LeanWithGLP › High-Protein Foods

High-Protein Foods for GLP-1 Users

Protein and calories per realistic serving — ranked by how efficiently each food delivers protein when appetite is scarce.

Lean meats & fish

FoodProteinCaloriesCal per g protein
Chicken breast, 5 oz cooked44 g2335.3
Turkey breast, 5 oz cooked42 g2135.1
Lean ground beef (93/7), 5 oz cooked36 g2456.8
Salmon, 5 oz cooked36 g2928.1
Tuna, 1 can (5 oz drained)30 g1404.7
Shrimp, 5 oz cooked32 g1504.7

Dairy & eggs

FoodProteinCaloriesCal per g protein
Greek yogurt (nonfat), 1 cup23 g1305.7
Cottage cheese (2%), 1 cup24 g1807.5
Eggs, 3 large19 g21511.3
Egg whites, 1 cup26 g1254.8
Skyr, 1 cup22 g1205.5

Convenient / no-cook

FoodProteinCaloriesCal per g protein
Whey protein, 1 scoop25 g1204.8
Protein shake (ready-made)30 g1605.3
Beef jerky, 1 oz10 g808.0
String cheese, 2 sticks14 g16011.4
Edamame, 1 cup shelled18 g19010.6
Tofu (firm), 6 oz17 g1458.5
See what your per-meal target looks like in real food
💡 With a suppressed appetite, every bite has a job. Prioritize foods under ~8 calories per gram of protein and save "extras" for after the protein anchor is eaten.

FAQ

What does 'calories per gram of protein' mean?
It's an efficiency score — how many calories you spend to get each gram of protein. Lower is better when appetite is limited: egg whites (~4.8) and tuna (~4.7) are extremely efficient, while nuts (~28) are poor protein sources despite their healthy image.
What are the easiest proteins when I feel nauseated?
Cold and low-odor foods usually go down easiest: Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, protein shakes, skyr, and chilled rotisserie chicken. Hot, greasy or strongly aromatic foods tend to be the worst tolerated on GLP-1s.
Do protein shakes count the same as food?
For hitting your protein number, yes — whey and other complete proteins are as effective for muscle retention. Whole foods bring extra micronutrients and fiber, so use shakes to close the gap, not as the entire plan.

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Educational content only — not medical advice. Always work with your prescribing clinician or a registered dietitian when adjusting nutrition on a GLP-1 medication.