By now you’ve probably heard that protein is an important nutrient to eat every day. Putting a few high-protein dinners on your weekly menu is one great way to help make getting enough daily intake a little easier, no matter what else the day throws at you.
While total protein needs vary widely from person to person, as SELF has previously reported, a decent baseline is the recommended daily allowance (RDA): 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. (For a 150-pound person, for instance, that’s around 54 grams of protein a day.)
It’s also important to note that experts do say it’s best to have some protein with every meal, rather than loading it all up in one sitting. (Keeping protein-rich snacks on hand is a great idea too.) As SELF has reported, eating protein throughout the day can help keep your energy levels consistent. Plus, including a variety of protein-rich foods in your diet means you’re getting other important vitamins and nutrients—like fatty acids from seafood or fiber from beans—at the same time, SELF has reported.
High-protein dinners in particular can also help keep you feeing satisfied and full so that your stomach doesn’t start growling right before you climb into bed. (That’s always a dilemma for me, personally—I know if I eat too late, my stomach will feel wonky and I’ll have trouble sleeping, but I don’t want to go to bed hangry either.)
The high-protein dinners below each contain at least 15 grams of protein in a single serving, with most coming in above 20 or 30. Many of these recipes are also filled with things like veggies, whole grains, and plant oils, so they’re full of complex carbs and fat for a balanced dinner. From rich and cheesy pastas to quickie tacos to the speediest stir-fries, there’s sure to be a high-protein dinner here for whatever you’re craving.