A high-protein diet is a diet in which 20% or more of the total daily calories come from protein. Many high protein diets are high in saturated fat and restrict intake of carbohydrates. Example foods in a high-protein diet include lean beef, chicken or poultry, pork, salmon and tuna, eggs, and soy. High-protein diets are often utilized in the context of fat loss and muscle building. High-protein fad diets, such as the Atkins diet and Protein Power, have been criticized for promoting misconceptions about carbohydrates, insulin resistance and ketosis.

Health effects

There is dispute among researchers about the efficacy and safety of various high-protein diets.

Efficiency

Increased protein consumption is shown to increase muscle mass, improve muscle adaptations to resistance training, and reduce muscle loss in periods of energy and nutrient deficit. High-protein low-calorie diets are often used in the setting of treating obesity. A high-protein diet does not significantly improve blood pressure and glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes.

Safety

In 2001, the American Heart Association’s Nutrition Committee issued a recommendation against some high-protein diets such as the Atkins diet and Protein Power. The committee noted potential health risks of these diets and how there are no long-term scientific studies to support their efficacy and safety. A 2017 review indicated that a high-protein diet (superior to 1.5 g per kilogram of ideal body weight per day) may contribute to life-long risk of kidney damage, including progression of or potentially new onset chronic kidney disease. Though, a 2023 umbrella review found no evidence that higher protein intake (> 0.8 g/kg body weight/day) does specifically trigger CKD. According to the American Heart Association, high-protein diets that contain high amounts of saturated fat increase risk of coronary artery disease and cancer. The following are examples of high-protein fad diets: