Foods high in niacin are an excellent way to acquire your daily requirement but you may find you need supplements in order to get enough.
Why Niacin Is a Dietary Need
Vitamin B3, also called niacin (nicotinic acid), is one of the many B vitamins and is often used in the treatment of high blood fats that are known as lipids and high cholesterol. If you have a niacin deficiency, then your health practitioner will probably recommend you begin a niacin supplement. The tests used to determine your deficiency will become your baseline for prescribing the appropriate dosage for your supplement. You may be given a diet of foods that are high in niacin
How Niacin Works
Niacin is a water-soluble vitamin that supports your metabolism, especially the processes that turn food into energy. Niacin coenzymes aid in the converting of carbohydrates, protein and fat into energy for your body. In addition, these same coenzymes assist in the creation of red blood cells. This support for energy metabolism makes niacin an important vitamin. If you have a niacin deficiency, then you'll have many symptoms associated with a sluggish or slow metabolism.
List of Foods High in Niacin
It's always best to turn to foods before supplements for the nutrients you need. Even if you're taking vitamin supplements, you'll certainly want to improve your diet to include foods that can supply the vitamins you're lacking. If you want include foods that have the highest concentration of niacin in your diet, then you'll want to focus on eating foods that are high in protein.
Animal Protein
Animal protein has higher concentrations of niacin than carbohydrate foods. Meat proteins while certainly not the only source of protein, often have higher concentrations of niacin. Many people seeking niacin in foods instead of supplements or in addition to supplements will choose to add meat proteins.
When choosing meats, especially red meats, be sure to opt for lean cuts instead of those with a lot of fat. Organ meats are excellent choices for lean protein.
3 oz. Servings of Organ Meats:
- Beef heart: 24 grams
- Beef kidneys: 17 grams
- Beef liver: 23 grams
- Chicken livers: 26 grams
3 oz. Servings of Meats and Poultry:
- Bacon, 1 slice: 3 grams
- Chicken breast: 27 grams
- Eggs, chicken or turkey (1 large): 6 grams
- Ham: 20 grams
- Hamburger patty: 23 grams
- Lamb chop: 11 grams
- Lean beef steak: 22 grams
- Pork chops: 22 grams
- Pork sausage: 20 grams
- Pork tenderloin: 24 grams
- Turkey breast: 22 grams
- Veal: 27 grams
Fish Protein
One of the best sources of protein is fish and seafood. The way you prepare your fish is very important because you don't want to add unnecessary fat. Opt for grilled or broiled preparation.
3 oz. Servings of Fish and Seafood:
- Cod: 20 grams
- Crab: 23 grams
- Flounder: 17 grams
- Haddock: 20 grams
- Halibut: 21 grams
- Herring:12 grams
- Lobster: 21 grams
- Mahi Mahi: 25 grams
- Salmon: 18 grams
- Sardines: 20 grams
- Shrimp: 21 grams (high in cholesterol)
- Sole: 20 grams
- Trout: 22 grams
- Tuna: 35 grams
Grains, Nuts and Seeds
Whole grains, nuts and seeds offer you a non-meat protein alternative. You can add brewer's yeast to smoothie drinks or juice you make from fresh vegetables. Most nuts can be made into a nut butter, which make excellent spreads. Seeds aren't just for bird feeders and make an excellent snack choice.
Whole grains:
- Brewer's yeast 3 tablespoons: 8 grams
- Wheat bran cereal 8 oz.: 8 grams
- Whole wheat bread, 2 slices: 4.5 grams
- Banana nut bread 1 slice: 6 grams
Nuts and Seeds:
- Almond butter, 2 tablespoons: 3 grams
- Almonds 2 oz.: 8 grams
- Cashews 2 oz.: 5 grams
- Flax seeds 2 oz.: 8 grams
- Pecans 2 oz: 2.5 grams
- Pumpkin seeds 2 oz.: 8 grams
- Sunflower seeds 2 oz.: 6 grams
Dairy Proteins
Some researchers have suggested that Dairy protein is better than meat protein if you're trying to lose weight, while others contend it slows the loss of weight. The difference in these opinions could be due to the differences in individual metabolism and basic genetics that scientists don't yet understand. Whichever holds true for you, it's good to have a balance of different protein sources in your diet.
Various Servings:
- Buttermilk 8 oz.: 8 grams
- Cheddar cheese 1 oz.: 8 grams
- Cottage cheese 4 oz.: 15 grams
- Cream cheese 1 oz.: 2 grams
- Milk 8 oz.: 8 grams
- Mozzarella 1 oz.: 6 grams
- Parmesan cheese 1 oz.: 10 grams
- Sour cream 4 tablespoons: 2 grams
- Swiss cheese 1 oz.: 8 grams
- Yogurt 8 oz.: 10 grams
Legumes and Beans
Legumes or beans offer you a different taste and diversity in your quest for foods high in protein. You can choose from a variety of textures and tastes as well as various ways to prepare this vegetarian choice of protein.
4 oz. Servings:
- Black beans: 10 grams
- Lentils: 9 grams
- Peanut butter, 2 tablespoons; 8 grams
- Peanuts, 2 oz: 9 grams
- Pinto: 8 grams
- Soy beans: 14 grams
- Soy milk: 4 grams
- Split peas: 7 grams
- Tofu: 20 grams
Maintaining Balanced Protein in Your Diet
Just as you wouldn't overdose on taking too much niacin supplements, you shouldn't overeat foods high in niacin.
