15 Foods to Incorporate for a High-Protein Diet

6. Quinoa

Quinoa has risen to become one of the most popular exotic grains of our time. Native to the Andes mountains in Bolivia, Chile, and Peru, people in these regions have consumed the food for thousands of years. Quinoa is technically a seed, not a grain. While most plant products contain only some of the essential amino acids, quinoa is one of the only complete vegetarian proteins. One hundred grams of cooked quinoa provides 4.4 grams of protein.

Perhaps the best thing about quinoa is that it's easy to sub in for rice or pasta in just about any dish. It has a consistency similar to cous cous but packs way more of a nutritional punch than this tiny pasta. It keeps well in the fridge, so it's ideal for make-ahead meals to tossing into any salad to up its benefits at the last minute.