High-Protein Diet for Weight Loss (2024)

FAQs

Can you lose weight eating high protein meals? ›

Eating more protein may help you lose body fat while maintaining muscle mass, especially if you include resistance training. But overdoing it on protein can have some negative consequences on your health, including nutritional deficiencies, constipation and a depressed mood.

If you want to lose weight, aim for a daily protein intake between 1.6 and 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight (.73 and 1 grams per pound). Athletes and heavy exercisers should consume 2.2-3.4 grams of protein per kilogram (1-1.5 grams per pound) if aiming for weight loss.

Protein shakes help you decrease belly fat

A 14-week study gave women with overweight or obesity a resistance exercise program alongside a high carb or high protein, calorie-restricted diet. Those in the high protein group lost 1.7 times more body fat than those in the high carb group.

Some high-protein diets limit carbs so much that you might not get enough nutrients or fiber. This can cause problems such as bad breath, headache and constipation. Some high-protein diets allow red meats, processed meats and other foods high in saturated fat. These foods may increase your risk of heart disease.

Eating at least 100 grams of protein a day is important for anyone trying to lose weight, as it helps to ensure fat loss rather than muscle loss. Furthermore, it can also help you feel fuller for longer, making it easier to stay on track with your diet and reach your weight-loss goals.

A higher protein intake actually increases your levels of the satiety (appetite-reducing) hormones GLP-1, peptide YY, and cholecystokinin while reducing your levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin. If you replace some of the carbs and fat in your diet with protein, you may experience less hunger and feel greater satiety.

Here are a few examples of high-protein breakfasts that can help you lose weight: Scrambled eggs: with veggies, fried in coconut oil or olive oil. An omelette: with cottage cheese and spinach (my personal favorite). Stir-fried tofu: with kale and dairy-free cheese.

Aerobic exercise includes any activity that raises your heart rate such as walking, dancing, running or swimming. This can also include doing housework, gardening and playing with your children. Other types of exercise such as strength training, Pilates and yoga can also help you lose belly fat.

Lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, salmon, and lean beef

“You actually burn more calories to process protein than carbs and fats,” explains Dr. Petre. This is due to the fact that it has a higher thermic effect, which is the energy you use to digest food into absorbable particles.

What did Kelly Clarkson take to lose weight? ›

But the star has gotten some backlash after revealing during a recent episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show that she used a weight loss medication after her guest, Whoopi Goldberg, raved about taking the injectable weight loss drug Mounjaro.

With a high-protein diet, it can be much more than that. This extra protein can come from beans, meat, nuts, grains, eggs, seafood, cheese or vegetarian sources like soy. These diets often restrict carbs like cereals, grains, fruits, and possibly vegetables.

Most people should aim for a maximum of 2 grams of protein per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight per day. Consuming too much protein could lead to a range of problems involving the digestive system, blood vessels, and kidneys. The recommended dietary allowance or RDA for protein depends on factors, such as: age.

So, consuming enough protein is required to stave off malnutrition; it may also be important to preserve muscle mass and strength as we age. And, in recent years, some have advocated a higher protein diet to rev up metabolism to make it easier to lose excess weight, though success in this regard is highly variable.