This article was co-authored by Alex Jamal and by wikiHow staff writer, Devin McSween. Alex Jamal is a certified personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach, and nutritionist based in Los Angeles, California. With over 19 years of experience, Alex creates tailored fitness training programs catering to both men and women, and has worked with celebrities, elite athletes, and more. He is also a distinguished men’s physique international competitor, fitness model, and an International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation Chairman. Alex has competed at the Arnold Classic, Mr. Olympia, and the World Fitness Championship. Alex has a BS in Sports and Exercise Nutrition from Oxford Brookes, England.
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Whether you’re trying to lose weight, increase muscle mass, or simply get healthier, eating more protein is a great way to improve your health. Protein helps fuel your body and build your muscles. We spoke with professional dietitians and personal trainers to come up with sample meal plans to meet your goal and easy ways to increase your protein intake each day. Just keep in mind that the average adult requires around 50 grams of protein per day, and 140 grams is well above that.[1]
What does 140 grams of protein look like?
- Breakfast: Eggs with toast (32 g) or Greek yogurt with chia seeds and oats (31 g).
- Lunch: Tuna salad sandwich (27 g) or a quinoa and chickpea grain bowl (20 g).
- Dinner: Chicken stir-fry with brown rice (40 g) or lentil curry (23 g).
- Snack: Almonds (6-15 g), cottage cheese (10 g), or roasted chickpeas (7 g).
Steps
How Can You Change Your Diet to Increase Your Daily Protein Intake?
Expert Q&A
Tips
References
- ↑ https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2020-12/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans_2020-2025.pdf
- ↑ https://engagement.source.colostate.edu/high-protein-breakfast-ideas-dietitian/
- ↑ https://mytxkitchen.com/protein-oatmeal/
- ↑ Lisa Jubilee. Certified Dietician-Nutritionist. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/protein
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/recipes/tuna-salad-sandwiches/rcp-20049843
- ↑ https://cookieandkate.com/best-chickpea-salad-recipe/
- ↑ https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/260721/om-buddha-bowl/
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-chicken-lettuce-wraps-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-220124
- ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content?contenttypeid=76&contentid=20036-1
- ↑ https://atelizabethstable.com/tofu-crumble-and-black-bean-tacos/
- ↑ https://www.jamhands.net/2022/03/low-calorie-turkey-wrap-with-greek-yogurt-ranch.html
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/high-protein-foods-the-best-protein-sources-to-include-in-a-healthy-diet
- ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/fragrant-lemongrass-coconut-chicken-stir-fry
- ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/sesame-salmon-purple-sprouting-broccoli-sweet-potato-mash
- ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/lean-turkey-burger-sweet-potato-wedges
- ↑ https://plantbaes.com/high-protein-vegan-marry-me-pasta-meal-prep/
- ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/lentil-cauliflower-curry
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/7-high-protein-snacks-to-enjoy-on-the-go
- ↑ Lyssandra Guerra. Certified Nutrition & Wellness Consultant. Expert Interview
- ↑ Monica Morris. Certified Personal Trainer. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/high-protein-foods-the-best-protein-sources-to-include-in-a-healthy-diet
- ↑ https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/2646170/nutrients
- ↑ https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/2514747/nutrients
- ↑ https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/334194/nutrients
- ↑ https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/2684440/nutrients
- ↑ https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/tips-for-healthy-eating/healthy-eating-budget/
- ↑ https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/747444/nutrients
- ↑ https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/2644282/nutrients
- ↑ https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/2644283/nutrients
- ↑ https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/174272/nutrients
- ↑ https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/172476/nutrients
- ↑ https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/2515376/nutrients
- ↑ https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/2512372/nutrients
- ↑ https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/2259794/nutrients
- ↑ https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/328841/nutrients
- ↑ https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/2705725/nutrients
- ↑ https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/746776/nutrients
- ↑ https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/1999630/nutrients
- ↑ https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/2685575/nutrients
- ↑ https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/2710826/nutrients
- ↑ https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/2346401/nutrients
- ↑ https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/747447/nutrients
- ↑ https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/2710823/nutrients
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/high-protein-foods-the-best-protein-sources-to-include-in-a-healthy-diet
- ↑ Jalpa Sheth. Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist. Expert Interview
- ↑ Monica Morris. ACE Certified Personal Trainer. Expert Interview
- ↑ Alex Jamal. Personal Trainer and Nutritionist. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/best-and-worst-sources-of-protein
- ↑ Melody Sayers, MS, RD, NASM-CPT. Registered Dietician & Personal Trainer. Expert Interview
- ↑ Melody Sayers, MS, RD, NASM-CPT. Registered Dietician & Personal Trainer. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5828430/
- ↑ Monica Morris. ACE Certified Personal Trainer. Expert Interview
- ↑ Monica Morris. ACE Certified Personal Trainer. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/does-order-which-you-eat-food-matter
- ↑ https://health.osu.edu/wellness/exercise-and-nutrition/veggies-first-carbs-last
- ↑ Dee Dine. Nutrition & Vegan Food Specialist. Expert Interview
- ↑ Alex Jamal. Personal Trainer and Nutritionist. Expert Interview
- ↑ Monica Morris. Certified Personal Trainer. Expert Interview
- ↑ Dee Dine. Nutrition & Vegan Food Specialist. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/healthy-eating-budget
- ↑ Jalpa Sheth. Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist. Expert Interview
- ↑ John Diaz. Personal Trainer. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/healthy-eating-plate/
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/when-it-comes-to-protein-how-much-is-too-much
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-many-calories-a-day-should-i-eat
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss/art-20047752
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/is-it-healthy-to-eat-eggs-every-day
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/high-protein-foods-the-best-protein-sources-to-include-in-a-healthy-diet