High protein foods make important staples in a healthy diet. Most understand that animal meat contains high protein. However, many other foods like nuts and beans also contain healthy sources of dietary protein. These foods are especially important for vegetarians who may not get adequate protein from their meat-restricted diets. Adding these naturally high protein foods to your diet can help you stay lean and fit for life.

Meat

Pork, beef, chicken and turkey provide complete sources of protein, meaning that they contain all eight essential amino acids that the human body cannot synthesize. If your goal is weight loss or gaining lean muscle, you should choose cuts of meat that are low in saturated fats. Other meat sources include buffalo, ostrich, venison and other game meats.

Fish
Another complete source of protein, fish and other seafood provide the necessary amino acids for proper nutrition and muscle recovery. Examples include salmon, tuna, tilapia and shrimp. These foods typically have higher sodium, however. Fatty fish like salmon contain omega-3, which has potent fat burning and health benefits, according to Five Fat Fighters by Matthew Kadey.

Eggs

Some call eggs nature's perfect protein because they have the highest rating of naturally derived protein. This means that eggs have an excellent amino acid profile and they are digested readily in the human body. The monounsaturated fats in egg yolks help burn fat and improve heart health, according to "The Fat Burning Bible;" by Mackie Shilstone.

Dairy

Milk, cottage cheese, yogurt and ricotta cheese are examples of dairy foods that naturally contain a lot of protein. Cow milk consists of 80 percent slow-digesting casein protein and 20 percent fast-digesting whey protein. Cottage cheese is a pure source of casein, making it a perfect extended-release protein before bed, says Jordana Brown in "The Usual Suspects." Ricotta cheese, on the other hand, contains mostly whey protein, which gets digested quickly.

Nuts and Seeds

Almonds, peanuts, walnuts and sunflower seeds contain high protein and make excellent additions to meals and snacks. According to "The Abs Diet" by David Zinczenko, their protein, fiber and healthy fat content help blunt the release of insulin after meals to prevent body fat storage. However, nuts do contain high fat and high calories, so be sure to control your portions.

Beans

Black, kidney, pinto, garbanzo and soy beans all contain high protein. In addition, they offer low-glycemic carbohydrates that promote leanness and give you lasting energy. Black beans possess the highest vegetable source of protein besides soy, according to Brown. All beans contain high fiber, which fights heart disease, ensures bowel regularity and eliminates toxins from the body.