Do you pay attention to how much protein you eat at each meal? In a new obesity study, Duke University researchers found women who ate adequate or high amounts of protein as part of a six month weight-loss diet not only lost weight, they improved their ability to get around, too.

“There’s no magic bullet when it comes to weight loss,” said Connie Bales, a professor in medicine at Duke University in Durham. “But our research suggests a higher-protein, lower-calorie diet, including lean pork, could be a viable solution—especially for older women who are most at risk.”

While most Americans eat the majority of their protein at dinner, researchers suggest there could be benefits to spreading protein throughout the day. In this study, women ate 30 grams of protein at each meal with two of the meals, including lean pork. Choices like tenderloin, low-sodium ham, chops and lean ground pork are among the seven cuts of pork that meet the USDA guidelines for “lean.”

The next time you fire up your grill, try this flavorful recipe for Grilled Lemon-Basil Pork Chops with Orzo that provides 30 grams of protein. You can find additional pork-inspired recipes and nutritional information at the North Carolina Pork Council’s website (ncpork.org) and the National Pork Board’s website (porkbeinspired.com).

—FamilyFeatures.com