Food with high protein and no carbs is a healthy food guide for low carb diets like keto. You can lose weight faster, easily and effortlessly with protein in your diet. Protein is one of the three macronutrients our body requires daily to survive. Proteins are essential for building muscle, bone and internal organs that’s why you need this High Protein Low Carb Meal Plan.
With a high protein low carb meal plan, you can lose weight, feel healthier and save money. We’ve got a list of the best high protein low carb meal plans for you to try. Low-carb diets are effective for weight loss, overall health, and lowering the risk of chronic disease. This short article will summarize the health benefits of low-carb diets and provide tips on how to start a low-carb diet.
Food With High Protein And No Carbs
Food with high protein and no carbs. Programs made with only the highest quality nutritional ingredients. You can gain weight by eating a lot of these products if you are living an active lifestyle and exercising. But most of us have to do something like counting calories or carbohydrates to lose fat and create lean muscle mass that is “real” body building.
Health benefits of low protein-high carbohydrate diets depend on carb type
In a pre-clinical study that helps settle the debate on the pros and cons of carbs, Australian researchers have found the quality and type of carbohydrates eaten in combination with reduced protein levels severely impacts health outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre conducted the largest ever study of nutrient interactions by examining the health of mice on 33 different diets containing various combinations of protein to carbs, and different sources of carbohydrate.
They found that a low-protein (10% of dietary energy), high-carbohydrate (70%) diet produced either the healthiest or unhealthiest metabolic outcomes of all 33 diets, depending on the kind of carbs.
When carbs were made up mainly of resistant starch, a form of starch that is resistant to digestion and is fermented by bacteria in the gut, the low protein diet was the healthiest of all diets. When the carbs were a 50:50 mixture of fructose to glucose, the same make-up as high fructose corn syrup (the primary sweetener used in the US packaged food and beverage industries) the low-protein diet produced the worst outcomes.
The study, which took three years to complete, is published in Nature Metabolism today.
“While the study was conducted in mice, the results appear to explain the disparity between healthy, low-protein, high-carbohydrate diets and growing levels of obesity and co-morbidities associated with highly-processed modern-day diets which are also protein-diluted and high in refined carbohydrates,” said Professor Stephen Simpson, senior author and Academic Director of the University’s Charles Perkins Centre.
“We found that the molecular make-up of a carbohydrate and how it is digested shapes the behavioural and physiological response to reduced levels of protein in the diet, impacts how the liver processes nutrients and alters the gut bacteria.
“These findings could explain why consuming low protein-high carbohydrate diets that avoid high fructose corn syrup, limit readily digestible processed starch and are abundant in resistant starch (which in a human diet would be whole grains and legumes such as beans and lentils) are associated with good metabolic health.”
The work builds on the team’s ground-breaking 2014 Cell Metabolism study, which showed low protein-high carbohydrate diets in mice resulted in the longest lifespan and best cardiometabolic health during mid-and early late-life.
For the 2014 study, the researchers used readily digestible starch as the main carbohydrate source, so the logical next step was to examine what happens if you alter the source of carbohydrate. The present study confirms the earlier findings and extends them to show the importance of the type of dietary carbohydrate, helping explain why the longest-lived human populations on earth, such as the traditional Okinawan Japanese have a low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet, but when protein is diluted in the human food supply by processed refined carbohydrates, the health outcomes are not so favourable.
Low-protein diets are not all equal
Dr Jibran Wali, lead author of the new study, said that all low-protein diets are not equal. A low protein-high carbohydrate diet is a setting to gain maximum health benefits from the carbs that are accessible to bacteria in the colon (e.g., resistant starch) but can also be a means to maximise the adverse effects of highly processed carbs.
“We found that the 50:50 mixture of glucose to fructose created the highest levels of obesity in mice, even when calorie consumption was comparable to other carbohydrates. This suggests that a calorie is not a calorie when it comes to carbohydrates, or even to different sugars and that consumption of glucose and fructose in combination promotes obesity and poor metabolic health,” said Dr Wali, NHMRC Peter Doherty Biomedical Fellow at the Charles Perkins Centre and School of Life and Environmental Sciences.
The researchers say this finding may come as a surprise to many, as while there is consensus that excess calories from sugar cause weight gain and metabolic disease, there is an active debate on which form of sugar (sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, glucose, fructose) is the most detrimental.
“The findings could have immense practical benefits,” said Professor David Raubenheimer, Leonard P Ullmann Chair in Nutritional Ecology at the Charles Perkins Centre and School of Life and Environmental Sciences and co-author on the study.
“For many people wishing to improve their diets, carbohydrates have become the enemy. Some go to extreme lengths, virtually removing them from their diets. Our results suggest this could be a mistake. Reducing certain kinds of carbohydrates, like high fructose corn syrup, would have benefits. But avoiding the digestion resistant forms, which are found in many plant foods, risks losing benefits of a nutrient that is high in the diets of the healthiest and longest-lived populations on Earth,” continued Professor Raubenheimer.
“The results of this study help explain why it is best to stay away from foods such as cakes, pizzas and confectionary and supports filling your plate with wholegrains such as brown rice, oats and quinoa, legumes such as lentils, beans and chickpeas, and opt for plenty of vegetables including sweet potato, pumpkin, and beets”, said Dr Rosilene Ribeiro, a dietitian and a researcher in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences and a co-author on this study.
About the study
The pre-clinical study of male mice explored the impact of 33 diets with different ratios of protein to carbohydrate, and different types and combinations of carbohydrate (fructose, glucose, sucrose, digestible native starch and resistant starch) with fat intake fixed.
The mice were permitted to eat as much as they wanted for 18 to 19 weeks during which time the researchers comprehensively examined their metabolic health and analysed the gut microbiome.
The study employed the use of the geometric framework for nutrition developed by Professors Stephen Simpson and David Raubenheimer. It enables researchers to consider how mixtures of nutrients and their interactions influence health and disease, rather than focusing on any one nutrient in isolation which has been the downfall of many previous nutrition studies.
What would the diet look like in humans?
While the current study was conducted in mice, a sample menu for a low-protein, high resistant starch diet in humans is listed below.
Breakfast: Porridge and fruit
AM snack: Raw vegetables such as carrots, snow peas, tomatoes
Lunch: Brown rice and quinoa salad made with fresh vegetables and chickpeas
PM snack: Wholegrain bread with hummus
Dinner: Plenty of vegetables (at least half of the plate) such as beans and sweet potato and a small piece of lean meat or fish
Dessert: Fruit
High Protein Low Carb Meal Plan
While the majority of people who have blood sugar problems today are coping with the issue of hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, a substantial number of individuals are living with the exact opposite problem–hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Low blood sugar is just as serious a condition as high blood sugar, although it receives far less attention. As with hyperglycemia, the best treatment for hypoglycemia is adherence to a regulated diet.
Hypoglycemia
When blood sugar is kept chronically low, individuals may experience a number of adverse reactions, such as general confusion, sweating, short temper and headache. The main underlying reasons for the development of hypoglycemia include inefficient glucose metabolism, overabundance of insulin production and a general lack of blood sugar supply. Fortunately, all of these conditions can be regulated by following a tailor-made diet.
Diet for Hypoglycemia
One of the keys to a hypoglycemia diet is to ensure that your body is fed a constant supply of nutrients. So while skipping a meal is generally considered bad for a “normal” person, it is even worse for an individual with hypoglycemia. While dieting with hypoglycemia, no matter what macro-nutrient approach you use, be sure to consume at least five or six small meals daily, eating every two to three hours. A high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet can be used to mitigate the symptoms of hypoglycemia because it can keep blood sugar stable while keeping metabolism high, alleviating many of the common complaints with other diet types, such as lack of satiety and general mood swings. When on a low-carb, high-protein diet, you should strive to consume 30 to 40 percent of your total calories from protein, 20 percent or so from carbs and the remainder from healthy fats.
Keep in mind that a low-carb diet does not mean a no-carb diet; you still need to provide your body with some glucose for day-to-day functioning. In other words, there is no reason to adhere to an ultra low-carb, ketogenic approach such as the Atkins diet plan. Select a more reasonable daily carb limit, between 40 to 75 grams, spaced out evenly among your daily meals. Just be sure to limit your total carb intake per meal to 15 grams or fewer to keep your blood sugar levels constant throughout the day. When making carb choices, your primary target should be vegetables and fruits, with leafy green vegetables taking precedence over everything else because they are your least “carby” source of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Other vegetables and fruits run a close second, with whole grains coming in at a distant third because they can cause greater fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Although you will consume ample amounts of protein, choose lean protein sources to minimize consumption of saturated fats; white meats and seafood are best for this purpose. Finally, keep your fat intake largely limited to unsaturated fats, such as certain oils (from olives, fish, coconuts, macadamia nuts, peanuts and sesame) and natural fats (from almonds, walnuts and peanuts, for example). Balancing your diet in this way will ensure optimal results when attempting a low-carb, high-protein diet with hypoglycemia.
Detox Diet for Diabetics
According to information from the Mayo Clinic, diabetes is a disease which occurs when the body is no longer able to properly regulate its blood glucose (sugar) levels. Treatment for diabetes involves both prescription medication and regulation of dietary intake to keep blood sugar levels naturally low. While it can be difficult to reconcile the recommendations of diabetic dieting with those of many detox plans, there are nevertheless some plans which purport to achieve detoxification effects without compromising the principles of a diabetic diet.
Diabetes Dieting
Understand the general principles of diabetic dieting to better determine what requirements a detox plan must satisfy before being sound for diabetics. According to the Mayo Clinic, diabetics regulate their blood sugar levels through diet by controlling both the quantity and type of carbohydrate consumed, with slower digesting carbohydrates being preferable as they impact blood sugar levels less significantly. These slow-digesting carbs consist mainly of fruits and vegetables, making these staple items in any diabetic diet.
Fruit Flush
Follow nutritionist Jay Robb’s (Everydiet.org) Fruit Flush for a healthy three-day detox for diabetics. Throughout day one of the plan, consume a protein shake every two hours (from 8 am until 4 pm) using whey protein. At 6 pm, consume a healthy dinner consisting of chicken breasts (around four ounces), three to six cups of vegetable salad, and a tablespoon of olive oil. On days two and three of the plan, consume fresh fruit every two hours (again, from 8 am to 4 pm) with a healthy dinner consisting of a protein shake, half of an avocado (for healthy fats), and vegetable salad at 6 pm. This plan comports with the principles of diabetic dieting by relegating your overall nutritional intake to healthy, slow-digesting carbs like fruits and vegetables while providing plenty of added nutrition in the form of protein, lean meat and healthy fats. At the end of the three days you will have likely lost a few pounds without diverging too far from your original diabetic diet.
High Protein Low Carb Meal Plan
So today lets skip the bread, pasta, rice, and all that other jazz and focus on delicious recipes that are HIGH on protein and low on the carbs.
Before we get into the recipes, let me just say that these recipes are not necessarily low fat. All of these recipes have less than 20 grams of carbohydrates per serving. You’ll find a variety of slow cooker, pressure cooker, oven and stove-top recipes. There’s something for everyone here!
So without further ado, lets jump right in!
1. Simple Asian Grilled Chicken
A simple and easy recipe for asian style grilled chicken! We marinate the chicken in soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, ground ginger, and one secret ingredient that always ensures SUPER tender chicken! You can grill it outdoors or on a grill pan indoors.
Calories – 219
Carbs – 4.3g
2. The Best Steak Fajitas
These are literally the best steak fajitas you’ll ever have. It’s as simple as combining the marinade ingredients together and letting it all hang out in the refrigerator. Serve it on a big bed of lettuce and top with guac and sour cream to take this baby over the top!
Calories – 361
Carbs – 13.1g
3. One Skillet Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce:
This one is CONSTANTLY a #1 recipe on the site. You need just 30 minutes and simple pantry staples to bring this meal together. It’s tender chicken breasts that are simmered in a lemon garlic cream sauce. How can you even go wrong with that?
Calories – 302
Carbs 4.6g
4. Garlic Butter Baked Salmon in Foil
A whopping 31 grams of protein per serving, this meal will keep you nice and full. The salmon is brushed with a homemade lemon garlic butter sauce and then wrapped in foil and baked. What you get is flakey salmon that’s loaded with garlic butter goodness.
Calories – 265
Carbs – 1.6g
5. 30 Minute Mozzarella Chicken in Homemade Tomato Sauce
Another reader favorite! It’s pan seared chicken smothered in a quick tomato sauce that’s flavored with basil pesto to give it that slow simmered taste in 30 minutes! Top it with mozz and you’ve got a meal the whole family with enjoy.
Calories – 385
Carbs – 7.3g
6. Veggie Loaded Breakfast Casserole
A low carb breakfast that will keep you full and is easily customizable! Loaded with shredded potatoes, fresh veggies, and a big splash of hot sauce for added flavor. Add in crumbled sausage, shredded chicken or anything else you please to pack on more protein.
Calories – 172
Carbs – 11.6g
7. Perfect One Hour Whole Roasted Chicken
A whole 3.5 pound bird cooked in 1 hour! We stuff the chicken with lemons, garlic, and fresh herbs and what you get it the most delicious lemon pepper seasoned chicken. Serve it as is or chop the chicken and use it in a salad!
Calories – 404
Carbs – 1.1g
8. Chili Lime Salmon in Foil
Salmon that’s been brushed with a lime and chili sauce and dusted with cumin and chipotle chili powder that takes 30 minutes to make from start to finish! Did I mention clean up is a BREEZE?
Calories – 274
Carbs – 4.1g
9. One Skillet Chicken in Fiesta Cream Sauce
What the heck is fiesta sauce? It’s the most delicious cream sauce that’s flavored with cilantro, lime, cumin, garlic and jalapeños! Now imagine seared chicken breasts doused in this sauce? Dinner? Done.
Calories – 333
Carbs – 3.8g
10. Orange Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Want takeout style orange chicken but can’t afford the carbs and the extra calories? This meal will pack a nice punch of protein and leave you satisfied.
Calories – 112
Carbs – 8.5g
11. French Onion Pot Roast (Slow Cooker)
A soul warming roast. We start by sautéing the onions to bring out that natural sweetness. Then it all goes into a slow cooker for a stress-free dinner. Serve it with steamed veggies or cauliflower mash!
Calories – 351
Carbs – 14.8g
12. Pressure Cooker Chicken Carnitas
Chicken Carnitas made in the pressure cooker than crisped up under the broiler. Toss in 2-3 pounds at once and enjoy this all week long!
Calories – 192
Carbs – 5.4g
13. One Skillet Chicken with Garlicky Mushroom Cream Sauce
Another one skillet recipe! It’s an easy chicken dinner loaded with sautéed garlic and mushrooms and topped with a creamy sauce. Swap the chicken breasts for chicken thighs if you perfect dark meat.
Calories – 343
Carbs – 6g
14. Walnut Crusted Healthy Chicken Parmesan with Zoodles
We coat the chicken breast in ground walnuts, top it with marinara and mozz and serve it over spiralized zucchini noodles. This meal is filling and a great alternative to it’s calorie dense alter ego.
Calories – 384
Carbs – 6.5g (not including zoodles)
15. The Easiest Grilled Chimichurri Chicken
Two Ingredient grilled chimichurri chicken. We’re marinating the chicken breast in prepared chimichurri sauce and grilling it up! Flavorful and hardly any work at all.
Calories – 268
Carbs – 1.7g
Health Benefits Of Low Carb Diet
1. Low-Carb Diets Reduce Your Appetite
Hunger tends to be the worst side effect of dieting.
It is one of the main reasons why many people feel miserable and eventually give up.
However, low-carb eating leads to an automatic reduction in appetite
Studies consistently show that when people cut carbs and eat more protein and fat, they end up eating far fewer calories
Summary
Studies indicate that cutting carbs can
automatically reduce your appetite and calorie intake.
2. Low-Carb Diets Lead to More Weight Loss at First
Cutting carbs is one of the simplest and most effective ways to lose weight.
Studies illustrate that people on low-carb diets lose more weight, faster, than those on low-fat diets — even when the latter are actively restricting calories.
This is because low-carb diets act to rid excess water from your body, lowering insulin levels and leading to rapid weight loss in the first week or two
In studies comparing low-carb and low-fat diets, people restricting their carbs sometimes lose 2–3 times as much weight — without being hungry
One study in obese adults found a low-carb diet particularly effective for up to six months, compared to a conventional weight loss diet. After that, the difference in weight loss between diets was insignificant
In a year-long study in 609 overweight adults on low-fat or low-carb diets, both groups lost similar amounts of weight
Summary
Almost without exception, low-carb diets lead
to more short-term weight loss than low-fat diets. However, low-carb diets seem
to lose their advantage in the long term.
3. A Greater Proportion of Fat Loss Comes From Your Abdominal Cavity
Not all fat in your body is the same.
Where fat is stored determines how it affects your health and risk of disease.
The two main types are subcutaneous fat, which is under your skin, and visceral fat, which accumulates in your abdominal cavity and is typical for most overweight men.
Visceral fat tends to lodge around your organs. Excess visceral fat is associated with inflammation and insulin resistance — and may drive the metabolic dysfunction so common in the West today
Low-carb diets are very effective at reducing this harmful abdominal fat. In fact, a greater proportion of the fat people lose on low-carb diets seems to come from the abdominal cavity
Over time, this should lead to a drastically reduced risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Summary
A large percentage of the fat lost on
low-carb diets tends to be harmful abdominal fat that is known to cause serious
metabolic problems.
4. Triglycerides Tend to Drop Drastically
Triglycerides are fat molecules that circulate in your bloodstream.
It is well known that high fasting triglycerides — levels in the blood after an overnight fast — are a strong heart disease risk factor
One of the main drivers of elevated triglycerides in sedentary people is carb consumption — especially the simple sugar fructose
When people cut carbs, they tend to experience a very dramatic reduction in blood triglycerides
On the other hand, low-fat diets often cause triglycerides to increase
Summary
Low-carb diets are very effective at lowering
blood triglycerides, which are fat molecules that increase your risk of heart
disease.
5. Increased Levels of ‘Good’ HDL Cholesterol
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is often called the “good” cholesterol.
The higher your levels of HDL relative to “bad” LDL, the lower your risk of heart disease
One of the best ways to increase “good” HDL levels is to eat fat — and low-carb diets include a lot of fat
Therefore, it is unsurprising that HDL levels increase dramatically on healthy, low-carb diets, while they tend to increase only moderately or even decline on low-fat diets
Summary
Low-carb diets tend to be high in fat, which
leads to an impressive increase in blood levels of “good” HDL cholesterol.