Protein makes up the building blocks of the body. It allows the body to grow and to repair itself. Protein comes from animal sources like meat, fish and dairy products as well as from cereal products including bread, breakfast cereals, rice, pasta, beans, pulses, biscuits and cakes.
Some products are higher in protein than others. Meat, peanuts and cheese for example contain relatively high levels of protein compared to white rice or semi-skimmed milk.
How does a low carbohydrate/high protein diet work?
Any diet where the amount of energy consumed is less than the amount of energy used will result in losing weight.
- On a low carbohydrate diet if the body is denied its normal source of energy (carbohydrates) it will start using its reserve stocks stored around the body.
- As these reserves are converted by the body into the energy it needs, significant amounts of water are released at the same time. It is this water loss that often accounts for the dramatic weight loss sometimes seen by people on a low carbohydrate diet.
To avoid eating more fat than you need, choose lean cuts of meat or trim the fat off.
- The exception to this rule is oily fish like salmon or tuna or mackerel.
- These sources of protein also contain some oils called Omega 3 fatty acids that are good for the heart and circulation system.