Eating fish, eggs and meat every day is easiest way to stay slim

Instead of counting calories, those seeking to stay slim are better off enjoying a protein rich diet and eating fish, eggs and meat, scientists have found, the Daily Mail reports.

Because of the way the human body prioritises protein over carbohydrates and fat, those with a diet low in protein are likely to gorge on these other food groups to reach the target protein level.

Over the past 60 years the proportion of protein in Western diets has dropped, and researchers suggest this could account for soaring levels of obesity.

'We can use this information to help manage and prevent obesity, through ensuring that the diets we eat have a sufficient level of protein to satisfy our appetite,' said nutritional ecologist Professor David Raubenheimer, of the University of Sydney.

Professor Raubenheimer is set to present his findings today at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Experimental Biology in Manchester, and says they may explain why high protein diets such as the Atkins Diet can help people to lose weight.

However, he warned such diets could lead to further health issues, as it was more important to achieve the correct nutritional balance.

'We also need to get the balance of fats to carbs right,' he said.

'High protein diets might help us to lose weight, but if they involve other imbalances then other health problems will be introduced.'