Stuck in a chicken rut? Chomping down on a bland breast isn't the only way to up your protein intake - and may not even be the best method. After all, why subject your taste buds to monotony when a cavalcade of high-protein sources, each sporting distinct tastes, are begging for a spot on your plate?

Sure, that 3-ounce chicken serving, skinless and devoid of personality, throws 23.8 grams of protein your way. But let's strut towards more exciting protein contenders. Turkey breast, for instance, slims your waist with 25.6 grams of protein per 3-ounce serving and just 125 calories - just a smidge higher than chicken's 122.

Fancy a dive into seafood? Mix in yellowfin or bluefin tuna, offering a colossal 24.8 and 25.4 grams of protein respectively, or add some canned albacore tuna to your salads for a 19.5-gram protein punch (although do watch your mercury intake).

Or try buffet-style protein grazing with shrimp, delivering a lean 20 grams of protein for 84 measly calories per 3-ounce serving. Double your portion, double your protein, and still stay in the calorie safe zone. And unlike that same old chicken, shrimp brings more than protein aboard: it's loaded with calcium and sagely skips saturated fats.

But man doesn't live by meat alone (or shouldn't). Venture into the realm of dairy and plants. A 3-ounce heap of 90% lean ground beef delivers 22.2 grams of protein, albeit with a higher fat content, or sprinkle a healthy 10.1 grams of protein from 1-ounce of hard Parmesan cheese. Parm for the protein course!

And if you're daring, step outside your comfort zone and embrace plant-based protein warriors. A cup of cooked lentils boasts a substantial 17.9 g of protein and nutrients galore. Add an 8-ounce serving of 2% cottage cheese to your regimen, and you're easily looking at 23.5 grams of protein - equal to your one-note chicken.

Remember, variety isn't just the spice of life, it's the path to a balanced, healthful diet. So why not mix it up? You're not a chicken, after all. Or are you?