If you want to build muscle or lose weight, a high protein diet could be an ideal way. These meal plans typically provide approximately 30% of your calorie needs from protein.

Choose proteins such as lean meats, eggs, fish, soy products, beans and legumes, whole grains and dairy. Each meal should also include carbohydrates, vegetables and fruit as well as healthy fats to round out its nutrition.

Meat

Protein plays an integral role in our bodies for cell division and repair as well as maintaining muscle and bone tissue, among many other tasks. A diet high in protein may benefit our overall health by helping prevent chronic diseases. Studies indicate this fact.

Meat and fish are both excellent sources of protein. When purchasing meat, choose cuts with minimal visible fat and look for cuts labeled “lean,” indicating less than 10 g of total fat and 4.5 g of saturated fat per serving. When selecting poultry options such as skinless choices that avoid dark meats; when purchasing ground meat opt for lean options like round, chuck or sirloin cuts. Fish and seafood provide another rich source of proteins with heart-healthy unsaturated fats.

Lean meats and fish are considered complete proteins as they provide all essential amino acids in an ideal dose for human bodies. Eggs and dairy also provide significant protein benefits. Beans and legumes, soy products, whole grains, tofu and tempeh are plant-based sources of complete proteins, making complete meals by pairing with meat or fish as desired.

Our 2-Week Healthy Meal Plan features two weeks’ worth of protein-rich dinner recipes designed by registered dietitians as well as an accompanying grocery list to get you on track with healthy eating. There are both meat and vegetarian options to choose from!

Fish

Fish is a fantastic protein source and should be part of our weekly meals at least twice. Not only is it low-fat and high-quality, it’s also full of essential omega-3 fatty acids as well as essential vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, eating more seafood helps lower risks associated with cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Other sources of protein that make for good options include eggs, lean cuts of meat, soy products, beans and peas, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Aim to incorporate some of these items into each of your meals and snacks every day; their high nutrient density offers additional advantages beyond protein alone such as fiber, iron and healthy fats.

Take control of your health with this two-week meal plan from Free2WkMealPlans, complete with grocery list and delicious recipes! Aim for 30 percent of calories to come from protein, 35 percent from dietary fat and 45 percent from carbohydrates; for customized plans please speak to a registered dietitian; be sure to discuss any specific dietary restrictions with your healthcare providers prior to changing diet or beginning any physical activity program – A registered dietitian can provide guidance in designing safe, effective, sustainable plans designed to achieve your health goals

Legumes

Legumes (such as beans, peas and lentils) are a mainstay in vegetarian and vegan diets alike. Their versatility extends far beyond vegetarianism or veganism: low glycemic index foods; rich sources of protein and fiber; great sources of iron; sodium-low options that offer substantial cardiovascular health benefits – and an ideal food choice for people living with diabetes or concerned about heart disease; in fact research suggests incorporating legumes into our daily meals may even lower blood sugar levels and cholesterol.

These versatile foods can serve as either an entree or side dish and make an affordable addition to soups, stews, curries and salads. Their affordability allows them to remain stored for extended periods. You can purchase dried form or canned; when purchasing canned varieties look for those without added salt.

If you’re just getting into legumes, start small and build up to one cup daily. As with any high-fiber and complex carb food, too much can cause gas and bloating; thus it is wise to include legumes gradually in your meal plan.

If legumes cause intolerance issues for you, consider switching up your protein powder source and pairing legumes with other foods like chicken or fish to ease transition. Beyond being an excellent source of protein, legumes also contain folates, potassium, B vitamins and other vital elements essential for good health.

Vegetables

Vegetables may not seem like the obvious source of protein, but they can provide an abundance of this essential nutrient. Vegetables like watercress, spinach and bok choy contain high concentrations of this vital macronutrient while also being packed full of essential vitamins and minerals – including A, C and K!

Peppers (red and green), okra, cauliflower, kale and cabbage are also excellent sources of protein and fibre-rich vegetables that should be included as part of a varied diet to gain all their various health benefits. It’s essential that we enjoy all these different varieties so we can maximize all their unique nutrients!

Fruits such as bananas, guava and berries also contain some protein but in lesser amounts than beans, legumes and whole grains; additionally these fruits provide healthy fats such as avocado and olive oil for optimal consumption.

At least 250 grams of protein should be obtained daily through the Protein Foods Group, including eggs, lean cuts of meat and poultry, fish, seafood and soy products; beans, peas and lentils; nuts and seeds; and whole grains. If you are vegetarian it’s essential that plant proteins chosen are complete proteins that contain all essential amino acids – they can achieve this by eating an assortment of vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, tofu tempeh quinoa as well as small quantities of unprocessed or whole grain products.

Dairy

Dairy companies have worked tirelessly to portray themselves as nutritious components of our diet through advertisements featuring Angelina Jolie and Shaquille O’Neal wearing milk mustaches; but in reality it can be extremely inflammatory and detrimental for many individuals. Dairy contains saturated fat which has been linked to inflammation as well as serious health conditions like heart disease and diabetes.

However, evidence exists to support dairy’s benefits for some individuals. According to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, they recommend restricting intakes of foods high in saturated fat to 10% or less daily; however other fatty acids found in dairy, like omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce inflammation and improve heart health.

The recommended daily amount of dairy should include two to three servings each day, such as milk, yogurt, butter and cheese. Yogurt, kefir and cottage cheese make delicious protein-packed breakfasts or snacks, while soups, smoothies and casseroles can incorporate dairy as well.

Are you in search of healthy meal ideas? This 2-Week Meal Plan features recipes for four dinners each week (complete with grocery lists) along with breakfast, lunch and snack suggestions designed by Registered Dietitians to meet most adults’ protein requirements. Adapt the plan to meet your dietary preferences such as eliminating meat or adding vegetables if applicable.

Protein Powder

Protein powder has long been used by those looking to lose weight, gain muscle or improve fitness. But it is essential that when purchasing protein powder you research what you are buying as this form of supplementation is unregulated like food products so quality must always be monitored carefully.

Supplements typically consist of milk (whey and casein), peas, egg whites or plant proteins and may include additives to enhance texture, flavor or consistency. An unflavored protein powder (available on Amazon for $35) with minimal ingredients that focus on just protein itself is best; those flavored varieties tend to include added sugars or low- or no-calorie sweeteners that compromise its purity.

Plant-based protein powders can be an ideal way to meet athletes’ protein needs without dairy, or those with milk allergies or intolerances. Plant-based varieties generally score higher on the Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAA), which measures how quickly proteins are digested into our bodies.

Of course, using protein powder alone as a meal may not be ideal, according to sports dietician Claire Fudge of Fourth Discipline Nutrition. “Just like eating chicken as part of your meal would never do, the same principle should apply when combining protein with veggies, fiber-rich carbs and healthy fats in smoothies or shakes containing the powder,” she suggests. To ensure its purity check the label for certifications such as NSF Certified for Sport or Informed Choice Sport certifications on products like this one.