We've all hit that frustrating weight loss plateau where nothing seems to work anymore. For Dr. Annie Lampella, a Doctor of Pharmacy who has been living a low-carb lifestyle for over 11 years and founder of the KetoFocus Channel with more than 600,000 subscribers, the breakthrough came from a surprisingly simple adjustment. "I've slimmed down a little bit over the last year because I've been doing something different. I've been eating more protein," Annie explains. By maintaining her low-carb approach but strategically increasing her protein intake, she finally dropped those stubborn 40 pounds. Discover the exact meals that made the difference in her daily routine and could help you break through your own plateau, too.
Why I Ditched Intermittent Fasting
Annie no longer practices intermittent fasting, recognizing its limitations for her new nutritional approach. "I no longer skip breakfast because, with the amount of protein that my body needs, it's really hard to get that in with just one or two meals," she shares. Instead, she prepares convenient, protein-packed egg bites that can be easily reheated throughout the week.
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Breakfast: Easy Egg Bites You Can Make Ahead
The simple recipe combines a dozen eggs, salami (though Annie notes deli ham or pepperoni works excellently too), feta cheese, and salt. After spraying the muffin tin with avocado oil, she layers each cavity with salami, cracks an egg into each one, seasons with salt, and tops with crumbled feta before baking at 400°F for about 15 minutes.
"Each one of these has around 10 grams of protein. So if I have three, I'm getting 31 grams of protein," Annie points out. She pairs them with a latte made from macadamia nut milk to refuel after her morning workout while keeping her satisfied through her computer work session.
The Magic Number: 30 Grams Per Meal
"It's important for me to get at least 30 grams of protein in each meal, ideally around 30 to 50 grams," Annie says, "because that's what keeps me satisfied so I'm not hungry and not snacking in between meals." This protein target has been crucial to her 40-pound weight loss success and helps fuel her five-days-a-week weight training routine.
Lunch: That Fancy Chopped Salad Everyone's Making
For her midday meal, Annie creates a trendy Instagram-inspired Italian chopped salad that delivers both nutrients and substantial protein. "Salads are a great way to sneak in a variety of veggies and make the most nutrient impact," she explains.
Eat The Rainbow (With Plenty of Protein)
Her colorful creation includes lettuce, tomato, cucumber, roasted red pepper, kalamata olives, and plenty of salami for protein. The salad gets tossed with a simple homemade vinaigrette of olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt.
Why This Salad Actually Fills You Up
Annie values the volume that salads provide through water and fiber, which helps fill her up alongside the protein. "This salad has a lot of water and fiber. And that's also going to help fill me up fast," she notes. Combined with adequate protein, this approach helps her stay full until dinner without snacking.
Dinner: A Pasta Night That Won't Derail Your Progress
Annie's dinner showcases how her high-protein approach can work for the whole family. She prepares a creamy chicken pasta dish using a special low-carb pasta that packs a serious protein punch.
The Secret Ingredient: Lupin Bean Pasta
"I'm using my favorite protein packed, low carb, gluten-free pasta. Each serving has 20 grams of protein and 15 grams of fiber," Annie explains. Made from lupin beans rather than wheat, this pasta provides significant protein while remaining gluten-free and cooks faster than traditional pasta.
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When Recipes Go Wrong: Quick Fixes
The dish combines red onion, mushrooms, cream cheese, roasted garlic, and cooked chicken, creating a family-friendly meal that still meets her protein goals. When the original recipe didn't turn out as planned, Annie adapted by adding chicken broth and heavy cream to create a creamier sauce. "Casseroles like this one, my whole family tends to enjoy," she notes, suggesting pairing it with steamed broccoli or a side salad for a complete meal.
It's Not Just About Weight Loss
Throughout her day of eating, Annie consistently aims for 30-50 grams of protein per meal, which has been key to her 40-pound weight loss. As she lifts weights five days a week, she needs sufficient protein not just to maintain muscle but to build it as well. "As you get older, it's harder to build and maintain muscle," Annie points out, "and it's muscle and strong bones that helps keep you from getting injuries that affect mobility late in life."
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Think About Your Future Self
Her preventative approach focuses on avoiding common age-related issues like hip and knee replacements and shoulder injuries by prioritizing protein now. "I'm trying to avoid hip and knee replacements and shoulder injuries later in life. And those are all common as you get older. So prevention needs to happen for me as early as possible," she shares.
With these three protein-focused meals forming the backbone of her daily nutrition, Annie has found the sweet spot that supports her fitness goals while helping her shed those 40 pounds without giving up her low-carb lifestyle. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week