Does Protein Help You Lose Weight?
Protein is present in nearly every cell and fluid in our body. They are necessary for the growth and repair of our body tissues as well as the regulation of our bodily activites...
But can protein really help you lose those ugly fat?
Before you learn the truth, there are basically two types of protein that you should be aware of:
Complete: These are food that contains all the essential amino acids which are the building blocks of proteins.
Examples: Milk, cheese, eggs, meat, fish, poultry and other dairy products.
Incomplete: These are food that are missing one or more essential amino acids.
Examples: bread, corn, rice, beans, seeds and leafy vegetables.
Which one is better? Too much animal protein (complete protein) is in fact bad for you and will cause cancer. Regardless, that doesn't mean you shouldn't eat meat. If you do, choose poultry and fish as they are healthier than red meat.
Incomplete protein might seem like crappy source for protein but when you combine them correctly, you can get a healthier version of protein. Many studies show that those who eat incomplete protein has a lower risk for many chronic diseases.
How much protein do you need daily?
Overfeeding yourself with protein is asking for trouble. We need about 0.36g of protein for every pound of our body weight daily. So if you're 180 pound, you need about (180 * 0.36) 64.8g of protein.
Question: Do I have to eat a lot to get 64.8g of protein daily?
Answer: No... you can easily get that amount from your normal meals.
Here's how you can get your daily requirement of 64.8g or protein, if you're 180 pound:
- 2 glass of milk, 13g.
- One large egg, 6g.
- A cup of skinless chicken breast, 38g.
- 2 slices of bread, 4g.
- 2 tablespoon of peanut butter, 8g.
....and that's a total of 69g of protein!
Your protein needs may be different so be sure to consult with your nutritionists to get an accurate minimum daily protein requirement.
Does that mean you have must deprive yourself from the pleasure of eating? Absolutely no! If you know the right food and the proper amount to eat, you can even Eat more and Lose more!
So does protein help you lose weight?
Yes, diets that are high in protein can help you control your appetites and calorie intake better.
When taken in proper amount, a high protein diet combined with proper weight loss exercises can indeed help you lose weight.