One of the TOP things you can do to improve your overall health and lose weight is to add MORE protein to your diet. Most people in the United States are UNDER consuming protein. Especially now that there is so much false and misleading information about meat.
I can’t tell you how many times I hear someone say, “I’m trying to be healthier, so I’ve been really focusing on cutting out meat.” Um…why?
Some may try and get their protein through powders or legumes, however, these methods often involve artificial sweeteners and loads of carbs to get to the amounts of protein needed for a healthy diet.
Depending on your circumstance and activity level, you want to be consuming somewhere between 25-35% of your calories in protein.
It has been shown that higher protein diets are effective in losing fat.
Protein is more satiating that fats and carbs.
When you eat more protein, you’re less likely to be hungry and crave the foods that aren’t in alignment with what you’re trying to create for your health.
That’s why you’ll eat your meal and then be hungry an hour later.
If your meal is deficient in quality nutrients from vegetables and quality meat, it’s likely you’ll crave carbs in your body’s attempt to accommodate the lack of nutrition in the meal that you ate.
In one study, participants who increased their protein intake from 15 percent to 30 percent lost, on average, 1 pound per week and ate 440 fewer calories.
If you have a metabolic condition or blood sugar conditions, protein has been shown to assist in stabilizing blood sugar, preventing the spikes that demand a high insulin production.
Or if you’re someone who is constantly stressed, the tissues in your body are broken down and require sufficient amounts of protein, specifically collagen, to repair.
In my Sustainable Health program, clients are given meal guides and resources to learn how to include sufficient amounts of protein in their meals. They also receive resources and the opportunity for support on how to best meal prep and plan to cook and consume adequate amounts of the nutrients they need!
So what do you think? Will you step up the protein this weekend?