High-protein Low-carb Diet Foods

A high-protein, low-carb diet can help you take off pounds. It does so by decreasing appetite, according to a study conducted by the University Of Washington School Of Medicine that was subsequently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. If you choose to go on a high-protein, low-carb diet, you have a wide variety of foods to choose from.

Eggs

Eggs are a convenient staple for a high-protein, low-carb diet. Inexpensive and versatile, you can use eggs to make main dishes such as omelets and soufflés, or eat them hard boiled as a snack when you're on the run. A large egg contains fewer than 80 calories and over 6g of protein.

Chicken Breasts

Chicken breasts have long been a diet staple. Keep a bag of frozen chicken breasts in your freezer so you can pull one out, defrost it and sauté it. Once you've sautéed a chicken breast in a bit of broth or oil, you can cut it into strips to add to a leafy salad or a healthy soup. You can also use chicken breasts to make chicken salad or tacos. A chicken breast contains a whopping 27g of protein and 140 calories, making it a fine addition to your diet. Just be sure to remove the skin.

Tofu

Tofu isn't a very exciting food by itself. However, you'll find that it has the magical ability to take on any flavor that you add to it, making it one of the most versatile high protein foods available. You can mix cocoa powder and a sweetener with silken tofu to make a creamy chocolate pudding or use the same tofu as the basis for a spicy stir-fry. For a meaty texture, freeze the tofu before you use it for cooking. A thick slice of tofu -- about three and a half oz. -- contains 60 calories and 7g of protein.

Nuts

A serving of nuts is a healthy addition to a low-carb diet. However, not all nuts are created equal. For example, pecans have 200 calories per oz. and contain less than 3g of protein while almonds have 165 calories per oz. and 6g of protein. Add nuts to hot cereal, eat them as a snack or use them as a "breading" for baked chicken or fish. Measure out servings of nuts before you eat them, as it is easy to consume a large amount of nuts in one sitting, which can derail your caloric goals.

Cheese

Cheese is many people's favorite part of a low-carb diet. Like nuts, however, it can be quite high in calories. You can enjoy cheese without going overboard on calories and fat by choosing very flavorful cheeses, such as goat's milk, parmesan or blue cheese. A 1-oz. serving of soft goat's milk cheese contains 80 calories and 5g of protein. An equal serving of cheddar contains 110 calories and 7g of protein.