Whether you're a veggie or vegan looking to get enough protein in your diet, or you're interested in upping your protein intake to boost workouts – we have all the information you need on this essential nutrient. Below you'll find out how much protein you need in a day, which foods are the highest in protein and what it means to follow a high-protein diet. Plus, you'll find lots of high-protein recipes and our best buys for protein bars and powders.

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Have a scroll through our best high-protein vegetarian recipes, filling high-protein bowl recipes and high-protein breakfasts for pre or post-workout.

What is protein and how much should you eat?

10 high-protein foods

Brown rice tabbouleh with eggs & parsley on a blue table

How much protein should you eat, and what are the best dietary sources of protein? Follow our nutritionist's guide to discover how to get all the protein you need.

Is protein powder good for you?

Protein Powder

Ever wondered if protein shakes are actually a healthy choice, which type of protein powder is best or if protein makes you gain weight? Our nutritionist answers all your questions in this in-depth guide.

What are high-protein diets?

Food rich in healthy proteins

Want to know why those looking to lose weight often adopt high-protein diet? Here, we tell everything you need to know about this popular approach.

How much protein do I need?

Different types of protein

Protein is an essential nutrient, but how do we know when we’re eating enough? Registered nutritionist, Kerry Torrens explains how much we need and why it’s so important for our health.

How much protein to build muscle?

Man drinking a protein shake after a workout

Looking to build muscle mass and preserve your strength for the future? Registered nutritionist, Kerry Torrens examines the amount of protein we need to stay healthy and get stronger.

Protein and carbs – have I got the balance right?

A selection of foods on a table

While many believe high-protein, low-carb diets aid weight loss, is it as simple as that, or are there other issues to consider before cutting the carbs? Nutritionist Kerry Torrens takes a look at the latest evidence.

The best vegetarian protein sources

Bowl of noodles with vegetables and eggs

What vegetarian foods are high in protein? We examine the best sources of protein for vegetarians including protein-packed fruit, veg, eggs and pulses.

The 10 best vegan protein sources

Various grains on spoons and in a bowl

Discover the best plant-based sources of protein to boost your intake as a vegan, including pulses, tofu, quinoa, nuts and seeds, grains and vegetables.

20 high-protein vegetarian foods

Tempeh and vegetables in a tray

Whether you follow a plant-based diet or eat meat-free a few days a week, it's important to know which vegetarian foods will provide the protein you need. Foods like tempeh, used here to make a colourful traybake, are important sources to include as part of any veggie diet.

Protein reviews

The best vegan protein bars

The best protein bars review

We tested popular protein-packed snacks to find the best on the market. Read on to discover how to use protein supplements safely and when to seek advice. And, if you follow a plant-based diet, read our review of the best vegan protein bars.

The best vegan protein powders tried and tested

The best vegan protein powders

We put plant-based protein powders to the test to find the best vegan products to buy. Discover our top vegan protein powder picks.

High-protein recipes

High-protein breakfast recipes

Stack of protein pancakes with nut butter and berries

Try our healthy, protein-packed breakfast ideas for a nutritious start to your day, from easy protein pancakes with nut butter to healthy scrambled eggs and homemade protein shakes.

High-protein dinner recipes

Veggie protein chilli with sweet potato

Discover our protein-packed dinner ideas, including chicken, beef, pork and fish dishes as well as vegetarian recipes using tofu, eggs and lentils. This vegan chilli is the perfect meal for after a workout, and it's freezable if you want to batch cook.

10 ways to add protein to your smoothie

Peanut butter smoothie in two glasses

If you want to up the protein in your smoothie but you're not a fan of protein powder, check out these clever and tasty additions.

High-protein bowl recipes

Steak burrito bowl with rice, peppers and lemon

Ramp up your protein intake with our nutritious, filling bowl recipes. Try steak burrito bowls, jerk chicken & mango bowl, steamed salmon & veg rice bowl, and more.

High-protein vegetarian recipes

Vegetarian ramen in a bowl with pak choi and boiled egg

Looking for high-protein vegetarian meals? In these meat-free recipes, at least 20 per cent of the calories come from protein. Tuck into our delicious vegetarian ramen, Indian-spiced scrambled eggs, black bean chilli and more.

High-protein vegan recipes

Curried tofu wraps on a board with shredded cabbage and fresh lime

Discover delicious vegan recipes where at least 20 per cent of the calories comes from protein, to keep you feeling fuller for longer. Tuck into our spicy curried tofu wraps, vegan miso ramen and vegan lasagne.

High-protein family recipes

Lentil bolognese in two bowls

Our high-protein family recipes help your family get all the protein they need and stay fuller for longer. From batches of lentil bolognese to colourful fajitas.

High-protein pasta recipes

Slow cooker meatballs and spaghetti on a plate

Try our pasta recipes – from classics like bolognese to gluten-free bakes – for comforting and nutritious dinner options. These slow cooker meatballs would be a great dinner for re-fuelling after a workout.

High-protein lunch recipes

Salmon Nicoise salad

Try our healthy, protein-packed lunch ideas from soups and salads to burgers and omelettes, including chicken, fish, meat and vegetarian options. This easy salmon niçoise is guaranteed to be a new favourite.

High-protein snack recipes

Nutty chicken satay strips

Give yourself an extra boost with our easy, protein-packed snacks, like these nutty chicken satay strips. Perfect to keep you satisfied between meals or as a post-workout bite.

Cheap high-protein meals

Vegan chickpea curry jacket potatoes

These simple dinners are high in protein but don't cost the earth – perfect for achieving your health goals on a budget. Nothing says budget-friendly like our vegan curried chickpeas & jacket potatoes.

12 high-protein low-carb meals

Baked salmon and leek parcel

Whether you're following the keto diet or looking to eat more high-protein, low-carb foods, we've picked recipes to keep you feeling full and energised. First try this easy baked salmon & leek salmon parcel.

Enjoy this? Now try:

What is the macro diet?
What is the Dukan diet?
What is the carnivore diet?
Health benefits of eggs
Health benefits of lentils

Is there something you'd like to know about protein that we haven't covered here? Tell us know in the comments below.


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All health content on goodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local health care provider. See our website terms and conditions for more information.

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