High-Protein diet: how to get started

If you’re hoping to lose weight, build muscle, or just have more energy to power you through your day, a high-protein diet may be able to help. “Protein plays a wide number of roles in the body,” notes registered dietitian, Dr Kelly Pritchett. “From cellular growth and repair to creating enzymes, helping with fluid and electrolyte balances and forming antibodies, protein is crucial.”

Just know that the plans come with a few caveats, namely they can add a lot of fat to your diet while eliminating healthy fruits and vegetables. The increase in protein can strain you kidneys, as well, which is why you should consult with your doctor before adopting a high-protein eating plan.

For people trying to shed some extra pounds, focusing on more protein could help with weight-loss goals. “You’ll shift more of your weight loss toward body fat and protect your lean muscle mass,” explains nutritionist Dr Roger E. Adams. Research published in 2015 in Trends in Food & Science Technology found that protein has a satiating effect.  “It takes a longer time for your body to break down and digest most protein, so it delays your appetite and keeps you feeling fuller, longer,” says Adams.

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High protein can mean different things to different people. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. For a 70 kg person, that’s about 55 grams a day. But protein diet advocates believe that number may be too low, especially if you are trying to lose weight. “If you are dieting and/or you are physically active, that number should be significantly higher,” says Adams.

A good rule of thumb is to aim for 0.8g to 1g of protein per pound of body weight, advises Adams. For a 70 kg person, that’s 120-150 grams of protein a day. If you eat three meals a day plus two snacks, that averages about 25 to 30 grams every time you eat. Or you can calculate protein as a percentage of your total kilojoules plan to get 20 to 35 per cent of your total daily calories from protein.

Free apps like LoseIt and MyFitnessPal make it easier to keep tabs on what percentage of your kilojoules are coming from protein (or how many grams you are eating with each meal).

“We often tend to backload our protein needs, or have more protein at the end of the day,” says Pritchett. But you’ll find it easier to eat protein throughout your day. Aim to get 15 to 20 grams (or up to 40 grams if you are bigger or more active) at small meals every three to four hours. “You may want to have more protein at larger meals and less protein at smaller ones,” says Pritchett. This will help keep you feeling full and allow your body to use the protein more efficiently.

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“When you keep protein intake higher it helps with any loss of muscle tissue,” says Pritchett. Since muscle burns more kilojoules at rest than fat, you’ll keep your metabolic engine revved even as you lose weight.

That’s especially important when you are older since we tend to develop an age-related muscle loss starting in about our 30s. “Older adults, especially, need to pay attention to their protein meals and make sure they are getting enough throughout the day,” adds Pritchett.

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Whether you like to run, swim, bike, lift weights, or just walk, you need adequate protein in your diet. “The amino acids, or building blocks of protein, are what make up your muscles, and when you exercise that muscle gets broken down and must be replaced,” says Adams. So it’s a good idea after exercise – especially weight lifting – to have a small snack that includes some protein. “Ideally you’re having some protein in a two-hour window after a workout since that is when your body has an elevated muscle protein synthesis rate – it starts to put together the new muscle tissue,” he explains.

What you eat on a high-protein diet is highly individual, but there are some choices that are better than others. “Animal products like meat, fish, poultry, dairy, and eggs tend to give you more protein per gram than plant-based sources,” says Pritchett. These foods are considered complete proteins, meaning they contain all of the essential amino acids necessary for your body to function. Steer clear of higher-kilojoule choices like fatty cuts of meat if you are watching kilojoules. (That’s not true if you’re following a low-carb diet like keto) Chicken, of course, is often a go-to option for those on a high-protein diet, with 27 grams in a three-ounce serving.

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Fish is also a good option for high-protein diets. Many types of fish are packed with protein and contain healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids. Both tuna and cod, for example, have about 20 grams of protein in 80 grams, at less than 420 kilojoules. More of a seafood fan? Pick up some prawns: 85 grams of prawns has 17 grams of protein at only 375 kilojoules; it’s also rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

For those who prefer avoiding meat, poultry, and fish, or are just looking for other options to keep protein levels high throughout the day, eggs are a great option. Eggs are one of the easiest foods to prepare – and easiest to digest – with 6 grams per 1 large egg. They’re also rich in disease-fighting antioxidants, including choline, lutein, and vitamin D.

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Dairy is a favourite option for high-protein foods because it’s relatively easy to find and there’s nothing to prepare. Greek yoghurt, for one, has 15 to 20 grams in a typical 170g container – about the same as 85g  of lean meat. And a cup of 1 per cent milk has 8g of protein, while a half cup of cottage cheese has 15 to 20 grams. When choosing dairy, it’s ok to have a little fat, says Adams. “Some fat – less than 2 per cent – will help give you more satiety and help you feel fuller, longer,” he notes. “But just a little fat goes a long way.” Of course, dairy products like milk, yoghurt, and cheese also provide ample calcium and vitamin D to help you build and maintain strong bones.