Many diet plans focus on the elimination of specific food groups. Elimination of any group of nutritional requirements will present particular perils over a period of time.

High protein diets have become very popular due to the fact that they serve to curb your hunger pangs for longer periods of time. This will allow to you eat less in a given time frame and in turn consume less calories.

Carbohydrates have been labelled as fattening foods. In fact the calories in all foods are the culprit. Carbohydrates are a source of energy for the body and muscles. If we eliminate all carbohydrates we risk a loss of energy at levels that are so high that we become too inactive. Lack of body activity and exercise will promote the storage of fat and result in no weight loss for our efforts. Conversely it is a fine line trying to determine the level of carbohydrates we actually require. It is very easy to cross the line and consume too many carbs. The result again is no weight loss.

High protein diets typically include animal protein and fat. These present the danger of escalating cholesterol levels.

It is important for active people to wishing to manage their weight to incorporate breakfasts and lunches that include both carbs for energy and protein for satiety or that full feeling and also include food compinations such as cereal with milk, turkey on bread and pasta with meat sauce.

To satisfy the energy needs of an active adult you should include protein-rich food at each meal, such as peanut butter on a bagel, beans on a salad or tofu with pasta.

Beans, soy or other plant proteins are necessary to supply adequate quantities of protein to achieve muscle maintenance, to provide iron and prevent anaemia by supplying the required quantity of zinc to boost our healing and immunity power. Substituting natural foods with protein supplements will limit your intake of the required healthy elements and nutrients in whole foods.

To encourage healthy muscle, you need adequate protein, extra carbohydrates and resistance exercise, such as weight lifting. Carbs fuel your muscles and give you the energy needed to promote energy levels required for healthy exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

It generally accepted that a healthy adult requires 0.9 grams of protein per pound of healthy body weight. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds and want the maximum beneficial protein intake you would require 144 grams of protein. This would be represented in a day's diet that includes one-quart skim milk; one can of tuna and eight ounces of chicken breast.