Part of the legume family, lentils provide 12g of plant-based protein in every 50g serve – although they're low in the amino acids methionine and cysteine, making their protein incomplete. 'Combining them with other beans, legumes and grains in a meal allows them to become a complete source of protein,' says Haigh. As well as being a rich source of B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, and potassium, lentils are high in fibre, 'which contributes to optimal digestion, better gut health and decreased risk of colon cancer,' he says.
They're a bit 'wellness', but don't underestimate the no-bake energy ball as a protein-rich snack. Whizz up almond butter, high quality protein powder, coconut flour, vanilla extract and almond milk in a blender, roll the mix into balls and stick them in the fridge. If you squint they look like cookie dough.
Still think it's super weird? If it helps, tofu is made by curdling fresh soya milk, pressing it into a block and cooling it, which is pretty much how most cheeses are made. It's a bit of a blank canvas, but providing you season it well, tofu can be useful low-carb addition to even the most carnivorous of diets – packing 8g protein and 1.9g carbs per 100g portion.
This contains more fat than chicken, but it’s mainly monounsaturated. A fillet comes in at just 200kcal and the taste is satisfyingly rich, making it a gourmet addition to your best protein foods.
The base of hummus, chickpeas are a great addition to soups, salads and curries. They also contain 7-8g of fibre per portion.
Plump, meaty and low in calories, these molluscs taste best seared until crispy and then placed atop a bowl of risotto. Per 100g serving contains 21g of protein.
Cheap, easy to cook and packed full of protein. 100g of squid will serve up 18g of the muscle-building macronutrient.
With a lower calorie count than most cheeses and plenty of calcium, this is a smart addition to your best protein foods in your quest to hit your macro targets.
These are also stuffed with vitamin B12. Throw a bag of them into a pot with beer and butter, then serve with crusty bread. Per 100g contains 15g of protein.
With an impressive 18g of protein and mere 82 calories per 100g, cod could be a formidable addition to your fat-loss meal plan and is easily one of the best high protein foods around.