Final answer:
To meet the dietary protein needs of athletes, it is best to consume high protein foods, such as meats, dairy, and eggs, which provide all the essential amino acids for muscle growth and repair.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dietary protein needs of an athlete can best be met by consuming high protein foods such as meats, dairy, and eggs, which contain all of the essential amino acids needed for growth, maintenance, and repair of muscles. Animal proteins are considered complete proteins because they provide adequate amounts of all nine essential amino acids. Vegetarian athletes may need to compensate for lower digestibility and different amino acid patterns in plant-based proteins by consuming higher protein intakes.