Protein is an essential part of a healthy diet. Eating High Protein Foods for weight loss can help shred pounds, strengthen muscles, and bones, and repair and build your body’s tissues. It drives metabolic reactions, maintains pH and fluid balance, and keeps the immune system healthy. It also transports and reserves essential nutrients in the body. They have a complex structure, made up of thousands of small chains of chemicals or building blocks called amino acids.
Our body uses these amino acids to perform everyday functions such as repairing, strengthening, maintaining white blood cells, fighting bacteria, structurally balancing organs, and more. Its daily consumption also maintains our brain’s functionality, strengthens eye muscles, and balances hormones. Along with that, it also transports and stores other nutrients and acts as an energy source. That is why, eating an adequate amount of Protein is important for a healthy functional body.
In this blog post, we are going to discuss the top high-protein foods for weight loss.
Importance of Protein in Weight Loss
Scientifically speaking, Protein actually does not cut fat into your body but helps build muscles. It keeps your stomach full longer and reduces appetite which can prevent binge eating. Diet Nutritionists and doctors recommend high-protein foods for weight loss because they balance the nutritional base, provide strength, keep you full, and satisfy cravings.
Here are some benefits of eating high-protein foods for weight loss.
Reduces Appetite and Hunger Levels
Studies show that protein is by far the most filling nutrient. According to Pub Med Central, it has been stated that protein reduces the hunger hormone, ghrelin and boosts the levels of peptide YY, a hormone that satisfies your cravings. These effects on the body can be powerful and transforming. One study by the National Library of Medicine revealed that increasing protein consumption from 15% to 30% made overweight women eat 441 fewer calories every day without intentionally limiting anything. If you want to lose weight or belly fat, consider replacing carbs and fats with protein. It can be as simple as reducing your potatoes or rice serving while adding a few extra pieces of meat, fish, or eggs.
Increase Muscle Mass and Strength
Proteins are fundamental structures of our organs that are responsible for building muscles, improving cell structure, maintaining functionality, and more.
That is why, eating enough protein helps maintain muscle mass and promotes muscle growth during strength training. It keeps you physically active, gains muscle, builds lean mass and helps prevent muscle failure during weight loss.
Good for Bones
Various long-term studies have suggested that protein, including animal protein, has significant benefits for bone health. It has been revealed that people who consume adequate amounts of protein maintain bone density better during middle age. High-protein Foods can also prevent the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Especially for women, it is important to maintain bone health as bone density can start depleting after the age of 30. Many women who don’t eat enough protein have reported osteoporosis after menopause. Eating plenty of protein and staying active can help stop bone risks.
Top High-protein Foods for Weight Loss
Eggs
Whole eggs are a good source of protein that our body can digest easily. In addition, they’re an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and antioxidants that can help our body to function properly and fight against various diseases. Egg whites are almost all protein, but whole eggs that include yolk provide many more nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats. But, it is important to eat egg yolks in limited amounts. 2 yolks per day are sufficient for the human body’s needs.
Almonds
Almonds are nutritious nuts rich in fibre, vitamin E, manganese, and magnesium, and vitamin, and B complex. They’re also a good source of high plant-based protein. Eating 4-8 almonds a day can improve your health in multiple ways. It can lower heart disease, and eliminate heart stroke factors like high LDL (bad) cholesterol, and high blood pressure factors. They are excellent options for vegetarian high-protein foods for weight loss.
Chicken Breast
Chicken breast is an excellent option for high-protein foods for weight loss. It is not only delicious but can also be prepared in multiple ways. In addition to providing various nutrients such as protein, B vitamins, minerals, zinc, selenium, and carbohydrates, It helps you stay full longer.
Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a type of cheese that is low in fat and calories yet high in protein. It can be prepared in multiple ways. Rich in calcium, phosphorus, selenium, vitamin B12, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and various other nutrients, it is one of the best high-protein foods for weight loss.
Greek Yoghurt
Greek yoghurt, also called strained yoghurt, is one of the most popular high-protein foods for weight loss. This is because it is a type of thick yoghurt that provides plenty of other nutrients. It is tasty, and sweet, and has a creamy texture with many other nutrients like calcium, vitamin B12, vitamin A, selenium, and zinc.
Lentils
Lentils are the richest sources of plant-based high-protein foods for weight loss. They are an excellent choice if you are a vegetarian or vegan. Along with protein, they’re packed with other nutrients, including fibre, folate, magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, and manganese.
Lean Beef
Lean beef is one of the most abundant high-protein foods for weight loss. It’s also packed with essential nutrients such as bioavailable iron, zinc, selenium, vitamins B12 and B6. Red meat can be included in your diet, but it is better to consider the consumption. Eating high amounts of red meat can lead to a higher risk of certain health conditions, including colorectal cancer.
Conclusion
Protein is a vital nutrient that provides an array of different health benefits. Many people usually consume around 15% of their calories from protein every day. However, people who are on a diet or using muscle-building therapies are recommended to eat up to 25–30% of their calories from protein-based foods.
In conclusion, if you are looking for high-protein foods for weight loss and to improve your metabolic health, you can consider adding some of the mentioned food items to your diet. Experts generally recommend people consume around 0.54–0.9 g of protein per pound of their body weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
For effective weight loss, you should add protein-rich foods to your lunch, dinner, and breakfast.
Protein helps build muscles, improve bone health, satisfy your cravings, and help repair tissues. So yes, it helps in weight loss.
