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Protein
Established research area
A macronutrient made of amino acids that serves as a building block for muscle, enzymes, and other tissues. Found in meat, fish, eggs, dairy, beans, and soy.
Often discussed in relation to
Commonly noted
- Commonly noted
- Protein is a macronutrient made of amino acids; the body uses it as a building block for muscle, enzymes, hormones, skin, and other tissues, and can also draw on it for energy.
- Low intake
- Very low protein intake is commonly discussed in relation to muscle loss and slow recovery, though a shortfall is uncommon on a typical varied diet.
Source: MedlinePlus
Reference intakes
General reference figures for a typical adult, not a personal target.
- rdaadult_female46 gDRI/NASEM
- rdaadult_male56 gDRI/NASEM
Foods and products containing it
Greek yogurtFoodAlmond butterFoodPea proteinSupplementNutsFoodBeef proteinSupplementAnchoviesFoodSunflower seedsFoodNattoFoodGoudaFoodCouscousFoodPeanutsFoodPorkFoodChickenFoodSea bassFoodMackerelFoodSoy proteinSupplementParmesanFoodCheddar cheeseFoodBlue cheeseFoodOatsFoodDuckFoodTunaFoodProtein barFoodSoy milkFoodChickpeasFoodManchegoFoodChicken liverFoodBisonFoodOctopusFoodBuckwheatFoodTofu skin (yuba)FoodSpirulinaSupplementDoenjangFoodBone brothDrinkLambFoodScallopsFoodCowpeas (black-eyed peas)FoodBaconFoodFeta cheeseFoodCashewsFoodOystersFoodSnapperFoodPastaFoodQuarkFoodCottage cheeseFoodCassava leafFoodCasein proteinSupplementMeal replacement shakeSupplementGoat cheeseFoodProtein powderSupplementEgusi seedsFoodTofuFoodSkyrFoodRicottaFoodTrail mixFoodShrimpFoodVenisonFoodPumpkin seedsFoodNutritional yeastSupplementGruyèreFoodMilkDrinkFava beansFoodMoringa (drumstick)FoodCentury eggFoodBeef kidneyFoodWheat flourFoodBrazil nutsFoodHemp seedsFoodTurkeyFoodChia seedsFoodBCAA (supplement)SupplementMung beansFoodHamFoodSardinesFoodBambara groundnutFoodGreen peasFoodGround beefFoodPaneerFoodBeefFoodSpeltFoodRabbitFoodBulgurFoodSorghumFoodCrabFoodQuinoaFoodYardlong beansFoodEggsFoodKatsuobushi (dried bonito flakes)FoodRed lentils (masoor)FoodMozzarellaFoodTilapiaFoodHummusFoodPlant protein powderSupplementKidney beansFoodRoyal jellySupplementChicken breastFoodKefirDrinkMixed nutsFoodJob's tears (coix)FoodBlack beansFoodMass gainerSupplementCodFoodChicken thighFoodBamboo shootsFoodBeef liverFoodSoybean sprouts (kongnamul)FoodColostrumSupplementSoybeansFoodMusselsFoodPinto beansFoodProvoloneFoodWhole-wheat breadFoodTempehFoodKoya-dofu (freeze-dried tofu)FoodPistachiosFoodKinako (roasted soy flour)FoodFarroFoodShrimp pasteFoodLassiDrinkFonioFoodLobsterFoodClamsFoodDuck eggFoodEdamameFoodEAA (supplement)SupplementWalnutsFoodSugar snap peasFoodTeffFoodSalad chickenFoodHalloumiFoodFlaxseedFoodYogurtFoodBrieFoodSoba (buckwheat noodles)FoodQuail eggFoodMisoFoodGoat meatFoodEgg white proteinSupplementEelFoodCashew butterFoodCaviar (fish roe)FoodCheeseFoodPecorinoFoodTahiniFoodTroutFoodCatfishFoodHerringFoodLabnehFoodWhey protein (supplement)SupplementAmaranth (grain)FoodFortified yogurt (with vitamin D)FoodPeanut butterFoodHazelnutsFoodButtermilkFoodFreekehFoodAyranDrinkPollockFoodRice proteinSupplementSquidFoodFermented tofu (furu)FoodSwiss cheeseFoodLentilsFoodQuailFoodAlmondsFoodEuglenaSupplementHemp proteinSupplementChlorella (supplement)SupplementSalmonFoodCannellini beansFoodHalibutFoodAdzuki beansFoodLotus seedFood