Clean protein is one aspect of clean eating, which emphasizes healthy, whole foods over processed, refined varieties. By choosing clean protein sources, you get all the nutritional benefits of foods in their freshest, most natural (or very close-to-natural) state. During the processing of more refined foods, on the other hand, nutrients can be lost, rendering the final products less healthful than the sum of their whole-food parts. There are so many tasty, affordable clean protein sources to choose from. Here’s a look at some of the best, in no particular order. These incredibly nutritious nuts are considered clean because they’re a whole food eaten in their natural form. Beyond their impressive protein profile, almonds deliver essential vitamins and minerals: magnesium, manganese, riboflavin, copper, and vitamin E1, for starters. They’re also rich in healthy fats and fiber, helping to keep you sated and contributing to good digestive health. Eating almonds has been shown to decrease inflammation and oxidative stress1, both of which contribute to the risk of developing chronic diseases ranging from cancer to heart disease. This clean protein source provides athletes with an endurance boost, too, according to research1. Try them in these vegan, gluten-free spiced almond squares. This protein-rich food is also known as blue-green algae (it’s technically a bacteria, though). Once harvested, spirulina is freeze-dried and sold in powder form, so it’s only minimally processed. It contains iron and other essential minerals as well as protein, vitamins, antioxidants, and gamma-linoleic acid, a beneficial fatty acid. Spirulina is considered a complete protein (delivering all nine of the essential amino acids the body can’t produce) and a good source of vitamin B12. The latter is especially important for vegans and vegetarians because it can be a challenge to get enough B12 without eating animal foods. In some studies, spirulina has lowered “bad” cholesterol and raised “good” cholesterol, which may decrease the risk of heart disease. Sip the benefits with this ultimate spirulina smoothie. Fish and seafood are off the charts when it comes to protein, and they’re typically high in omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA) associated with protection against heart disease2. Eating these foods is also linked to improved fetal and infant development2, among other benefits. Unlike a lot of farmed fish (which typically eat processed fish feed), wild fish thrive on a diet of smaller wild fish that are high in beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, making this clean protein source naturally more nutritious. (Both farmed and wild are generally high in omega-3s, though.) Here’s another reason to choose wild: Fish feed used in aquaculture (fish farming) often contains antibiotics designed to stave off infections in crowded conditions. Residues of these drugs could end up in our bodies when we eat farmed fish, potentially resulting in adverse drug reactions or antibiotic-resistant bacteria3. Choose wild fish to play it safe, and savor this clean-protein source in healthy fish tacos you can make at home. This whole-food seed is nutrient-dense and can be used like whole grains. All you have to do is cook it. It’s rich in protein and fiber, gluten-free4, and higher in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, and other nutrients than most grains. Quinoa can reduce blood triglycerides and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (associated with the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes) in overweight and obese people, according to research5. Incorporate it into healthy bowls for a protein pick-me-up at lunch or dinner. Hens naturally need to move around, beyond the confines of tiny, claustrophobic cages that are commonplace in industrial farming. Cage-free hens have room to spread their wings and walk around and can lay their eggs in nests. (Cage-free doesn’t guarantee cruelty-free, but it’s a step in the right direction.) Fortunately, many major food retailers and restaurant chains have made the switch to cage-free eggs for animal-welfare reasons, so they’re easy to find. Eggs contain abundant protein that’s easy to absorb, and their fatty acids can benefit heart health6. They also contain vitamins and minerals6 the body needs to make energy, metabolize protein, repair tissue, and fend off inflammation and free radical damage. Eggs are rich in choline, too, which helps keep the brain healthy. Start your day with these healthy egg breakfast recipes. Hulled hemp seeds, called hemp hearts, are a whole food you can easily use to bump up the protein in your smoothies, oatmeal, and savory dishes. They’re high in minerals (iron, magnesium, zinc, and more), along with fiber, vitamin E, and potassium. These potent seeds also offer a perfect balance of omega-6 and omega-3 EFAs, which we need for heart and brain health, immune system support, energy production, and other healthy functioning. Try making your own hemp milk with them to add to smoothies, oatmeal, coffee, and more. These versatile whole-food seeds may be tiny, but they’re big on protein and high in fiber to help keep you regular and potentially keep you feeling full longer7. Chia seeds are considered a complete protein, providing all the essential amino acids the body can’t make on its own. And they deliver heart-healthy omega-3s, minerals (including calcium), vitamins, and other antioxidants that protect cells from oxidative damage associated with all kinds of diseases. Use them to make jam, energy bites, and more. This protein-packed powder has made waves the last few years as more and more people search for skin and gut-healing solutions. Collagen, sold commercially as a powder or capsule supplement, is an animal-based protein that can be mixed into lattes, baked into treats, blended in smoothies, and more. It’s an easy way to boost your protein intake without having to eat another chicken breast or cup of quinoa—it’s as easy as stirring a scoop into your coffee! Beyond its many health benefits, collagen has been praised for its anti-aging capabilities. Collagen, after all, is a protein that our body produces—its the building block for healthy hair, nails, skin, joints, and bones—and unfortunately, it’s something our body produces less and less as we get older. Taking collagen has been shown to improve skin health and soften facial lines, helping to mitigate the effects of aging. For the full lowdown on collagen and what kind you should take, look no further than here. Lentils come in many varieties, and they’re considered a clean protein because they’re consumed as a whole food. These little legumes are high in protein and complex carbohydrates, which is great for balanced blood sugar and sustained energy. They also contain fiber that feeds good bacteria in the gut and may even lower total and LDL cholesterol8 (often called “bad” cholesterol). Lentils are rich in iron and folic acid, to boot. Try this nutritious lentil and vegetable soup to increase your intake. Chicken is incredibly high in protein, and choosing organic over conventionally raised birds reduces your exposure to potentially harmful hormones and antibiotics. Chickens fed an organic diet are allowed to grow naturally and aren’t given any health-compromising substances. As a result, the people eating them aren’t exposed either. Find out which organic cuts of chicken are most affordable, then try this sheet-pan-roasted chicken recipe. High-quality yogurts are rich in protein and simply made and contain just a few familiar ingredients. Greek yogurt is a healthier choice than conventional varieties because the straining method used to make it results in a thicker texture and higher protein content than conventional yogurt. Greek and Icelandic yogurt offer calcium to support bone health, along with probiotic bacteria that feed our “good” gut microbes to keep us healthy. Read labels to find products touting “live, active culture,” and shy away from yogurt with lots of added sugar (none is best). Yogurt is great for refueling after a workout because protein can help heal and build muscle after exercise. This dairy food with the curdy texture fell out of favor after its heyday as a diet food several decades back. But cottage cheese is making a comeback—and for good reason. It’s an impressive source of clean protein as well as calcium for bone and teeth health. It’s made with just a few wholesome ingredients and is low in sugar, unlike a lot of flavored yogurts. Seek out cultured varieties to get health-promoting probiotics with your protein, and start your day off right with these gluten-free protein pancakes. Tempeh is made from minimally processed soybeans that have been fermented. It’s a nutrient-dense food, providing complete protein (all nine essential acids the body needs), plus iron, calcium, and B vitamins. This clean protein with the nutty flavor is a healthier choice than tofu because its nutrients are better absorbed as a result of fermentation. Tempeh also contains prebiotic fiber that feeds good gut bacteria, improving gut health and reducing inflammation in the body. Non-GMO, organic varieties are best. Serve up more clean protein with this sesame tempeh and broccoli dish. If you’re going to eat meat, grass-fed beef is a decent clean-protein choice. (It’s a good source of iron, too.) Grass-fed is better for cows because they can—you guessed it—graze on grass, which their stomachs are designed to digest, instead of the grain-heavy diet fed to conventionally raised cattle. The latter can lead to increased gas, discomfort, and infections in the animals, thereby increasing the need for antibiotics. (Who’s hungry?) Not surprisingly, what cows eat affects the diets of the people who eat them as well. Choosing grass-fed beef reduces the likelihood of inadvertently taking in antibiotics that could give rise to antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the body and cause adverse reactions in some people. On the nutrition front, research9 has shown that “grass-based diets can significantly improve the fatty acid (FA) composition and antioxidant content of beef.” That’s good news because the omega-3 fatty acid found in beef called Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) has been found to resolve chronic inflammation, reduce platelet aggregation (helping to avoid blood clots), and improve fat metabolism in various studies10. A grass diet also increases levels of cancer-fighting antioxidants and vitamin A and E precursors9 (which go on to form those vitamins) in beef. Try grass-fed beef in this bell pepper taco skillet recipe. So, go on, reach for that handful of nuts, organic chicken breast or pea protein smoothie to start your day, keep you going, or help you recover from a killer workout. Odds are you won’t even miss that highly refined bar with all the ingredients you can’t pronounce. Looking for more protein ideas? Check out our articles on how to get 80 grams of meat-free protein a day and the best vegan and vegetarian sources of protein.
