High-Protein, Low-Carb Diets | Best Foods & Meal Prep

High-protein, low-carb diets have been thought of as a go-to in the health and fitness world for many years. However, a lot of people are still unsure of what exactly to eat on these diets. 

This article will cover the benefits and side effects of high-protein, low-carb diets, and the best foods to guarantee success. We’ve even got some helpful recipe ideas too.

In this article, you’ll find:

• What are high-protein, low-carb diets? 
• The benefits of a high-protein, low-carb diet 
• The side effects of this diet 
• Best high-protein low-carb foods
• Recipe ideas 

 

What are high-protein, low-carb diets?

There are three macronutrients that make up a diet – protein, fats, and carbs. Most diets fall into two camps: low fat/high carb and high-fat/low-carb. A low-carb diet tends to eliminate most refined carb choices like bread and pasta and starchy foods like potatoes and rice. Most of the carbs in this diet come from vegetables and a limited number of fruits. 

This diet is often associated with a high-protein intake. Most foods that are high in protein will also contain fat. Protein is responsible for looking after our lean muscle mass, our metabolic rate, as well as some of our hormones. 

There are various forms of high-protein, low-carb diets including the keto (ketogenic) diet, which only allows up to 30g of carbs a day. There are more flexible options that have a range of carbs from 50g to 150g of carbs a day.

 

Summary 

High-protein, low-carb diets normally allow an intake of 50 to 150g of carbs per day. This depends on weight and activity levels and can be adjusted accordingly.

Those with high activity levels and a higher body weight may need a higher carbohydrate intake than this, with intakes based on training volume and grams per kilogram of bodyweight. 

 

Benefits of a high-protein, low-carb diet

1. Increased satiety

To lose weight, you'll need to create a calorie deficit. One of the issues with being in a calorie deficit is that hunger increases— which is where protein can help.

Due to their digestion rate, high-protein diets are associated with increased satiety levels, as it takes much longer to break down and digest —helping keep us feeling fuller for longer.1 Protein tends to trigger a higher satiety response than carbohydrates, however, carb sources high in fibre will also increase satiety.²

 

2. Lean muscle mass retention

When you’re on a diet, there’s a chance you can lose muscle mass. That’s because there’s less fuel from food, and increasing the rate of muscle protein breakdown.  

By eating a high-protein diet, there’s less risk of the muscles breaking down to be used as fuel. By maintaining lean muscle mass, the body’s metabolic rate doesn’t drop as much, which is important for weight loss.

 

3. Thermic effect of food

Protein has a high thermic effect compared to other macronutrients, so it has a high energy cost to break down and digest. Carbs and fats use about 10% of the food’s energy to break it down whereas protein uses up to 30% of the food’s calories to break it down. 

When a food has a higher thermic effect, it means there are fewer calories to be able to store as body fat. This can indirectly increase the calorie deficit and promote weight loss.¹

 

4. Less choice

Limiting choice in our diets can make things simpler, and make it easier to achieve a calorie deficit if you’re trying to lose fat. Less choice often leads to less overeating.¹

 

5. Increased fat utilisation

Reducing your carbohydrate intake will reduce the amount of glycogen stored in your body. This is important as evidence shows that performing an exercise with less glycogen availability will increase the amount of fat used as fuel during that exercise session.³

Whilst your overall energy balance of a 24-hour period (i.e., being in a negative energy balance) will have the biggest effect on fat loss, performing an exercise with low glycogen may help to accelerate fat loss.

 

Summary

A higher protein intake leads to increased satiety, meaning you will feel fuller for longer. It also decreases the likelihood of muscle loss and takes more energy to be broken down by the body. A lower-carb diet also means that you’re less likely to overeat and can keep your blood glucose levels more stable. 

 

Side effects of a high-protein, low-carb diet

For most people, there aren't too many side effects of a low-carb, high-protein diet. There are a few exceptions, such as those who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have other health conditions. Before changing your diet drastically, you should always talk to your GP first. 

For highly active individuals, or those with an exercise performance goal, carbohydrates play an important part of recovery and performance and this should be taken into consideration when looking to reduce carb intake. In this case, planning your carbohydrate intake around key training sessions may be a more beneficial strategy. Read up on the benefits of carbs here.

Another potential side effect of a low-carbohydrate diet is the potential impact on digestion. Carbohydrates, especially wholegrains, are a good source of fibre and pre-biotics which are important for maintaining a healthy digestive system. A lack of these in the diet may result in bloating and constipation.    

For most people, the diet is often well-tolerated and the most common side effect tends to be weight loss, which depending on your current weight and goals, could be a benefit.

 

Summary

Other than weight loss, there are very few associated side effects to a high-protein, low-carb diet. We do recommend talking to your GP however if you’re planning on changing your diet drastically. 

 

 

The best high-protein, low-carb foods

There are three main food groups that will make up any diet. Protein, fats and carbs (a low-carb diet does not mean a “no-carb diet".) 

 

Protein

When looking at which protein is best, you should choose sources that are complete as they have all the essential amino acids available. These tend to be meat, fish and dairy sources. However, adding the branched-chain amino acid leucine to vegetarian sources has been shown to improve the anabolic potential (its ability to build muscle) of a plant-based protein source with fewer essential amino acids.³   

An additional factor is the digestion rate of the protein. Protein sources such as whey have a fast digestion rate and are usually more beneficial following a workout whereas casein protein sources found in milk and cottage cheese have a slower digestion rate and are usually better right before bed.⁴ 

 

Fat

The healthiest fat sources are polyunsaturated, monounsaturated fats and those rich in omega-3s. Omega-3 fats have been linked to a huge range of health benefits including improved heart health and immunity.⁵ 

 

Carbohydrates

Try to choose carbohydrate sources that are rich in vitamins and minerals and high in fibre. This will help to increase satiety and keep you fuller for longer.² Due to their low-calorie content you will also be able to eat more of them and maintain a negative energy balance. 

  

Try to choose high-protein foods such as:

• Eggs and egg whites 
• Chicken breast 
• Lean beef 
• Game meat 
• Turkey breast 
• Oily fish 
• Shellfish 
• White fish 
• Whey protein 
• Casein protein 
• Soy protein 
• Yoghurt 
• Cottage cheese 

  

Try and choose healthy fats such as: 

• Avocado 
• Flaxseed 
• Nuts (check carb content) 
• Olives 
• Extra virgin olive oil 
• Various nut butters (check carb content) 
• Chia seeds 
• Fish oil 
• Cheese 
• Limited amount of dark chocolate 

  

Healthy carbs to include in a low-carb diet: 

• Broccoli 
• Asparagus 
• Kale 
• Carrots 
• Cauliflower 
• Spinach 
• Tomato 
• Cucumber 
• Watercress 
• Onions 
• Peppers 
• Mushrooms 
• Beans 
• Oats (dependent on total carb allotment) 
• Berries

Check out our low-carb vegetable guide here:

** Please note that these lists are not exclusive, or complete. 

 

Recipe ideas

Now you might be wondering what a good low-carb meal could look like. Here are some examples of what a low-carb day could look like for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a daily calorie amount of 2000Kcal. 

 

Breakfast

Cream cheese pancakes

• 100g of cream cheese 
• 3 eggs 
• sweetener of choice, if required 
• 1 tsp of Cinnamon 

Blend all the ingredients together. Let it rest for a few minutes. Cook on a pan with medium heat for 2 minutes, then flip for another minute. 

 

Lunch

Avocado and vegetable chicken salad

• 100g of cooked chicken breast 
• 1 large bowl Mixed leaves (rocket, spinach & watercress.) 
• cupful Cruciferous vegetables of choice (i.e. broccoli) 
• Lemon juice 1 to 2 tsp 
• Onions, ½ raw 
• Salt and pepper to liking 

Cut the avocado in half and scoop out the inside into a bowl.  Mash the avocado up and add the chopped onion and lemon juice. Add the chicken, leaves and vegetables and stir. Season with salt and pepper to your liking.

Alternatively, try our low-carb burrito jars!

 

Dinner

Red hot burgers

• Half a tsp of ground chillies 
• 200g 10% lean beef mince 
• Chicken broth cubes 
• Asparagus spears 

Preheat grill to a high heat. Mix chillies & chicken broth cubes into the beef mince. Flatten out and make patties out of the mixture. Grill the patties and asparagus spears until cooked to your liking. 

 

We've also got tonnes of other recipes to choose from here if you're feeling stuck.  

 

Take Home Message

High-protein, low-carb diets are effective for weight loss. That’s because they’re very satiating, have a high thermic effect and help look after lean muscle tissue. This is a great diet to be on if you don’t wish to track calories but want to see weight loss. By omitting the majority of carbs from the diet, there’s less dietary choice, which often leads to a calorie deficit. 

There are minimal risks and side effects to healthy people. For those who enjoy a higher fat diet, this could be an excellent way to go.