High-Protein Diet for Weight Loss
Cutting out proteins and carbohydrates from one’s meals is one of the most common mistakes most dieters commit. According to Laura J. Kruskall, Ph.D., R.D., Director of nutrition sciences at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, “Many women perceive foods that are rich in protein as being high in calories or fattening.” This is a perception is highly flawed. While, controlling the amount of carbs to reduce the calorie count is important, it is not so for proteins. Sure, proteins do add on calories but they are not the most portable foods on the plate. It is therefore suggested to opt for a low carbohydrate, high-protein rich diet to those looking out for a quick weight loss solution.
How does this work? Let us try and understand this in some detail.
High-protein food items take more work and time to be digested. This being the case, breaking down the hard to digest proteins results in burning up a few calories in the process. And because the food remains in the stomach for long, it gives a feeling of fullness inside and tames our hunger. In this way the extra calories are counter balanced.
However, being on a extra safe side; you’ll want to include only nutrient-rich proteins in your diet plan. A few high protein food options that are low on saturated fats would be:
- Skimmed milk
- Seafood
- Beans
- Eggs
- Soya
- Lentils
Introducing these healthy protein rich food items in one’s diet has proven to produce splendid results. It has been noted worldwide that dieters who adopted protein rich meal plans (approximately 30% protein intake per meal) reduced around 450 calorie count each day, and boosted their weight loss rate.
Another reason why protein diet for weight loss is most recommended is for the fact that dieting must not trigger weakness in the body. Losing weight should be a healthy process. A protein rich diet thus becomes significant as it helps lose fat and not muscle. The body utilizes amino acids in proteins for lean muscle building. As a result, our body becomes stronger, leaner and more toned.