High-protein diets have been in vogue lately, as a slightly more tasty way to lose weight. The idea is that a diet based on protein cuts out some of the foods that encourage your body to store fat.  Carbohydrates such as starchy vegetables, pasta, white bread and the like are passed by in favor of bacon, eggs, steak, chicken, and other high-protein foods. Bodybuilders in particular are fans of this diet, because protein, as we all know, is the building block of muscle. However, the high-protein diet is not just for gym rats looking to gain muscle mass.

So, What to Eat On a High-Protein Diet?

Breakfast • Breakfast usually starts out with eggs. The eggs can be scrambled, poached, or sunny sideup, whatever is your preference. For those battling cholesterol, egg whites instead of whole eggs are recommended. Try to avoid toast, biscuits, bagels, or juice because these foods contain a lot of calories easy for your body to convert into fat.

Note: to bodybuilders and others trying to gain on the High-Protein Diet: cottage cheese makes a great mid-morning snack due to its high-protein content (approximately 16 grams per serving). For best results, however, make sure it’s low-fat or fat free. For an added taste treat, mix in some pineapple chunks, either fresh cut or, if out of the can, in its own juice.

Lunch • For lunch, turkey, tuna, an 8 oz. chicken breast or lean ground beef make excellent choices. If you’re on the go (and who isn’t?), a can of tuna, mixed with a tbsp of fat-free mayonnaise, between two slices of whole-wheat bread makes a wonderful, easy-to-prepare lunch. Adding a mixed green salad with olive oil and vinegar dressing tops it off nicely. And, if you must have some carbs, make it a slow-burning one, like a small sweet potato.

Dinner • Salmon, chicken and lean-ground beef for dinner are good ways to round out your protein diet in the evening. Eight ounces of salmon with a cup of sliced zucchini tastes delicious and will help you cut your carb intake. Other good choices include flank steak with chopped eggplant; boneless, skinless chicken breast with mixed green salad; and lean ground beef with a can of green beans. Enterprising chefs can mix and match these elements to personal taste.

Things to Watch Out for on the High-Protein Diet

Cholesterol, that old bugaboo, for one. Generous amounts of meat and cheese, both relatively high in cholesterol,  are allowed on this diet, but it’s important to not overdo it. Even though the high-protein diet can help you cut out fat, it’s best to monitor your intake and make sure you’re getting abalanced diet. Kidney problems, due to low-carb consumption, have also been known to arise on an unbalanced high-protein diet. Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that carbs, although easy to store as fat, are ESSENTIAL for a healthy diet. Green veggies, potatos, carrots, etc. give you energy and fiber, so it’s important to eat them in the right amounts. As with all things, moderation is key.