by Mackenzie Roberts-Craig

Why do I need to eat protein?

Weight loss diets often prove ineffective due to problems such as hunger fluctuations, poor metabolism, muscle depletion, and reduced energy intake.

1. Reduces appetite and energy intake

Eating protein can help you feel satisfied and prevent feelings of hunger throughout the day, this is because protein takes longer to digest in the body than carbohydrates do, which means that you can substantially lower your energy intake without experiencing feelings of hunger. This may benefit those struggling with afternoon cravings or weight management.

2. Metabolic boost

Protein can increase food’s thermal effect. The term “thermic effect of food” refers to the increased rate at which your body burns calories after ingesting food, also known as your metabolic rate. When you consume food, your body expends energy to digest, absorb, and store the nutrients from the food, resulting in an increase in calorie burning. Essentially, by consuming calories, you also increase the rate at which your body burns calories due to their thermal effect, thus keeping your metabolism firing.

3. Reduces food cravings

Protein-rich breakfasts increase satiety and reduce hunger throughout the day. Science has shown that a high-protein breakfast decreases late-night snacking and keeps you biologically fed. You are less likely to be tempted by foods high in sugar and fat, which may help you lose weight.

4. Increases muscle mass

When you’re trying to lose weight, it’s important to eat a high-protein diet. Losing weight is harder when you lose muscle mass, which is caused by protein loss. You need muscle to support your joints and bones, so you should reduce loss as much as possible. Plus, protein helps you feel fuller for longer, which can help you stick to your diet longer.

What is good and bad protein?

Protein is important as well as the value of the protein and whats eaten with it. Losing weight is going to be an issue if your main source of protein comes form junk food. Th best sources of protein are those that are whole food sources such as

• Lean beef and chicken
• White fish and tuna
• Dairy products like milk, yoghurt and cheese
• Eggs
• Tofu, nuts and legumes