Weight Loss Diets That Work

Foods high in protein include: dairy products, meats (including poultry), eggs, fish, spinach, shellfish, crustacean (crab, shrimp, lobster) and soybean. Other very good, yet less obvious sources of protein include: legumes, whole grains, beans, peas, rice, corn, oats and peanut butter.

Athletes and body builders often have diets high in protein because protein helps build muscles. If you're thinking about bulking up or trying to convert fat into muscle, you can consider switching to a protein-rich diet. It can be hard to believe that many North Americans who have easy access to huge amounts of protein-rich foods (hamburgers come to mind) have protein deficiency problems. 

Health

Protein is necessary to our health. The typical adult requires about 1 gram of protein for each kilogram of bodyweight. You can be in control of your protein ingestion and be able to reach your health and fitness goals by creating your own  high-protein eating plan. While soy protein is not exceptionally useful for body-sculptors, this protein source is surely very healthy. The main energy source for intense muscle efforts are carbs and therefore every athlete, no matter which sports he or she plays, must include carbohydrates in his or her diet. 

The two most common factors that lead to accumulation of body fat and weight gain are undigested carbs and saturated fats. While new trendy diets say you should eat less carbs and more protein, health problems can result with low carb intake. A balanced intake of both protein and carbs is likely to be the best and healthiest option for most people.

A Healthy Body

The International Journal of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders published a study, which concluded that high-protein diets could help maintain a person’s weight if such person were prone to losing weight. Certain stages of life and groups of people require more protein than others. Examples include: childhood growth and development, pregnant or breast- feeding women, people who suffered malnutrition, trauma or recently underwent surgery. When your body can't meet its energy needs from your diet, it can start to remove protein from muscle mass, which results in a gradual decrease in muscular mass. On the other hand, if you provide too much protein for the needs of your body, it can't be stored. Extra protein is converted into sugars or fatty acids after it's broken down. In some people, excessive protein intake can lead to a depletion of calcium, which could result in osteoporosis or reduction in bone density in the long term.

Meat

In order to be easily digested, meat must be tender and soft. Meat is a great protein source. Chicken and lean cuts of beef are recommended. However, red meat contains lots of saturated fat, which can clog arteries and lead to heart problems. Saturated fat is also believed to increase inflammation, which then increases pain and suffering. Excessive red meat consumption can induce stress on your kidneys and liver, which could result in a reduction in nutrient absorption.