High protein foods should be an integral part of our diet. Proteins are the foundation of our body. They are part of the muscle tissue, act as many enzymes, as well as hormones. One of the most important proteins is hemoglobin, which is necessary for the transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. Even our hair and nails are made up of a certain protein. Based on all this, we can conclude that products with a high protein content are simply necessary for us.
The above data reflect superficially the role of proteins in the body, since their functions and significance are much more diverse. Life without them is impossible. In addition, high-protein nutrition has found application in sports, especially among bodybuilders. Such food is necessary for building muscle mass. This is due to the fact that the muscles are built mainly due to actin and myosin, proteins that provide contraction.
Do not think that foods that are high in protein contain only proteins. In fact, such a diet is complete, since such food contains fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and mineral elements. Now let's take a closer look at what kind of food is high in protein.
The most traditional food in this regard is considered meat. The most complete proteins can be found in beef. Veal possesses the same properties, which is more gentle and easier to digest. So, in veal of the first and second category contains up to 20% protein. Pork contains slightly less protein, especially its fatty varieties, in which the fat content reaches 50%. Lamb is even tougher meat than beef, but the protein in it is about the same amount. However, the content of mineral elements is lower than in the meat of other animals. Horse meat contains up to 21% protein, and is not inferior to beef in mineral content. Rabbit meat, which is almost a quarter protein and rich in B vitamins and minerals, is an excellent choice. Preferred for the body are also chicken proteins containing all the essential amino acids, which, among other things, are easily digested.
The category “products with a high protein content” also includes fish, which is a source of very high-quality protein. It is fish meat that contains in sufficient quantities such an essential amino acid as methionine. In addition, in fish there is only a small amount of connective tissue, the presence of which is considered a disadvantage of animal meat. Also, the fish is easier to digest in the gastrointestinal tract, therefore, the absorption of proteins of this source is higher. The protein content depends on the specific species of fish and varies widely, for example, its tuna contains 24%, while in cod - 15%. And this is not the only benefit of fish meat: it contains many vitamins and minerals.
Eggs are very useful for protein. For example, a chicken egg contains the optimal combination of substances necessary for humans, including proteins. Protein and yolk have unequal nutrient content. The protein contains substances that, without prior heat treatment, are difficult to digest. But the yolk is a concentrate of useful compounds and elements.
High protein foods do not end there. You can add a lot of cereals to them, which, depending on the type, contain from 10 to 20% of this substance. This is buckwheat, and rice, and other cultures. They are valuable not only as a source of highly digestible protein, but also as stimulants of good digestion. A sufficient amount of protein contains some fruits and vegetables, which do not suffer from a deficiency of vitamins.