People interested in long-term weight loss without losing their muscle may want to start turning to more meals consisting of chicken and steak.

New research her emerged suggesting a diet that is moderately high in protein may assist people with numerous general health goals such as losing weight and reducing the risk of diabetes.

Donald Layman, a University of Illinois professor emeritus of nutrition, studied the weight-loss efforts of 130 participants to learn more about long-term effects.

Half the group followed a moderate-protein diet consisting of 40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein and 30 percent fat. The other adhered to a diet based on the USDA’s food-guide pyramid of 55 percent carbohydrates, 15 percent protein and 15 percent fat.

After four months, the protein group lost 22 percent more body fat than the food-pyramid group. At 12 months, the percentage increased to 38.

Layman also stated the moderate-protein diet was easier for participants to adhere to, which he said was important to gain the full effects of the diet.

"Subjects on the moderate-protein diet reported that they weren’t as interested in snacks or desserts, and they didn’t have food cravings. When you eat protein, you feel full longer," Layman said.