Listen up, carboholics! There's life beyond pasta and bread...and it could mean the difference between losing and gaining. Many people don't realize the importance of protein. However, protein is responsible for giving the metabolism a bigger boost than either carbs or fats. Consuming proteins like fish, chicken, eggs, milk, cheese and tofu enables the body to maintain and build muscle mass -- and the more muscle you have, the faster and better your metabolism functions. Add some sort of lean protein to every snack and meal to reap the benefits. When you load up on lean protein sources, researchers have found that you get full faster on less food. And when you couple a lean protein source and a high-fiber food, then you get a snack that keeps appetite at bay for a long time.
Fiber is bulky and fills the stomach, while protein goes to work on sending those "stop eating!" messages to your brain. Incidentally, protein is great brain fuel - neurons are made of fat but communicate using proteins. Hormones and enzymes all over the body are made of and powered by proteins. On the other hand, simple carbohydrates - while a good source to feed your brain -- can leave you feeling tired and sluggish. Beans seem to be the perfect food when you're trying to combine the two: they're high in protein and fiber, plus they make an economical choice. Try low-fat dairy products, and limit your red meat choices to one to two servings per week.