06/10/2026
30g of protein can look very different depending on what you’re eating.
You can get roughly 30g from sardines, tofu or edamame, but the amount of food you need to eat for each one is quite different.
This refers to protein density, which is how much protein you get for a given amount of food.
Why does this matter?
- More protein-dense foods make it easier to get a decent amount of protein without eating a huge portion.
- Less protein-dense foods can still be good sources of protein. You just need a larger portion to get the same amount.
- And you don’t have to choose one over the other. You can mix different protein sources depending on what you enjoy and what fits into your meals.
So if you’re trying to get more protein into your diet, don’t just ask, “Does this food contain protein?”
Also ask, “How much do I actually need to eat to get enough?”
Knowing how much protein each source can give you can make it easier to plan your meals and hit your protein intake.