Think of the giant portions of meat

High-Protein Foods

 Poultry

Eggs

Fish

Shellfish

Legumes

Nuts and Seeds 

 think of the last time you were asked, “What’s for dinner?”
Even if the menu included a balanced meal of green salad, glazed carrots, brown rice, and a small lean steak, many people would respond, “We’re having steak.”

So important is the idea of meat — or protein of any kind — that it’s considered a meal in and of itself.
 Protein is an important nutrient in the diet. That’s undisputed. The trouble is that most Americans consume too much of it, particularly animal-based proteins, which are high in saturated fat and cholesterol, both of which are linked to cardiovascular disease. Most people need just 5 to 6 ounces a day of high-protein foods. That may sound like a lot, but it isn’t. A 2- to 3-ounce serving of meat is about the size of a deck of cards.

Now think of the giant portions of meat and other high-protein foods often served at restaurants. Eating two to three times as much protein as you need in a day can easily be accomplished in just one restaurant meal.