The protein foods group includes meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood. It also includes plant-based options like beans, peas, lentils, nuts, seeds, and soy products.

While all protein foods are important for health and growing bodies, some come with extra perks!   

• Seafood, nuts, and seeds have healthy fats that promote heart health.   
• Beans and lentils are a great way to get fiber that can help with cholesterol and constipation.

Many Americans get enough meat, poultry, and eggs.

However, many people do not eat the recommended amounts of seafood, beans, nuts, seeds, and soy products.

Variety, variety, variety!
Eating a variety of protein foods is the best way to give the body everything it needs.

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did you know...

• Dairy foods also provide lots of great protein!
• Learn more about dairy foods and take our lesson Build Strong Kids With Dairy Foods.