions. Complete proteins are mostly found in animal products. Vegetable-Based Proteins

Some non-animal foods (particularly beans, grains, and nuts and seeds) contain a number of the amino acids our bodies need, but not all of them. These are called “incomplete” protein sources. You can combine certain incomplete proteins with others to make a complete protein source. But if you eat a variety of foods generally, you likely don’t have to worry about this.

For the purposes of this blog post

I’m listing proteins that are more made of protein than carbohydrate (i.e. so I’m not including grains and beans) - for the reasons I mentioned at the top of this page!

Here is a good list and what 1 “normal” serving of different proteins includes. By “normal”, I mean the amount one could add to a meal or snack. I hope this list can help generate other meal and snack ideas if you need them!

1 “normal” serving = ~150 calories

Poultry (Chicken & Turkey)




Fish & Seafood

Nuts & Seeds (includes some non-dairy substitutes)

Soy-Based/ Meat Substitutes (includes some non-dairy substitutes)
 Which Fats Should I Eat?
 All About Protein Starches vs. Non-Starchy Vegetables

Hey, it's Rachel! Let's connect!
 Latest on the Gram Let’s connect on Pinterest!