High-Protein Diet Food Selection Guide

Foods Allowed for a Healthy High-Protein Diet

Protein-rich Foods

For Vegetarians

• All legumes preferably those with skin and membrane
• Vegetarian meat alternatives like hard soybean cheese/curd (tokwa), gluten, vegemeat, vegesausage

Note: To have complete protein, combine legumes or beans + cereals or other protein-rich foods like milk and egg

For Non-Vegetarians

• All fish, preferably those with scales and fins
• Lean meat, preferably beef, poultry, veal

Carbohydrates

• All, preferably complex and unrefined

Fruits

• All, preferably with seeds, akin, and membrane

Vegetables

• All, preferably fresh with seeds and membrane 

• Dark green leafy and yellow vegetables

Fat-rich Foods

• Vegetable oil (sesame and nut oils)

Beverages

• Fresh fruit juices 

• Whole milk, skim milk, soymilk 

• High-protein (formula) drinks

Desserts

• Geerlig’s cheese (taho) 

• Gelatin 

• Candied beans 

• Sweetened legumes 

• Peanut brittle

Foods NOT Allowed

Protein-rich Foods

• None

Carbohydrates

• None

Fruits and Vegetables

• None

Fat-rich Foods

• Animal fat

Beverages

• Coffee, tea 

• Cola drinks 

• Alcoholic beverages

Note: For more Tips on Healthy High-Protein Diet See High-Protein Diet

Reference: Healing Wonders of Diet Effective Guide to Diet Therapy p.112 © 2003 Philippine Publishing House ISBN 971-581-013-6

High-Protein Diet

A high-protein diet calls for 1.5 g of protein per kilogram ideal body weight (normal value = 1.12 to 1.8 g/kg IBW). This diet is prescribed for growth and repair such as in pregnancy, tissue and bone regeneration, inflammatory conditions and injury.

Consider not only the amount of protein but its quality as well. As much as possible include protein-rich foods of high biologic value because their proteins are efficiently digested, absorbed and used by the human body. These include egg, meat, poultry, milk, soybeans, beans, and cereal as well as legume combinations like rice and mung (mongo) beans, soy protein + wheat protein = vegemeat products. etc.


This dietary management is good for Cancer, Infection, Anemia.

Some Tips for a High-protein Diet

• Eat enough serving of protein-rich foods daily.

• Drink at least one glass of milk daily.

• Always eat a balanced diet plus extra protein-rich foods.

• Drink 6 to 8 (at least) glasses of water daily, in between meals. See The Importance of Water.

• Avoid coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks.

• Eat 3 good meals daily. This is better than small frequent meals or eating in between meals.

• Eat regularly.

• Eat a heavy breakfast, a moderate lunch, and a light supper.

• Eat a right kind of food, at the right interval, in the right amount, and in the right frame of mind.

• Have at least 5-hour interval between meals for digestion to be efficient. Last meal of the day should be taken at least 3 hours before sleeping.

• Eat at least one serving of dark green leafy vegetables a day.

• Eat more unrefined, unprocessed foods.

• Include a variety of foods from meal to meal.

• Take time to enjoy your food. Do not hurry.

Note: For List of Foods which are Allowed and Not Allowed for High-Protein Diet See High-Protein Diet Food Selection Guide

Reference: Healing Wonders of Diet Effective Guide to Diet Therapy p.109-110 © 2003 Philippine Publishing House ISBN 971-581-013-6