I shouldn't have used that phrase. What I meant was "diet that includes enough protein and vitamins, and has a caloric surplus---which, relative to my prior (terrible) eating habits, is "protein-based."

I've been through plenty of bulks and cuts, and it's very easy to eat a surplus if you don't impose silly limitations on yourself.

My personal preference is to blend the calories and drink them:

    - Milk
    - Oats
    - Peanut butter
    - Banana
    - Whatever else you like (flax seed, whey powder, etc.)

Plenty of calories, good macros, and very easy to consume in large quantities.