A HEALTHY “DIET” FOR A HEALTHY LIFE
Protein for Weight Loss
by Austin Browne
The important connection between health and nutrition is undeniable. The old adage “you are what you eat” still holds true today. Proper food choices are essential to attaining a healthy body, higher energy levels, and overall health.
Most quick fix or “fad” diets don’t work. Fad diets will only yield short-term success. Any weight loss goals achieved will quickly disappear just as fast as you obtained them. For example, fasting or cutting meals to lose weight will actually signal your body to start storing fat reserves. In the short-term, you will be lighter, but your body will store more fat, leading to long-term weight problems. This look is referred to as a “skinny and flabby body.” You will appear thin, but without the necessary muscle mass to look lean and feel fit. The fact is eating five to six meals per day will stimulate your metabolism and increase your energy level throughout the day. As a result, you burn fat reserves and add or maintain your lean muscle mass. The more muscle mass you obtain, the more calories your body will burn throughout the day.
That’s right, you have to eat more often to lose weight and increase lean muscle. First and foremost, you need to get the right amount of protein in your diet to see results.
Having enough protein is important in weight loss, as protein has a stimulating effect on metabolism. This means that protein can help your body burn more calories so they are less likely to be stored as fat. By eating more protein and less refined carbohydrates and saturated fats, you can stimulate fat loss.
Protein can also assist in weight loss, as it makes you feel fuller longer, reducing the need to snack between meals.
Here are a few other functions of protein:
- Enzymes and many hormones are proteins
- It can be a source of energy
- Proteins in skin and bone provide structural support
- Protein provides the building blocks for muscles
- Protein is involved in immune protection
- Protein will make your skin softer and more supple
- Protein is involved in virtually all of our body’s biological processes
For some individuals, getting enough protein in their diet can be a struggle. It is often difficult to consume the needed amount of protein from whole foods we prepare. Protein powder is not only for body builders, it should be considered by everyone who wants to lose weight or tone up.
Most women are interested in losing weight while gaining lean muscle. Protein is the key element and one of the building blocks for lean muscle growth. Remember, the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn. Protein stimulates your metabolism without the fear of “bulking.”
Protein does not typically convert to sugar or get stored as fat as quickly as carbohydrates. Protein (4 calories per gram) is for muscle growth, repair, and recovery. If too much protein is consumed, most likely your body will get rid of it without converting it to fat. However, if you consume too many carbohydrates (4 calories per gram) or fats (9 calories per gram), your body will store the excess as fat.
Every person’s needs are different, just as are their body types. Therefore, what works for your friends may not work for you. It is important for you to understand the basics, which demystify the “diet” process, and spark your interest in determining how to use quality protein to meet your weight loss goals.
Please understand you need all three food groups, as restricting any of the three will not promote the look you are seeking. It is a matter of finding the right balance of protein consumption (at least one gram of protein per pound of lean muscle mass), as well as “good” (complex) carbohydrates and healthy fats (not saturated).
Following the right recommendations will allow you to build a lean and healthy body. Protein powder is a convenient way to add protein to your diet to stimulate metabolism and reduce hunger.
Austin Browne is a Nutrition specialist and owner of Max Muscle in Riverside. He can be reached at (951) 413-1100
.