7 Top Healthy Protein-Rich Foods

Nuts are a fatty food high in protein with a delicious crunch that can be a healthful addition to your diet. Almonds, peanuts, pistachios, walnuts and cashews all provide a range of nutrients and high protein levels that taste delicious.

Almonds in particular are a good choice, Proctor says.

• A 1-ounce (1/4 cup) serving of almonds has 6 grams of protein.

Almonds are also high in “heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fat. This type of fat helps reduce the risk of heart disease and may help lower LDL cholesterol,” that’s the “bad” cholesterol that’s been implicated in heart disease.

What’s more, Proctor notes that “the fat in almonds also helps our bodies absorb other fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A, D, E and K.”

And almonds are portable and easy to have on hand when you need them. “You can throw them in your purse or keep them at your desk.

“For a quick snack, a few nuts can do the trick, and you get some healthy fats along with the protein,” Souffront says.

Just be careful if you’re adding nuts to your diet, as they contain high levels of fat and thus are high in calories, Proctor says. Almonds contain about 170 calories per ounce, “so it’s important to watch portion sizes for weight maintenance.” Don’t overdo it.