If you’re looking to increase the amount of protein in your diet, fish and meat are probably the first foodstuffs that spring to mind. While both meat and fish are rich in protein, there are other things that you can add to your diet to increase the amount of protein you are getting, including some high protein fruits.
Although many high protein fruits exist, many people don’t see fruit as a source of protein. As well as protein, high protein fruits contain sugar, vitamins, minerals, beta carotene and antioxidants which, according to nutritional experts, mean that high protein fruits are a perfect balance of amino acids and proteins.
Eating high protein fruits is especially important for vegetarians, all of whose protein comes solely from vegetables and fruits. Even if you’re not a vegetarian, eating lots of high protein fruits high is a good way of maintaining your general health. Ideally, you should balance high protein fruits, vegetables and meat in your diet to give your body the essential nutrients it needs.
Apples are a rich source of protein and can be eaten raw or cooked, with or without their skins on. A large apple contains 0.55 grams of protein. When sliced with the skin on, a cup of apples will give you 0.29 grams of protein.
Apricot is another of the high protein fruits. A fresh apricot contains 0.49 grams of protein and when sliced, yields 2.31 grams per cup. A dried apricot has just as much protein as a fresh one.
Blueberries, another of the high protein fruits, is available in raw, sweetened, unsweetened and syrup form. Fifty blueberries contain about 0.50 grams protein or 1.07 grams per cup.
Other high protein fruits include dates, figs, passion fruit, tangerine, avocado, banana, cherries, grapefruit, kiwi fruit, mango, lemon, nectarines, oranges, pears, peaches, pineapple, prunes, plums, raspberries, raisins, strawberries and watermelon.
High protein fruits help maintain the condition of your skin and hair. You can prepare them as mixed fruit salads, juices, shakes or smoothies. High protein fruits contain hardly any fat and are therefore ideal for people diagnosed with heart or cardiovascular problems.