High protein for weight loss and more

I love a high-protein meal.

You already know meat is a great source of protein, but so are some vegetables.

The good news here is that high protein foods reduce obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, muscle wasting (in the elderly), and more.

And studies back up the role of protein in weight loss and maintenance…

In fact, several meta-analyses of shorter-term feeding studies of high protein energy-restriction diets resulted in greater weight and fat loss, and preservation of lean mass compared to low protein energy-restriction diets.

For example, one meta-analysis of 24 tightly controlled feeding trials compared high protein with low protein weight-loss diets lasting 12 ± 9 weeks in duration, including 1063 overweight or obese individuals aged 18 and 80 years of age. The high protein diets had from 27% to 35% of daily calories as protein, compared to the low protein diets with only 16–21% protein. The high protein diets caused significantly more weight loss and fat loss compared with low protein diets.

High protein foods reduced not only waist circumference but also triglycerides and blood pressure. Similar findings were found and reported in a meta-analysis among people with type 2 diabetes.

Even better news is longer-term studies also show persistent body weight and fat mass loss from high protein weight-loss diets.  Let’s look at some interesting ways protein foods helps in weight loss.

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Protein’s effect on appetite

When you eat high protein food, you’ll get a stronger feeling of fullness than from dietary fat or carbohydrates. This leads to reduced daily food intake.

This is because dietary protein stimulates peptide YY (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). These two hormones are associated with satiety and reduced food intake Also, the quantity of protein is related to the magnitude of PYY and GLP-1 secretion.

Correspondingly, protein inhibits ghrelin, the hormone that enhances hunger.

What’s more, there is a meal-related minimum quantity threshold of from 25 to 30 grams of protein required to stimulate protein synthesis, which builds lean muscle. Also, there is a meal-related minimum quantity threshold for satiety (feeling of fullness) too, which ranges from 20 to 207 grams per meal.

Interestingly, studies also show a graded effect on lowering appetitive after higher-protein meals (along with increased GLP-1 and PYY measurements) and raising postprandial fullness (along with decreased ghrelin measurements) after consuming 24, 44, and 88 grams of protein per meal.

There also appears to be a ceiling effect on satiety — a point at which additional protein consumption in any one meal does not further increase satiety.

Finally, it should be noted that whey protein suppressed hunger more effectively than casein protein or soy protein sources.

How much protein for weight loss?

To improve lower your body weight, keep it off, and improve heart health, studies indicate you must eat the following quantity of protein:

  • 89–119 grams of protein per day for women
  • 104–138 grams of protein per day for men

Let’s take a closer look at what foods contain the most protein.

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Foods highest in protein

Here are some of the highest protein foods to consider (in decreasing % of calories): generally highest in meats, but also dairy, nuts, seeds, legumes, veggies, and some grains:

  • Tuna, 1 cup contains 39 grams of protein (94% of calories).
  • Whey protein powder contains from 20-50 grams of protein per/serving (90% or more calories)
  • Shrimp, 85 grams (3 oz) contains 18 grams of protein (90% of calories)
  • Chicken breast, 100 grams (3 oz) contains 31 grams of protein (80% of calories)
  • Turkey breast, 85 grams (3 oz) contains 24 grams of protein (70% of calories)
  • Cottage cheese, 1 Cup 2% milkfat contains 27 grams of protein (59% of calories)
  • Lean beef, 100 grams (3 oz) contains 22 grams of protein (53% of calories)Non-fat Greek yogurt, 6 oz contains 17 grams of protein (48% of calories)
  • Salmon, 85 grams (3 oz) contains 19 grams (46% of calories)
  • Eggs, 1 large contains 6 grams of protein (35% of calories) but egg whites are almost all protein
  • Milk, 1 cup of whole milk contains 8 grams of protein (21% of calories)
  • Quinoa, 1 cup cooked contains 8 grams of protein (15% of calories).
  • Oats, half cup, contain 13 grams of protein (15% of calories)
  • Almonds, 1 oz contains 6 grams of protein (13% of calories)—as other nuts

Remember you can put protein powder in any smoothie to boost the protein content with so much fiber you’ll be sure to lose weight, lower disease and feel your best. Now it is your job to be creative in preparing high protein, high fiber meals, and snacks.

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Sources:

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Dr. Michael Cutler

By Dr. Michael Cutler

Dr. Michael Cutler is a graduate of Tulane University School of Medicine and is a board-certified family physician with more than 20 years of experience. He serves as a medical liaison to alternative and traditional practicing physicians. His practice focuses on an integrative solution to health problems. Dr. Cutler is a sought-after speaker and lecturer on experiencing optimum health through natural medicines and founder of the original Easy Health Options™ newsletter — an advisory on natural healing therapies and nutrients. His current practice is San Diego Integrative Medicine, near San Diego, California.

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