Healthy Habit #1: Why an Increase in Protein Intake is Important for Fat Loss
If had a nickel for
every time some one walked into a supplement store asking for fat burners to
help them lose their gut, I would be rich. Okay maybe if I had a dollar for
every time, but that is not my point. People think that fat burners are the
answer to weight loss. Although these pills do "help" in controlling
your appetite and increase your metabolism slightly, if you still eat one huge
meal that consists of beer and late night pizza then you can just kiss your
dreams of having a "six pack" good-bye.
So what is the problem? Well, it's
our diet. The average American diet gets 20% of their daily calories from snack
foods. Which usually consist of processed carbohydrates like cookies, crackers,
and any fast food that seems quick and easy. Eat too much, and 1) you'll send
your blood glucose level up higher than you expected; 2) you'll fill up, but
without the nutrients that come with vegetables and grains; and 3) you'll gain
weight.
So why is it that we can't stop eating even after we have had an ample amount
of calories to refuel our bodies? The answer is the effect carbohydrates have
on our blood sugar when eaten alone. When we consume a simple carbohydrate it
gets broken down at a fast rate and sends our blood sugar soaring as well as
our appetite. So how do we control this? We slow down this process by adding a
lean protein to EVERY meal.
I know your thinking that there is no way you're going to spend half of your
day cooking up chicken breasts to eat at each meal. You don't have to. One
serving of Whey protein contains 20 grams of protein, 1 gram of fat, and 1
measly gram of carbs, for only 80 calories. It also comes in different flavors
that will be more exciting to the taste buds then 5 meals containing chicken or
tuna.
My favorite breakfast is .5 cup oats cooked with cinnamon and blueberries
topped with one serving of banana flavored Whey Protein. This meal is about 250
calories 23 grams of protein and 45 grams of slow burning carbs to get my
metabolism ready for the rest of the day’s activities.
Protein doesn't have to be just for body builders and those trying to put on muscle. It's a vital part of a healthy, lean diet.