Increasing protein

Protein is important for growth, health and repair of your body. If you've been ill, you may need extra protein. Some suggestions include:

• Add extra meat, poultry, fish, cheese or beans (pinto, navy, black, kidney) to casseroles, soups or stews.
• Choose meat salads, such as chicken, ham, turkey or tuna.
• Make your own high-protein milk: Add 1/4 cup powdered milk to 1 cup whole milk, or add 1 cup powdered milk to 1 quart whole milk. Use it as a beverage, add it to malts or shakes, or use it in cooking.
• Try a commercially prepared protein supplement.

If illness has made red meat — beef, pork or lamb — less appealing to you, try the following foods, which also are good sources of protein:

• Cheese
• Cottage cheese
• Beans
• Lentils
• Eggs
• Fish
• Poultry
• Nuts and nut butters
• Peanut butter
• Milk
• Milkshakes
• Custard
• Pudding
• Vegetarian burgers
• Yogurt
• Quinoa