
7 High-Protein, Low-Calorie Foods That Melt Fat Faster

You can melt fat faster by choosing these seven high-protein, low-calorie foods that boost metabolism and keep you full. Skinless chicken breast, Greek yogurt, white fish, tofu, edamame, egg whites, and shrimp all provide lean protein essential for muscle maintenance and fat loss. They’re low in calories and rich in nutrients that support energy and metabolic health. Incorporate these versatile options into your meals to enhance results and discover how to optimize your fat-burning journey further.
Main Points
- Skinless chicken breast provides 32g protein and only 158 calories, promoting muscle maintenance and fat loss.
- Greek yogurt offers 16g protein per serving with 92 calories, enhancing fullness and reducing calorie intake.
- White fish delivers 19g lean protein at 134 calories, supporting metabolism and muscle preservation.
- Shrimp contains 17g protein, 1g fat, and cooks quickly, ideal for high-protein, low-calorie diets.
- Edamame provides 18g protein and fiber per cup, promoting satiety and muscle repair for effective fat burning.
Skinless Chicken Breast
Skinless chicken breast offers a powerful combination of high protein and low calories, making it one of the best foods to eat for weight loss.
As a lean protein source, a 3.5-ounce serving delivers about 32 grams of protein with only 158 calories and 3 grams of fat. This nutrient-dense option supports muscle maintenance, which is essential during weight loss to preserve metabolism.
The high protein content also promotes satiety, helping you consume fewer calories overall. Additionally, skinless chicken breast provides essential B vitamins that aid energy metabolism, supporting your weight loss efforts.
You can prepare it healthily by baking, grilling, or broiling, which enhances flavor without adding excess calories. Incorporating skinless chicken breast among lean protein sources makes your diet both effective and sustainable.
Greek Yogurt

Chicken breast provides a solid foundation of lean protein, but incorporating Greek yogurt into your diet can further enhance your weight loss plan.
A 5.5-ounce serving of nonfat plain Greek yogurt packs about 16 grams of protein with only 92 calories, making it one of the best high protein low calorie foods. Its rich nutrient profile includes calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium, supporting muscle maintenance and overall health.
Greek yogurt’s creamy texture allows you to use it in smoothies, parfaits, or as a sour cream substitute, adding variety without extra calories. Thanks to its high protein content, it promotes feelings of fullness, helping reduce total calorie intake.
Greek yogurt’s creamy texture adds variety and fullness, helping curb appetite without extra calories.
Regularly including Greek yogurt among good weight loss foods can support favorable body weight changes when combined with a balanced diet.
White Fish
A 3.5-ounce serving of white fish, such as cod or tilapia, delivers about 19 grams of lean protein with only 134 calories, making it an excellent choice for weight loss.
This low calorie high protein option supports fat loss by promoting satiety and preserving muscle mass. White fish is also low in fat—approximately 5.8 grams per serving—and provides essential nutrients like vitamin D, selenium, and vitamin B12, which aid metabolic health.
To keep it low calorie, high protein, prepare white fish by baking, broiling, steaming, or grilling.
Incorporating white fish into your meals offers a nutrient-dense, good weight loss food that fits well into calorie-controlled diets while helping you meet your protein needs efficiently.
Additionally, combining high-protein foods like white fish with supplements that enhance brown adipose tissue can further promote fat burning and energy conversion.
Tofu

While white fish offers a lean animal protein option, plant-based alternatives like tofu provide equally impressive benefits for those focused on weight loss. Tofu is a high protein low fat food, delivering about 21.8 grams of protein per 3 oz serving with only 181 calories. It’s a complete protein, ensuring you get all essential amino acids for muscle maintenance.
Here’s why tofu stands out as a good weight loss food:
- Contains mostly unsaturated fats that support heart health
- Rich in calcium, manganese, copper, and selenium for bone and metabolic health
- Versatile flavor absorption makes it easy to add to various dishes
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans seeking high protein low fat options
Incorporating tofu into your diet helps you boost protein intake without excess calories.
Edamame

You’ll find edamame offers about 18 grams of protein per cup with just 188 calories, making it an efficient choice for weight loss.
Compared to other snacks, its high protein and fiber content help keep you full longer.
Plus, you can enjoy edamame steamed, in salads, stir-fries, or dips, making it easy to incorporate into your meals.
Protein Content Benefits
Because edamame delivers about 18 grams of protein per cup, it stands out as a high-protein, low-calorie food that supports muscle maintenance and fat loss.
When you include edamame among your high protein low cal foods, you benefit from a nutrient-dense option that aids weight management effectively.
Its protein content:
- Provides all nine essential amino acids, ensuring complete protein intake
- Supports muscle repair and growth, vital for fat burning
- Enhances satiety, reducing overeating and snacking
- Offers fiber alongside protein, improving digestion and fullness
Calorie Count Comparison
One cup of shelled edamame contains approximately 188 calories, positioning it as a low-calorie protein choice compared to many other protein-rich foods. As you aim to include low calorie protein sources in your diet, edamame offers a balanced option with high protein and fiber that supports fullness and weight management. Consider this calorie count comparison to see how edamame stacks up:
Food | Calories per Cup | Protein (g) |
---|---|---|
Edamame | 188 | 18+ |
Cooked Chicken | 335 | 38 |
Lentils | 230 | 18 |
Greek Yogurt | 150 | 20 |
Tofu | 190 | 20 |
Choosing edamame helps you maintain a calorie deficit while enjoying nutrient-rich, low calorie protein sources. For an alternative that supports muscle recovery with low sugar and no artificial flavors, consider Core Power Protein Shake as a nutritious option.
Versatile Preparation Methods
Although edamame is often enjoyed as a simple steamed snack, its versatility extends well beyond that.
As one of the best low fat high protein foods, edamame can easily fit into various meals to support weight loss and nutrition goals. You can:
- Toss edamame into salads for an added protein punch and appealing texture.
- Blend shelled edamame into creamy dips like edamame hummus, offering a nutritious spread.
- Stir-fry edamame with vegetables and lean meats to create a quick, satisfying dish.
- Mix edamame into pasta salads or warm pasta dishes to boost protein content and flavor.
Incorporating edamame this way helps you enjoy good weight loss foods that are both practical and delicious.
Egg Whites
When you want a high-protein, low-calorie food to support weight loss, egg whites deliver an excellent option. Each large egg white contains about 17 calories and 3.6 grams of protein, making it a standout among lean protein foods.
Egg whites are fat-free and cholesterol-free, allowing you to maintain protein intake without extra calories or unhealthy fats. The protein helps preserve muscle mass and increases satiety, which can reduce your overall calorie consumption—crucial for effective fat loss.
You can easily add egg whites to various meals, whether in omelets or baked goods, boosting nutrient density without excess calories. Incorporating egg whites into your diet supports your weight management goals by providing a clean, efficient source of protein ideal for fat reduction.
Shrimp
You’ll find shrimp to be a lean protein powerhouse, offering over 22 grams of protein in just 119 calories.
Its rich nutrient profile, including zinc and vitamin B12, supports your metabolism and overall health.
Incorporating shrimp into your meals can help boost satiety and aid effective weight management.
Lean Protein Power
How can shrimp boost your weight loss efforts without adding extra calories? As one of the lean proteins, shrimp offers an impressive protein-to-calorie ratio that supports fat loss and satiety.
With just about 1 gram of fat per 3-ounce serving, it’s an ideal choice for high-protein diets. Including shrimp in your meals can enhance nutrition and flavor without compromising your calorie goals.
Consider these benefits of shrimp as lean protein power:
- Provides approximately 17 grams of protein per 3-ounce serving
- Contains essential nutrients like zinc, selenium, and vitamin B12
- Cooks quickly in about 15 minutes, perfect for busy schedules
- Supports metabolism and helps you feel full longer
Incorporate shrimp into your balanced diet to harness the fat-melting potential of lean proteins.
Low-Calorie Nutrient Boost
Because shrimp packs a high amount of protein with very few calories, it serves as an excellent low-calorie nutrient boost for your diet.
With about 17 grams of protein and only 1 gram of fat per 3-ounce serving, shrimp ranks among the best foods high in protein low in fat. This makes it ideal for weight loss and maintaining muscle mass while keeping calorie intake low.
Shrimp also offers valuable nutrients like zinc, selenium, and vitamin B12, supporting overall health.
Its quick preparation and versatility let you easily add it to salads, stir-fries, or tacos, enhancing meals without extra calories.
Including shrimp in your diet helps promote satiety and supports good weight loss foods effectively.
Metabolism Enhancing Benefits
Beyond its role as a nutrient-dense, low-calorie option, shrimp also offers metabolism-enhancing benefits that can support your weight loss goals.
As one of the best foods for weight loss, shrimp’s high protein content helps increase the energy your body uses to digest food, slightly boosting your metabolism. Including shrimp among foods high in protein and low in calories can aid fat burning and appetite control.
Key benefits include:
- Provides about 22.8 grams of protein per 3-ounce serving with only 119 calories
- Contains selenium and vitamin B12, essential for metabolic functions
- Low in fat (under 2 grams), helping maintain a caloric deficit
- Enhances satiety, reducing overall calorie intake
Incorporating shrimp as a good weight loss food supports both metabolic health and effective calorie management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Food Is High Protein and Good for Losing Fat?
You should choose skinless chicken breast; it’s rich in protein (32 grams per 3.5 ounces) and low in calories and fat. This helps you build muscle while reducing fat effectively and supporting weight loss goals.
What Breaks Down Fat the Fastest?
You break down fat fastest by combining green tea’s catechins and caffeine with omega-3 rich fish, lean protein, and fiber-packed foods. This combo boosts metabolism, fat oxidation, and satiety, helping you burn fat more efficiently.
What Protein Burns the Most Fat?
You’ll find whey protein burns fat most effectively by suppressing appetite hormones and boosting metabolism. Incorporate it into your diet to enhance fat loss while preserving muscle, supporting your weight management goals with proven results.
What Is the 30/30/30 Rule for Weight Loss?
You might be surprised how simple this rule is: the 30/30/30 rule means you get 30% of your daily calories from protein, fats, and carbs each. This balanced approach boosts metabolism and supports sustainable weight loss.
Final Thoughts
By choosing high-protein, low-calorie foods like chicken breast and Greek yogurt, you’re not just cutting calories—you’re boosting your metabolism. Did you know protein’s thermic effect can increase calorie burning by up to 30% during digestion? That means your body works harder just processing protein, helping you melt fat faster. Incorporate these nutrient-packed options consistently, and you’ll feel fuller, maintain muscle, and see sustainable fat loss results without sacrificing energy or nutrition.
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