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The Protein Content of Common Foods

The best way to get the protein your body needs is from food.  Once you have determined how much protein your body needs, it’s time to determine the best food sources. 

Plant-Based Sources

Protein Content (g)

Tempeh (4 oz.)

17-21

Tofu, firm (½ cup)

10

Soymilk, plain (8 oz.)

10

Soybeans, black, cooked (½  cup)

14

Soybeans, green, cooked (½  cup)

11

Peanut butter, chunky (2 TBSP)

8

Kidney beans, cooked (½  cup)

8

Black beans, cooked (½ cup)

8

Chick-peas, cooked (½ cup)

8

Hummus (¼ cup)

5

Refried beans, cooked (½ cup)

8

Pinto beans, cooked (½ cup)

7

Lima beans, cooked (½ cup)

5

Peanuts (½ cup)

19

Almonds (½ cup)

15

Pine Nuts (½ cup)

15

Cashews (½ cup)

10

Sunflower Seeds (½ cup)

13

Walnuts (½ cup)

10

Flax Seeds, ground (2 TBSP)

4

Wheat Germ (2 TBSP)

4

Whole Wheat bread (1 oz. Slice)

3

Oatmeal, instant, cooked (1 cup)

6

Broccoli (1 cup)

5

Corn (1 cup)

5

Rice, white (1 cup)

2.5

Rice, brown (1 cup)

4.5

Pasta, cooked (1 cup)

6.5

 

Animal-Based Sources

Protein Content (g)

Chicken, boneless, cooked (3 oz.)

27

Turkey, roasted (3 oz.)

25

Ground Turkey, cooked (3 oz.)

23

Roast Beef, lean, cooked (3 oz.)

24

Ground Beef, lean, cooked (3 oz.)

24

Beef Sirloin, cooked (3 oz.)

24

Pork, roast, trimmed (3 oz.)

25

Ham, cooked (3 oz.)

21

Tuna, canned in water (3 oz.)

23

Tuna, fresh, cooked (3 oz.)

26

Yogurt, low-fat, plain (8 oz.)

12

Frozen Yogurt (½ cup)

2.5

Milk (8 oz.)

8

Cheese (1 oz.)

7

Cream Cheese (2 TBSP)

4

Egg (1 medium)

6

Egg White (1)

3.5

Egg Substitute (¼ cup)

6

Cottage Cheese ( ½ cup)

14

Cod, cooked (3 oz.)

20

Salmon (3 oz.)

22

Shrimp, boiled (3 oz.)

21

Lobster, baked or broiled (3 oz.)

17

Ice Milk, soft-serve (1 cup)

10

Sources:  Health Canada, Nutrient Value of Some Common Foods (1999);  Tufts University School of Medicine; Harvard University; USDA National Nutrient Data Bank