Editorial guidelines

These guidelines explain how every recipe on Protein First Kitchen is made, what our nutrition numbers mean, and what we do when something is wrong. They apply to every recipe and article on the site.

Our standards for every recipe

• A protein target first. Main meals aim for at least 25 grams of protein per serving, breakfasts for 20 grams, and snacks and desserts for 10 grams or more.
• Real ingredients and measurements. Ingredients are listed in US measurements with grams for anything where accuracy matters.
• Regular home kitchens. Recipes use standard equipment and ingredients from a typical US grocery store. If a recipe needs special equipment, we say so in the title or introduction.
• Food safety. Cooking temperatures follow USDA guidance, such as 165°F for poultry and 145°F for fish, and we flag raw-egg or raw-fish recipes.
• Clear swaps. When a recipe uses protein powder, we explain which kind works best and offer a whole-food alternative where one works.

How we calculate nutrition

Nutrition is calculated from USDA FoodData Central for the exact ingredient quantities in the recipe, divided by the stated number of servings. Optional ingredients and toppings are not included unless the recipe says otherwise. The numbers are estimates; brands and portion sizes change them. Read the full nutrition disclaimer.

How a recipe gets published

1. Research. We look at what home cooks search for and the questions they ask, so each recipe answers a real need.
2. Development. The recipe is built around its protein target and checked against established cooking ratios and temperatures.
3. Nutrition. Every ingredient is matched to USDA data and the macros are calculated per serving.
4. Review. A person on our team reads every recipe for accuracy, safety and clarity before it goes live.
5. Kitchen notes. As we cook recipes, we add what we learn to the notes and update the date at the top of the page.

Use of technology

We use software to help us research topics, check search data, calculate nutrition and draft text, including AI writing tools. Software never publishes on its own: a person is responsible for every recipe on this site and for the accuracy of what it says.

Health information

Some recipes are labeled GLP-1 friendly or high protein for weight loss. These labels describe the recipe's nutrition, not medical advice. We do not tell readers how much protein or how many calories they personally need; that belongs with a doctor or registered dietitian.

Photos

Recipe photos are either our own or licensed stock photography. When a photo comes from Unsplash, the photographer is credited under the image.

Advertising and independence

The site is free to read and supported by ads. Advertisers have no say in which recipes we publish or what they say. If we ever recommend a product we are paid for, we will say so clearly on that page.

Corrections and updates

If you spot a mistake in a recipe, a measurement or a nutrition number, email hello@proteinfirstkitchen.com. We review every report, fix confirmed errors quickly and update the date on the page. Significant changes to a recipe are noted in its notes section.