The Science Behind Weight Loss: How Protein Helps You Safely Lose Weight

If only losing weight were easier, wouldn’t that make life simpler? It’s thought that as many as 29 million Brits a year try to shed the pounds through their diet and/or exercise. Yet for too many of those the process is frustrating and unsatisfactory.

Many people start trying to lose weight with only a vague understanding of how to go about it. It’s fine to follow a diet or a plan but it really pays to know a little more about what you’re doing. Consider the science behind weight loss and you’ll be able to make your own sensible choices.

Protein is one of the most important parts of your diet. You probably have heard much said about its importance, but do you really understand what it does and why it’s important when it comes to weight loss?

 It helps to appreciate the following five benefits of consuming protein:

*Stay fuller for longer – It’s fairly clear that if you don’t feel hungry then you won’t be searching for food to eat all the time. Protein helps you to stay fuller for longer, slowing down your digestion and therefore leaving you feeling satisfied and not in need of snacks in between meals.

*Staying in control – When you’re losing weight you want to feel in control of your diet and not like you are constantly battling urges to eat more. By getting protein-rich foods on your plate your body will break down your carbohydrates nice and slowly, helping you to steer clear of the sugar highs and lows that can take you on an out-of-control rollercoaster ride.

*Feeling the burn (part one) – As this post by My Fitness Pal points out, protein has a higher ‘thermic effect’ than other foods, meaning that your body actually needs to burn calories to process it. The more calories you burn the better.

*Feeling the burn (part two) – When you’re losing weight you want to ensure that your body burns away the fat and doesn’t ditch your muscles. Protein is key to helping your body to make those right ‘decisions’ and helps to give it the right fuel to transform into a leaner, meaner physique as you improve your shape and your weight.

 *Protect and grow – As you power through your workout you need your body to be able to recover effectively. You need your muscles, cells and tissue to be able to repair themselves and they’ll do that thanks to the protein in your body. That’s why protein is crucial after exercise.

As a guide you ought to look to consume 2g of protein per kg of your body weight, up to a maximum of 200g. The more active your fitness regimen, the more you’ll need in your diet to help perform the above five functions.

Need to know more? Check out this infographic for a series of protein facts as well as a guide to how much protein is in some common foods so that you can plan your shopping lists and meals to get the right amount in.