Lean Protein Sources for a Healthy Diet

Lean protein is a key part of any healthy diet. Your body needs protein in order to build and maintain muscle, but many protein sources like eggs and cheese are high in fat and cholesterol, which spells trouble for your heart and for your waistline. Luckily, with this guide to the best lean protein sources for a healthy diet, you can get the healthy protein you need without the unhealthy cholesterol and fat that you don’t. Read on, and get to know the top lean protein sources.

Beans
The best way to get your daily allotment of lean protein is to eat at least one meal that includes a dish made with beans. Beans are an important part of a healthy diet because they’re high protein and high fiber, which is great for your metabolism, and they’re very low in fat and cholesterol, which is great for your heart. Plus, beans are inexpensive, so they make it possible to get plenty of lean protein even if you’re eating on a tight budget. However, not every way to prepare beans is part of a healthy diet. Healthy ways to prepare beans are light on fats like oil or butter, so skip refried beans, and avoid dressing-drenched three bean salad. Likewise, avoid any bean dish that is high in sugar, so skip the baked beans simmered in a sweet, molasses-based sauce. For a main dish, great ways to get your beans include classic Mexican dishes like chili or enchiladas (light on the cheese), bean soups and stews. For a quick snack, try some hummus or black bean dip. To get an extra splash of lean protein at dinner, throw a handful of chickpeas or kidney beans into your green salad. For variety, try some peas, which contain the same kind of lean protein as beans!