Protein is essential for women looking to build and maintain muscle mass. Protein contains amino acids, the imperative building blocks used to grow muscle. Thankfully, protein is highly accessible in many food and supplement sources, with everything from eggs to protein powders to salmon containing plenty of this essential nutrient.

The best womens protein powder Australia has available - alongside some healthy foods - is the best way to give your body the protein it needs to form and maintain mass.

Let’s take a look at some of these options below:

1. Protein powder

Protein powder has come a long way in recent years. Not only is it highly targeted and can provide our bodies with the protein it needs to build and maintain muscle mass, but it also comes in a range of delicious flavours that make protein shakes a real winner for women looking to build quick mass.

One of the most exciting things about building protein mass is experimenting with different shakes and other beverages that can be made with high quality protein, with everything from bananas to peanut butter, berries and honey all welcome additions to a delicious, mass-building protein shake!

2. Eggs

The humble, highly versatile egg is one of the very best vegetarian options for growing muscle mass. After all, why did they always show footage of boxers and champion athletes drinking them raw when prepping for competition?

We’re not saying you have to drink them raw: you can poach them, scramble them, fry them or boil them in the way you usually would, with the knowledge that the whites are essentially pure protein and that the yolks contain some other important nutrients like minerals, vitamins and antioxidants.

3. Almonds

Almonds are one of the healthiest snacks you can enjoy. Seriously, if you ever find yourself with a 3pm craving for something tasty please don’t go for the chocolate bar - try almonds instead!

Not only are they absolutely full of healthy nutrients like fibre, vitamin E and magnesium, but they also contain plenty of awesome protein. The plant-based protein is a good way of getting some of that goodness whilst making a habit of healthy snacking.

4. Chicken breast

Vegetarians, you may skip to the next protein. Yes, chicken breasts have been a long-time favourite of anyone looking to build muscle mass - you may even see top athletes eating multiple chicken breasts in the one sitting. This may not be for everyone, but it sure is a way to get plenty of protein into your body in the one sitting.

The main thing to remember when eating chicken breast solely for protein gain is to prepare it in a healthy way. Sure, poaching chicken breast isn’t the most exciting way to eat what is usually a pretty tasty protein, but it’s a better way of ensuring that you’re not taking in unhealthy additives like fats from doing something like deep-frying the breast or turning it into schnitzel…

5. Salmon

Salmon is, in our opinion, definitely one of the most scrumptious ways to get your protein on. Not only is salmon just delicious in general, but it’s also really good for you, containing a wide range of nutrients including omega 3 for heart health.

Salmon is also super easy to prepare: you don’t have to go out of your way to make some super bougie sauce - you can just grill the salmon and add it to a plate of vegetables and rice to make a lite version of the classic Japanese donburi - a super tasty way to enjoy building protein-based muscle mass!