I’ve talked often about not limiting your diet to one particular food group. I do not agree with eating all protein or no carbs at all or no fat. Those are the 3 macronutrients we all need in a balanced way each day.
What I want to suggest here is that if you are trying to lose weight, one food group to definitely include in some form at each meal that’s been proven to help with weight loss is protein. I am not advocating eating an extremely high amount of protein or of eating all protein and excluding carbs and fat. Not at all – what I said in Today’s the Day and what I am suggesting is that you should build balanced meals focused around clean protein, vegetable carbs and a moderate amount of healthy fat.
A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found eating a low-protein diet makes your body more likely to store fat around your liver, kidneys, and other organs. By the way – that’s some of the most dangerous fat you can have in your body. Conversely, researchers found a higher protein diet increases muscle and boosts your metabolism. Exactly what you want.
In a 12-week study, people were either fed an extra 1,000 calories of protein or 1,000 extra calories of carbohydrates. Not surprisingly, both groups gained weight. After all, 1,000 excess calories are just that!
However, the protein group gained less fat and more muscle than the carb group. Remember, you don’t just want to lose “weight.” Your goal should be to lose fat and gain muscle. Protein has completely different metabolic effects than carbohydrate. I talk a bit more about this in this podcast about protein.
What are your thoughts about this?
Reblogged this on Inspiredweightloss.
Ann, cool study and following your suggestion we bought food for next week focused on it. Thanks, @missioncoach
That’s awesome Rob!
Proteins are the building blocks of life…don’t disregard them. Great post!
Ann, just listened to the podcast about Proteins. Interesting study. My daughter eats bacon for breakfast every day just about, so we at least pick the kind that doesn’t have nitrates. She is not a protein eater, so getting that for her is limited.
The beef from Beyond Organics was delicious in some Chili I used it in. I tried it out before putting in the recipe and noticed it did taste different, but I’ve never had real grass-fed beef before! It was great knowing I was getting the “real deal”. Now to try the hotdogs.
Also, what is the best way to order your book “Today’s the Day” (so you benefit the most)? I’d like to get it…
Michael – I’m so glad you liked the beef – I made Bolognese sauce for my dad’s birthday dinner with it and it was exceptional! The hotdogs are delicious – I heat them through in a pan with a tiny bit of coconut oil – it’s just recommended you don’t boil them since it boils the flavor away. I’ll be interested to see how you like them. As for your little sweetheart – if she will eat the healthier bacon – let her have it! There are also the Hormel Natural Choice preservative free cold cuts I find in Walmart and my supermarkets if she likes turkey or something like that for a sandwich. I don’t feel bad letting my daughter or husband have that.
You are very nice to ask about the book – you can go here to this link https://www.createspace.com/3461737 or Amazon if you prefer http://www.amazon.com/Todays-Day-Seven-Week-Fitness/dp/1453634681 – either is fine! Thank you Michael.
Hormel Natural Choice is the brand we use – for Pepperoni and Bacon. She will get stuck on a certain food and eat it forever, then move on to something else. For two solid years we ate eggs every morning, now she can’t stand the smell of them.
Just ordered your book from Amazon. Looking forward to reading it.
My daughter was the same way – she happened to be the pickiest when they were small. Thank you so much for ordering the book Michael – I look forward to your comments and hope you find something of value there.
Makes perfect sense! And I don’t like the sound of fat wrapping around my organs. That just sounds dangerous, but I know its so easy to diet that way if we’re not intentional.
That is some of the most dangerous fat, Rob.
Ann,
Are there benefits to eating certain types of protein, nuts verses beef for example?
In my opinion there are benefits to including both high quality animal protein and plant proteins like those in beans, nuts, seeds, etc. and that’s why I include both. Animal protein is complete protein and a more concentrated source. Plant-based proteins generally have a lower protein content and most do not contain complete proteins. You can combine them – for example rice and beans or peanut butter on whole wheat bread – to make a complete protein.
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/276890-meat-vs-vegetable-protein/#ixzz1sha4ZnM6