• Protein comes in many forms, and some forms are better for you than others.daurade image by Claudio Calcagno from Fotolia.com
  
  Everyone needs dietary protein. Whether your diet includes meat, vegetarian or vegan protein sources, protein is necessary for building healthy nerves, bones and muscles. All protein is not created equal, so choose wisely and selectively. Lean protein with healthy fatty acids will provide the healthy building blocks your body needs to reproduce new cells.
  
  

Venison

• Wild or farm-raised deer is an excellent source of lean protein.deer image by Henryk Olszewski from Fotolia.com
  
  Venison, also known as deer meat, is high in protein, low in saturated fat and high in iron and B vitamins. A 4-oz. serving of venison contains only 1.4 grams of saturated fat. While venison may not be as commercially available as beef, pork, lamb or fish, it is an excellent choice when you can get it.
  
  

Lamb

• Spring lamb is a tasty and nutritious alternative to beef and pork.lamb image by david purday from Fotolia.com
  
  Lamb has just a little more fat than pork tenderloin and less fat than beef. Four oz. of lamb has 6 grams of fat, compared to 9 grams in the same size serving of beef. Most lamb is easy to trim and contains a light marbling of fat.
  
  

Pork

• Pork tenderloin is "the other white meat," according to a 1987 pork advertising campaign. According to WebMed, the pork tenderloin you purchase today is leaner than pork available 20 years ago. The fat on the tenderloin is usually easier to trim than other cuts of pork roast.
  
  

Free-Range Chicken

• Free-range chickens are one of the healthiest sources of lean protein, according to fitness professional Mark Sisson. The chickens have less body fat because they aren't kept in small cages where the primary activity is eating. White meat has less fat than dark meat, and you should avoid eating the fatty skin.
  
  

Eggs

• Organic eggs are inexpensive sources of protein, and healthier than fake egg products, according to Mark Sisson. Eggs are rich in vitamins and good fats, and high in antioxidants. In terms of serving size, you get a lot of protein and relatively few calories for your food dollar.
  
  

Cold-Water Fish

• Wild salmon provides an excellent source of protein and vital essential Omega-3 fatty acids. Farm-raised salmon contain less Omega-3. Wild tuna is also an excellent source of protein and Omega-3s. While there is some concern over the mercury contamination of some wild tuna, most canned and frozen tuna is safe to eat and healthier than many other fish and breaded seafood alternatives.
  
  

Organic Beef

• Grass-fed, organic beef is very lean and healthy, and the animals are treated more humanely than commercial beef. Organic beef is cleaner, richer in nutrients and contains healthier fats than commercially raised beef, and some people think it tastes better. It is more expensive than commercial beef, but the benefits to your body make up for the added cost. Many health food stores carry organic beef, and more mainstream groceries stores may carry it as well.
  
  

Almonds

• Almonds and almond butter are healthier than peanuts and peanut butter. Almonds and almond butter are also less likely to provoke an allergic reaction.