High Protein Diets – Good or Bad?

High protein diets, once thought of as excellent for weight loss, are actually coming under fire these days for the adverse effects on health.

High protein diets can cause loss of: water weight, calcium, energy and sleep. In reality most early weight loss is water, and weight quickly returns. Even with protein supplements, the body is forced to break down muscle tissue, including the heart, for energy.

Dietary Protein

Proteins are built of amino acids. Human beings need 20 different amino acids; 11 of these can be made in the body, but the other 9, referred to as essential amino acids, must come from diet. Animal protein provides all nine essential amino acids in the proportions required by human body. In contrast, plant protein (with exception of soy, which is almost complete as animal food) lack one or more of the essential proteins. Because not all plant foods lack the same amino acids, however body can build a complete protein if these food are combined in a such way that they complement each other.

Sources of Protein

High protein foods consist in whole or in part, of milk products, eggs, meats, poultry, fish, spinach, soybean, shellfish, edible crustacean e.g. shrimp, crab, lobster, etc; also less obvious sources of high protein are legumes, whole grains, rice, corn, oats, beans, peas and peanut butter.

Healthy Tips

Long term weight loss can be achieved only by common sense diets.

Combine these foods with healthy portions of nutritional food choices such as leafy green vegetables, or healthier carbohydrates such as whole grain bread or rice, preferably red or brown. You can combine some lean meats with other food choices to help your body burn fat, basically acting as a thermal agent.

When you diet, keep your protein at 55% of your calories. This will help you maintain your muscle mass and keep your metabolism elevated. Eat low-fat protein sources like chicken breasts, egg whites, and fish.

Eat four or five meals a day. Not what most would consider a meal (main course with two sides and dessert!), but a small portion of protein along with some fresh fruits and veggies.

High protein diets don't provide some essential vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutritional elements. Healthy protein intake can be accomplished with a little planning and preparing in your spare time. By paying attention to portion size and calories and following our guidelines, you can enjoy healthy, nutritionally balanced weight loss for a lifetime of good health.

High Fibre Food | Food Labels | Good Fats | Enzymes | High Protein Diets