Eat these 5 Lean, Green Proteins

Protein is such an important nutrient. It's one of the basic building blocks of the human body. According to About.com, next to water, protein is the most plentiful substance in the body. It builds and repairs body tissues, produces enzymes, hormones, and other substances the body uses. With so many options available, why not choose a greener protein source? Next time you're grocery shopping, try one of these green protein option.

Top five green protein sources:

1. Local, Organic Eggs

One egg provides about 6 grams of protein, or about 10 percent of your daily protein needs. In fact, eggs are such high quality protein sources that they are the standard against which other protein sources are compared. Understanding some egg labels can be difficult. Here's what to look for on the carton. Buy local eggs that didn't travel a long way to get to your table. Also make sure the eggs are organic. This means that the chickens are kept cage free, with outdoor access, and are not given antibiotics (even if ill). Their food should be free from animal byproducts and made from crops grown without chemical pesticides or fertilizers. By following these guidelines you can make sure that you're getting the healthiest, most ecologically responsible eggs available.

2. Rabbit

Rabbit is low in fat and calories. It is also an excellent source of selenium, Vitamin B12, iron, and zinc. In fact, rabbits are considered one of the most sustainable sources of meat out there. It seems that the old adage about rabbits and multiplication is on point. Rabbits reproduce extremely rapidly and can dramatically increase in numbers in just a short period of time. According to Slow Food USA, a single rabbit can produce 6 pounds of meat while consuming the same amount of food and water that it takes a cow to produce just 1 pound.

3. Salmon

Salmon is one of the healthiest fish options around. Most varieties, including coho and sockeye, provide more than three times the 250 milligram recommended minimum daily dose of omega-3s. According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Guide, sustainable salmon choices include coho, sockeye, king, pink and red, and sake. These sustainable varieties should also be wild-caught in Alaska.

4. Grass Fed Bison

With less cholesterol than skinless chicken and 70 percent less fat than beef, you can enjoy a T-bone bison steak without any guilt. What's grass fed? It means that the animal lived from birth to harvest completely on grass. Grass fed animals don't consume corn or grain, and they never see a grain or corn feedlot. They are free of all hormones and antibiotics, and are never fed animal byproducts. This is much easier on the planet. Growth promoting hormones provided to typical animals not only remain in the meat we consume, but they are also excreted in manure. When manure from factory farms enters the surrounding environment, these hormones can contaminate surface and groundwater.

5. Organic Tofu

Buy organic tofu to ensure that the soy beans used were grown without pesticides and chemicals that can end up in our eco-system. Going veg is super eco-friendly. According to the World Watch Institute, 87 percent of all agricultural land in the United States is used to raise animals for food. This means that 20 times more land is needed to feed a meat-eater than to feed a pure vegetarian.

Salivating over sustainable eats? Learn how to make your own with help from Emeril Lagasse in Planet Green TV's organic cooking show, Emeril Green.