Your Visual Guide to Protein: How to Achieve a Daily Serving of Protein by Diet (2024)

Protein is having its moment in the health world right now, and for good reason. It's essential for our bodies to function properly. Protein helps regulate hormones, transports molecules, acts as an enzyme for chemical reactions and more. Getting enough protein each day is crucial.

Everyone has different dietary requirements, but for the average person, 100 grams of protein daily is ideal. Keep in mind that if you're active, you may need more protein in your diet.

This visual guide shows what 100 grams of protein look like whether you follow a vegan, vegetarian or omnivore diet.Use it to put your daily protein needs into perspective.

The grams were calculated by taking the information from the nutrition facts label on packaged items and weighing them when necessary. The gram amounts listed in this guide are specific to the products used for this experiment, so your numbers may vary if you look at a different brand of bread or yogurt.

100 grams of protein for omnivores

Your Visual Guide to Protein: How to Achieve a Daily Serving of Protein by Diet (2)

If you don't have any dietary restrictions, eating 100 grams of protein per day should be pretty easy. Here's one way to do it:

  • Greek yogurt (15 grams of protein)
  • Beef sausage (14 grams)
  • 1 ounce of mixed nuts (5 grams)
  • Two eggs (12 grams)
  • Snack cheese (5 grams)
  • Four slices (2 ounces) of deli ham (10 grams)
  • Two slices of rye bread (10 grams)
  • ½ cup of rolled oats (5 grams)
  • One can of tuna (27 grams)

Everything pictured above comes to 103 grams, which puts you slightly over the 100-gram goal.

100 grams of animal protein

Your Visual Guide to Protein: How to Achieve a Daily Serving of Protein by Diet (3)

As you can see, getting 100 grams of protein from animal products doesn't take much. This photo shows:

  • Four eggs (24 grams of protein)
  • Three beef meatballs (15 grams)
  • Two slices (2 ounces) of turkey bacon (10 grams)
  • 3 ounces of turkey breast (24 grams)
  • One can of tuna (27 grams)

This amounts to a perfect 100. If you ate all of this in a day, plus bread and other nonanimal products, you would easily surpass 100 grams of protein in a day.

100 grams of protein for vegetarians

Your Visual Guide to Protein: How to Achieve a Daily Serving of Protein by Diet (4)

For vegetarians, 100 grams of protein might look like:

  • Four eggs (24 grams of protein)
  • ½ cup of rolled oats (5 grams)
  • Two tablespoons of peanut butter (7 grams)
  • One tablespoon of hemp seeds (4 grams)
  • ¼ cup of protein granola (10 grams)
  • One scoop of plant-based protein powder (20 grams)
  • Two snack cheeses (10 grams)
  • A single-serve Greek yogurt (15 grams)

This actually comes out to 99 grams of protein, which is pretty close and still a great number to hit for a day.

100 grams of vegan protein

Your Visual Guide to Protein: How to Achieve a Daily Serving of Protein by Diet (5)

What you see isn't totally what you get with this photo. In the photo, you see:

  • ¼ cup of protein granola (10 grams of protein)
  • One scoop of plant-based protein powder (20 grams)
  • 1 ounce of nuts (5 grams)
  • Two tablespoons of peanut butter (7 grams)
  • Two tablespoons of chia seeds (about 10 grams)
  • One tablespoon of hemp seeds (4 grams)
  • Two slices of rye bread (10 grams)
  • A protein granola bar (8 grams)
  • ½ cup of rolled oats (5 grams)

This amounts to 79 grams of protein. If we double up on the mixed nuts, chia seeds and hemp seeds, this brings us to 93 grams of protein. You could add an extra tablespoon of peanut butter or eat a full cup of oats, instead of half a cup, to come closer to that 100-gram goal.

Also, this plate doesn't include any high-protein vegan meat substitutes, such as tofu, tempeh or plant-based meats like the Impossible Burger. Those food sources can make it much easier to get 100 grams of protein than someone who eats a vegan diet.

Your Visual Guide to Protein: How to Achieve a Daily Serving of Protein by Diet (2024)

FAQs

Your Visual Guide to Protein: How to Achieve a Daily Serving of Protein by Diet? ›

Beef, poultry, and pork (as well as milk, cheese, and eggs) can certainly provide high-quality protein, but so can many plant foods — including whole grains, beans and other legumes, nuts, and vegetables. The table below provides some healthier sources of protein.

How do I fulfill my daily protein requirement? ›

Foods that are high in protein that can be part of a healthful diet include:
  1. Lean meats such as chicken, turkey, beef, and pork.
  2. Fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel, anchovies, and trout.
  3. Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt.
  4. Beans, peas, and lentils.
Dec 17, 2023

What is the diet for daily protein intake? ›

Beef, poultry, and pork (as well as milk, cheese, and eggs) can certainly provide high-quality protein, but so can many plant foods — including whole grains, beans and other legumes, nuts, and vegetables. The table below provides some healthier sources of protein.

What is the 30g protein breakfast myth? ›

Protein myth: the body can only absorb 30g protein per meal

According to research, the human body can absorb a virtually unlimited amount of protein.

What do 100 grams of protein look like in a day? ›

100 grams of animal protein

Four eggs (24 grams of protein) Three beef meatballs (15 grams) Two slices (2 ounces) of turkey bacon (10 grams) 3 ounces of turkey breast (24 grams)

What does a daily serving of protein look like? ›

Protein foods (meat, poultry, fish, dry beans and nuts): 5½ oz. per day. Serving sizes = 3 oz. cooked lean meat, poultry or fish; 2 egg whites or 1 egg; ¼ cup cooked beans; 1 tablespoon peanut butter; ½ oz.

What does 5 ounces of protein look like? ›

4-5 ounces of meat = a large chicken breast or fish fillet, or a medium-sized steak or chop (also at least 5-10g of fat) Four ounces of meat is about the size of a deck of cards. 1 ½ cups of low-fat cottage cheese or greek yogurt. 5-6 whole eggs. 4 whole eggs and an ounce of cheese (also 25-30g of fat)

What are the symptoms of a protein deficiency? ›

Protein deficiency can cause symptoms such as swelling, stunted growth, a weakened immune system, skin and hair changes, and bone and muscle loss. The amount of protein you need depends on factors like age and activity levels.

What happens if you don't eat enough protein? ›

Weakness and Fatigue

And over time, a lack of protein can make you lose muscle mass, which in turn cuts your strength, makes it harder to keep your balance, and slows your metabolism. It can also lead to anemia, when your cells don't get enough oxygen, which makes you tired.

What do you eat on an all protein diet? ›

The Best Protein Sources
  • Lean meats.
  • Seafood.
  • Beans.
  • Soy.
  • Low-fat dairy.
  • Eggs.
  • Nuts and seeds.

Does avocado have protein? ›

A 50g serving of fresh avocado contains 1 gram of protein and a whole 5-oz. fresh avocado (3 servings) contains 3 grams of protein. Though fresh avocados do not contain a significant amount of protein, they can be a creamy and delicious addition to a variety of meal plans and menus.

What is a high protein breakfast to lose belly fat? ›

Here are a few examples of high-protein breakfasts that can help you lose weight: Scrambled eggs: with veggies, fried in coconut oil or olive oil. An omelette: with cottage cheese and spinach (my personal favorite). Stir-fried tofu: with kale and dairy-free cheese.

What does 50 grams of protein look like in one meal? ›

50 Grams Per Meal

Some sample meals that add up to 50 grams of protein each include: Breakfast: Two-egg omelet with veggies of your choice and 1 ounce of cheddar. 1 cup of low-fat Greek yogurt with 1/2 cup of raspberries.

Which vegetable is high in protein? ›

Some vegetables that have high amounts of protein include Brussels sprouts, green beans, yellow sweet corn, asparagus, broccoli, and potatoes.

Do oats have protein? ›

Protein. Oats are a good source of quality protein at 11–17% of dry weight, which is higher than most other grains ( 22 ). The major protein in oats — at 80% of the total content — is avenalin, which isn't found in any other grain but is similar to legume proteins. The minor protein avenin is related to wheat gluten.

What does 80 grams of protein look like in a day? ›

80 grams of protein:

4-5 servings (28-32 ounces) of low- or nonfat Greek yogurt, OR. 2 pounds of firm or extra-firm tofu, OR. 13 large eggs, OR. 4 cans of Chicken of the Sea Chunk White Albacore Tuna in Water.

What does 100 grams of protein a day look like? ›

100 grams of animal protein

Four eggs (24 grams of protein) Three beef meatballs (15 grams) Two slices (2 ounces) of turkey bacon (10 grams) 3 ounces of turkey breast (24 grams)

How can I get 30g of protein for breakfast? ›

15 Ideas for Breakfast with 30 Grams of Protein
  1. 1.5 cups of Greek yogurt (opt for unsweetened and add your own toppings)
  2. 1 cup cottage cheese.
  3. 5 large eggs, or 2-3 eggs mixed with extra egg whites.
  4. 5 ounces salmon.
  5. 4 slices of turkey bacon.
  6. 1 cup tofu scramble.
  7. 1 scoop protein powder (can be mixed into a smoothie or oatmeal)
Mar 27, 2024

How do I calculate my daily protein? ›

Method 2: Calculate using your body weight

It doesn't take into account how much muscle mass you have, but it does at least account for differences in body size. Here's how to calculate your protein needs: In pounds: multiply your body weight by 0.7. In kilograms: multiply your body weight by 1.5.

How many scrambled eggs equal 30 grams of protein? ›

Eggs are one of the most popular high-protein breakfast foods and provide essential fats. If you're not interested in the yolks and want to only use the egg white for protein, you'll need about eight of them to yield the same 30 grams of protein.

What is 30g protein within 30 minutes? ›

What is the 30-30-30 rule? The 30-30-30 rule involves eating 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking up, followed by 30 minutes of low-intensity, steady state cardiovascular exercise.

What are 3 examples of an oz of protein? ›

In general, 1 ounce of meat, poultry or fish; 1/4 cup cooked beans, peas or lentils; 1 egg; 1 tablespoon of peanut butter; or 1/2 ounce of nuts or seeds can be considered as 1 ounce-equivalent from the Protein Foods Group.

How do I calculate how much protein I need a day? ›

Here's how to calculate your protein needs:
  1. In pounds: multiply your body weight by 0.7.
  2. In kilograms: multiply your body weight by 1.5.
Jan 23, 2024

What are the best foods to complete protein intake? ›

Which foods are complete proteins? Animal proteins are complete, including meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy. There are also a few plant-based sources of complete protein, including: Quinoa.

What is the ideal protein intake per day? ›

How much protein do you need? Anywhere from 10% to 35% of your calories should come from protein. So if your needs are 2,000 calories, that's 200–700 calories from protein, or 50–175 grams. The recommended dietary allowance to prevent deficiency for an average sedentary adult is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight.

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