In bodybuilding, nutrition is of utmost importance and protein is one of the most essential foods you need to build muscle. Protein is made up of amino acids which your muscles need to grow bigger and stronger. Here is a list of some of the best protein foods for bodybuilding:

Eggs

Eggs are first on the list because for me, eggs are the ultimate protein foods. Inexpensive and versatile, eggs have one of the highest biological values(BV) of all proteins. The BV indicates how fast the protein is absorbed and utilized by your muscles. One large egg provides 6-7 grams of high-quality protein. If you can get free range organic eggs, go for it as they contain omega-3 essential fatty acids. Eggs can be eaten boiled, scrambled, poached, fried, omelette and so on.

Skinless Chicken/Turkey Breast

Skinless chicken or turkey breast are some of the leanest cuts of meat you'll find and they are really good for bodybuilding. Packed with loads of protein, they are simply a MUST in your diet and they are actually the most consumed protein in bodybuilding. You don't need to force yourself to eat bland chicken or turkey breast, you can definitely spice it up with your own seasonings and marinade. The best way to eat them is when their flesh is still moist, so be careful not to overcook as they tend to dry out fast since they are lean.

Lean Beef

Beef has a bad reputation as a protein food because many people associate beef to being fatty. The truth is it depends on the cuts. If you go for a cut like sirloin or tenderloin, it's really lean. Beef is packed with protein, creatine, zinc and many vitamins. Beef can get quite expensive depending on the cuts and if you're on budget, you can try lean ground beef as a cheaper solution.

Lean Pork

If there is one protein food which is underrated in bodybuilding, it's definitely pork. Just like beef, pork is considered a fatty meat but to a higher degree, no wonder many bodybuilders stay away from pork. But the truth is pork can be included in your diet at times provided you choose the leanest cut that is the pork tenderloin. In 100 grams of raw pork loin, there are only 3 grams of fat. Pork tenderloin is juicy, succulent, tender, lean yet affordable and versatile. Just because a cut of meat is fattier than others doesn't mean you should totally exclude it from your diet.

Tuna

I usually go to bodybuilding forums and one of the protein foods most talked about is tuna. I think one of the main reasons is because tuna ie the canned version is pretty cheap but packed with a high amount of protein. Heck, a single can of tuna can provide at least 26 grams of protein. While a lot of people eat tuna straight from the can, you can get creative with them like making a tuna salad, tuna burger or tuna omelette.

Salmon

I believe salmon is one of the best protein foods for bodybuilding for two major reasons. Firstly, salmon is loaded with protein, secondly, it's also rich in omega-3 fats. If you didn't know, a bodybuilding nutrition isn't complete without the addition of healthy fats like omega-3 fats, so by eating salmon, you're actually getting the best of both worlds. Some of the ways you can buy salmon are fresh, frozen and canned.

Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is highly favored as a protein source due to its high casein protein level and low fat content. Due to its slow digestibility, it's greatly used by bodybuilders prebed to keep their bodies anabolic during sleep.

Greek Yogurt

Also known as strained yogurt, Greek yogurt is higher in protein and lower in fat and sugar than regular yogurts. There are several types of Greek yogurt and if you're looking for a healthier choice, go for the Non Fat and Unflavored ones.

Whey Protein

Whey protein needs no introduction as it's the most popular protein source for bodybuilders. Whey protein is found in a lot of protein supplements on the market and is one of the most used protein around the world. Whey is commonly used post-workout whereby you need fast-acting protein for muscle repair and rebuild. If you're looking for a whey protein, opt for a whey protein isolate like Optimum Gold Standard 100% Whey.