protein source
Muscle-building food category
A protein source is any food or substance that provides protein, an essential nutrient the body uses for building and repairing tissues.
Common protein sources include meat, fish, eggs, dairy, legumes, and nuts, though the term increasingly appears in discussions of plant-based alternatives and sustainability.
Tofu is an excellent protein source for vegetarians.
In nutrition contexts, foods are often evaluated by how complete a protein source they are—whether they contain all essential amino acids.
- chickpeasBeige edible legumes
- lentilsSmall edible legume seeds
- tofuCoagulated soy milk block
- plant basedDerived from vegetation
- eggsReproductive cells in shells
egg whites · mycoprotein · fish · spirulina · duckweed · chicken · lean meat · quinoa · algae · beef · red meat · tempeh · edamame · nuts · peanut butter · turkey · beans · kidney beans
- escargotescargot, Bourguignon, garlic butter, edible snails, herb butter
- forage fisheriessardines, anchovies, anchovy, forage fish, baitfish
- legumespea, peas, bean, beans, lentils
- pet foodfish food, pet food, cat food, dog treats, kibble
- plant-basedplant-based, lentils, plant milk, tofu, chickpeas
- Milk Chemistrylactose, casein, whey, calcium, fat