Top 15 Healthy Carb, Protein, and Fat Rich Foods
Best foods for counting macros
If you are counting macros for weight loss (or muscle gain), choosing foods dominant in a single macro (carb, fat, or protein) is helpful.
Not sure of your macro targets? Quickly calculate them here.
Tracking your macros is about food freedom (eat anything as long as it meets your macros).
For optimal health, choose from the following list of carbs, proteins, and fats.
The best starchy or complex carbs
Don’t be afraid of carbs.
You can eat carbs and still reach your fat loss or muscle-building goals.
- Oatmeal (old-fashioned or Steel Cut)
- Yams (almost the same as sweet potatoes)
- Brown rice (I love basmati, long grain rice)
- Sweet potatoes
- Multigrain hot cereal (mix or barley, oats, rye, triticale, and a few others)
- White potatoes with skin (glycemic index be damned!)
- 100% whole wheat bread
- 100% whole wheat pasta
- Beans and lentils (great for healthy chili recipes)
- Cream of rice – hot cereal
- Quinoa
- Couscous
- Pumpkin
- Butternut squash
- Fresh Beets
The best carb-rich fruits
- Grapefruit
- Apples
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Oranges
- Bananas
- Peaches
- Grapes
- Strawberries
- Pineapple
- Blackberries
- Plums
- Pears
- Acai berries
- Mango
The best veggies: lower in carbs but high in nutrients
- Broccoli
- Kale
- Asparagus
- Spinach
- Salad greens
- Tomatoes
- Peppers (green and red)
- Onions
- Mushrooms
- Cucumbers
- Zucchini
- Carrots
- Green beans
- Peas
- Cauliflower
The best protein-based foods
What should you eat to hit protein goals? Protein is a vital ingredient in making productive muscle gains.
Food | Protein per 8 oz (227 g) serving |
---|---|
Boneless/skinless chicken breast | 52 grams |
Canned solid white albacore tuna | 71 grams |
Ahi tuna steak | 56 grams |
Lean turkey breast cold cuts (nitrate-free) | 44.5 grams |
Pork loin | 47.5 grams |
Lean ground turkey (99%) | 54 grams |
Egg whites | 20 grams (5 eggs worth) |
Whey Protein (About Time brand) | 25 grams (per scoop) |
Tilapia filets | 42 grams |
Swai filets | 40 grams |
Shrimp (peeled) | 32 grams |
Lean brisket | 47 grams |
Venison steak | 67.6 grams |
Beef jerky | 120 grams |
Turkey jerky | 104 grams |
Cod | 40 grams |
Lean ground grass-fed beef (96%) | 48 grams |
Salmon | 48 grams |
Canned chicken breast | 30 grams |
Lean bison | 46 grams |
Collagen Peptides | 18 grams |
Food | Protein per 8 oz (227 g) serving |
---|---|
Seiten | 56 grams |
The Plant Era protein powder | 21 grams (per scoop) |
Vegan protein powder (About Time brand) | 24 grams (per scoop) |
Tofu | 27 grams |
Tempeh | 32 grams |
Also, consider nuts (walnut, almonds, pecans) and pumpkin seeds – although they have a high amount of fat.
For non-vegan, there is also greek yogurt (avoid yogurts high in sugar).
The best protein supplements and powders
If you wanted to get 170 grams of protein, you would have to eat 1.7 kg of chickpeas (vegetarian) or 750 g of chicken breast.
That’s where protein supplementation comes in. We’ve tried out many powders.
- Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard – 24 g of Whey Protein. Most popular.
- Isopure – Most diverse flavors. 20 g of whey.
Vegan – most are based on pea protein isolate.
Are you trying to gain weight? Learn how to lose fat and build muscle simultaneously using the body recomposition calculator.
The best sources of healthy fats
- Flaxseed
- Almonds
- Olive oil
- Avocado (see our delicious avocado ice cream recipe)
- Walnuts
- Virgin coconut oil
- Salmon (wild-caught)
- Peanuts
- Clarified butter
- Ripe olives
- Peanut oil
- Hemp seed oil
- Pecans
- Cashews
- Dark chocolate
If you are confused about saturated fat, learn which fats you need and which ones to avoid.
How much fiber should I eat?
Aim to get around 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories consumed.
When you eat foods in the healthy carb category, you get more than enough fiber (both soluble and insoluble).
Focus on eating a variety of vegetables and fruit with some complex carbs added daily.
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