If you want to lose weight, you’ve got to prioritize proteins in your daily meal plan.
Why?
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The main reason is that a high-protein diet reduces hunger, helping you eat fewer calories. This is caused by the improved function of weight-regulating hormones.
You see, Proteins are made up of building blocks called amino acids.
There are 2 Broad categories of Amino Acids: Essential and Non-Essential Amino Acids. 20 amino acids .
Essential amino acids:
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Consists of 9 amino acids that your body cannot make. Your diet is the only way you can get these.
Foods which contain these 9 Essential amino acids are known as ‘Complete Proteins’.
Examples are meat, fish, eggs and dairy. These contain high levels of all nine essential amino acids.
Non-essential amino acids:
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These comprise 11 amino acids, which your body can typically make from the 9 essential amino acids.
Foods which don’t contain all the essential amino acids are known as ‘Incomplete Proteins.
Plants tend to contain low amounts of at least one or two essential amino acids, depending on the category to which they belong.
For example, legumes and veggies tend to be low in methionine and cysteine, while grains, nuts, and seeds tend to be low in lysine.
The protein found in plants is also slightly more difficult for your body to absorb, compared with the protein in meat and other animal-based foods.
This is why vegetarians and vegans are encouraged to eat slightly more protein than meat eaters.
This can mean that they end up consuming more carbs than they need, and consequently, higher calories.
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If you enjoyed reading this post, I think you will like this one, where I get to de-bunk some myths on the protein in beans.
Much Love, Liz.