26/02/2025
Here’s a list of high-zinc foods, including vegetarian sources, with their approximate zinc content per 100g:
Animal-Based Sources 🥩🐟🥚
Oysters – 39.3 mg
Beef (cooked) – 12.3 mg
Lamb (cooked) – 8.7 mg
Crab – 7.6 mg
Pork (cooked) – 6.7 mg
Chicken (dark meat, cooked) – 2.4 mg
Cheese (cheddar) – 3.1 mg
Egg yolk – 4.0 mg
Vegetarian & Plant-Based Sources 🌱🥜🌾
Pumpkin seeds – 7.8 mg
H**p seeds – 9.9 mg
Sesame seeds – 7.8 mg
Sunflower seeds – 5.0 mg
Chia seeds – 4.6 mg
Cashews – 5.6 mg
Almonds – 3.3 mg
Walnuts – 2.9 mg
Lentils (cooked) – 1.3 mg
Chickpeas (cooked) – 1.5 mg
Quinoa (cooked) – 1.1 mg
Tofu (firm) – 2.0 mg
Oats (dry) – 3.0 mg
Dark chocolate (70-85% cocoa) – 3.3 mg
Mushrooms (shiitake, dried) – 7.7 mg
Spinach (cooked) – 0.8 mg
Tip: Plant-based zinc sources contain phytates, which can reduce zinc absorption. Soaking, sprouting, or fermenting can help improve bioavailability!
Amino Acids That Improve Zinc Absorption
Certain amino acids bind to zinc and help transport it into the body more efficiently. The best ones are:
✅ Histidine – Found in soybeans, lentils, peanuts, quinoa, sesame seeds
✅ Cysteine – Found in oats, sunflower seeds, soy, chickpeas, whole grains
✅ Methionine – Found in Brazil nuts, sesame seeds, oats, h**p seeds, spirulina
These amino acids form soluble complexes with zinc, making it easier to absorb. Animal proteins naturally boost zinc absorption, but vegetarians can optimize intake by combining high-zinc foods with protein-rich plant sources (e.g., pumpkin seeds + lentils or oats + almonds).
A zinc rich plant based meal idea for better absorption:
🔹 Stir-fried Tofu & Mushrooms with brown rice, h**p seeds, and a squeeze of lemon (Tofu = 2 mg, Shiitake mushrooms = 7.7 mg, H**p seeds = 9.9 mg)