Meat & poultry
Meat and poultry are among the richest sources of complete protein, meaning they supply all the essential amino acids your body can't make itself. They're also the most reliable dietary source of vitamin B12 and highly absorbable "haem" iron, along with zinc — nutrients that are harder to get from plants alone.
The nutrition varies enormously by cut and preparation. A skinless chicken breast is one of the leanest high-protein foods available; a well-marbled steak or pork belly carries several times the fat and calories for the same weight. Poultry is generally leaner than red meat, and trimming visible fat and skin makes a real difference. Processed meats — bacon, sausages, deli slices — add sodium and preservatives, which is why health guidance treats them differently from fresh cuts.
Use the rankings to compare the leanest, highest-protein options, and tap any cut for its full profile per 100 g.