High-Protein Diet

These instructions are for patients who are recommended to increase protein.

Important information:

• Protein is a nutrient found in many foods. Foods that come from animals are usually good sources of protein. Some plant foods, such as soy, nuts, lentils, beans, and seeds, are also good sources of protein.

• Most children are able to meet their protein needs by eating a regular diet. However, some children require a high-protein diet due to certain medical conditions.

• Some children have trouble meeting their protein needs with food alone. A healthcare provider may recommend a supplement.

• A standard pediatric protein drink contains about 7 grams of protein in an 8-ounce serving.

• A dietitian will tell you how many grams of protein is needed each day.

Instructions for adding protein to meals and snacks:

• Keep hard-boiled eggs in the refrigerator. Eat as a snack or chop and add to salads, casseroles, soups and vegetables.

• Add cooked meats to soups, casseroles, salads and omelets.

• Sprinkle seeds or nuts on desserts like fruit, ice cream, pudding and custard. Also serve on vegetables, salads and pastas.

• Spread nut or seed butters on toast and fruit or blend in a shake.

• Add beans and peas to salads, soups, casseroles and vegetable dishes.

• Use milk in place of water for hot cereal, soup, smoothies, shakes, and hot chocolate.

• Add powdered milk to cream soups, mashed potatoes, puddings and casseroles.

• Include yogurt or cottage cheese in recipes for muffins, pancakes, etc.

• Blend milk, yogurt and nut butters into smoothies.

• Eat cheese on toast or with crackers.

Excellent Food Sources of Protein (greater than 8 grams per serving)

Good Food Sources of Protein (6-8 grams per serving)

Fair Food Sources of Protein (less than 6 grams per serving)

Tips for measuring portion size:

• Palm of hand or deck of cards = 3 ounces

  • Use for cooked chicken, beef, pork and fish

• Fist = 1 cup

  • Use for pasta, cereal and milk

• Computer mouse = ½ cup

  • Use for rice, quinoa, lentils, beans and peas

• Ping pong ball = ¼ cup

  • Use for peanuts and tree nuts

• Golf ball = 2 Tablespoons

  • Use for nut butters

High-protein meal and snack ideas:

• Celery sticks or apples with peanut, almond or sun butter

• Greek yogurt with nuts and berries

• String cheese

• Homemade trail mix (combine nuts, dried fruit and cereal)

• Raw vegetables (carrots, peppers, cucumbers, etc.) dipped in hummus

• Yogurt drinks

• Hard-boiled eggs

• Turkey and cheese roll-ups

• Quesadilla or burrito with beans and cheese

• Grilled cheese sandwich

• Scrambled eggs with cheese

• Tuna sandwich

• Peanut butter and jelly sandwich

• Cheese pizza

• Beef or turkey jerky

• Chicken or tuna salad with crackers

Recipes:

High-protein smoothie

Makes 2 servings with 13 grams of protein per serving.

Ingredients

• ½ banana

• 8 frozen strawberries

• 1-cup milk

• ½ cup vanilla Greek yogurt

• 2 Tablespoons peanut butter

• 1-cup spinach

Steps

1. Combine everything in the blender and mix well.

High-protein instant pudding

Makes 4 servings with 8 grams of protein per serving.

Ingredients

• 1 box instant pudding mix

• 12-ounce can evaporated milk

• ½-cup milk

Steps

1. Pour the evaporated milk and regular milk into a large bowl or blender container.

2. Slowly pour the instant pudding mix into the milk and mix or blend until smooth.

3. Pour into 4 dishes. Refrigerate and serve cold.

High-protein gelatin dessert

Makes 4 servings with 8 grams of protein per serving.

Ingredients

• ½-cup hot water

• 1 small box gelatin dessert mix

• 12-ounce can evaporated milk

Steps

1. Dissolve gelatin mix in hot water.

2. Add the milk to gelatin and mix.

3. Pour in 4 dishes. Refrigerate until set and ready to serve.

Tuna salad

Makes 4 servings with 16 grams of protein per serving.

Ingredients

• 6-ounce can tuna

• 2 hard-boiled eggs

• ¼ cup onion, chopped

• 2 Tablespoons relish

• ¼-cup mayonnaise

Steps

1. Open can of tuna and drain.

2. Mix drained tuna with eggs, onion, relish and mayonnaise.

3. Refrigerate until served.

Chili

Makes 4 servings with 31 grams of protein per serving.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef, turkey or chicken

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1-Tablespoon chili powder

• 1-Tablespoon ground cumin

• 15.5 ounces canned kidney beans, rinsed and drained

• 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes, undrained

Steps

1. Cook beef/poultry and onion in a large saucepan over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly to break up.

2. Stir in bell pepper, garlic, chili powder and cumin and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Add beans and tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer, cover and cook for 20 minutes.

4. Optional-serve with grated cheese, sour cream and sliced avocado.

Reviewed July 2025 by Elizabeth Coover, RD and Laura Tobias, RD