High Protein Diet for Weight Loss

Proteins are one of the macro nutrients required by our body. It is also observed that, proteins can provide much more energy than fats and carbohydrates, and hence most dietitians advice a high protein diet for weight loss. Proteins are made by chains of the various essential and non-essential amino acids which are known as the building blocks in our body. There are 22 amino acids which come together to form different types of proteins. Out of these 22 about 8 amino acids are provided to our body exclusively by the food we eat. Our body then uses these to create skin, hair, blood, nails, muscles and internal organs. A high protein diet is the best choice for all the possible weight problems, like weight loss, weight gain and muscle building. Read on and find out why is a high protein diet preferred to low fat and low carb diets for weight loss.

High Protein Diets and Weight Loss

There are several functions which are carried out by these proteins throughout the body, in organs as well as during metabolism. As there are side effects of being on a low fat or a low carb diet, a high protein diet for weight loss is more beneficial. The reason being, proteins can build new tissues and also replace the old useless ones in the body. Now, for overweight and obese people who need to lose weight, a diet which is protein rich will not only give you energy but will burn the excess fat which you want to shed. But a high protein diet works best when accompanied with exercise. As this diet is low in carbohydrates, it helps burn more calories and converts the protein into glucose due to which you get energy to perform. Since we know how these high protein diets work for weight loss, let's take a look at which are the well-known high protein diets and how safe are they for dieters!

High Protein Weight Reduction Diet
These weight loss diets which are high in protein content have a specific duration for them, after which they should not be practiced. Most of these are also used as crash diets for weight reduction but there are many severe side effects of them. Out of the many high protein diet for weight loss, the Atkins diet is the best, but it should only be opted for on medical advice. They also have certain protein rich foods which are healthy and provide the essential nutrients for the metabolism in our body. These high protein foods can be listed as;

• Eggs
• Milk
• Tofu
• Soya Milk
• Low fat yogurt
• Cheddar cheese
• Sea food (all types)
• Beef
• Chicken
• Other Meats

These foods are meant to be consumed in a certain amount and at particular timings so, overeating could be avoided. Fresh fruits and vegetables, salads and lots of water is also a healthy combination for these high protein diets. A healthy meal with these foods for duration like 2 to 4 weeks, which is followed with regular strenuous exercises, is surely beneficial for weight loss.

How Safe are High Protein Diets?
For many people, a high protein diet for weight loss is not harmful if it is followed for a short period of time. The only risk of this diet is that there might be extreme restriction in the carbohydrate content due to the diet plan. If you are not fit to take the consequences of any weight loss diet, you may suffer from many health problems, thus it is always advised to consult your doctor before taking it up.

• There can be nutritional deficiencies due to the lack of carbohydrates if the diet is followed post its duration and in obsessive amounts.
• Health problems like constipation, diverticulitis and sometimes even cancer may be the reasons of this low carbohydrate content.
• These high protein diets promote the consumption of full fat foods like red meat and dairy which could add to your cholesterol content, and lead to heart disease.
• If you have a liver or kidney problem, this diet could worsen the situations as the body is already eliminating the waste products of protein metabolism.

The best way to lose weight is to have healthy food in sufficient quantity and exercise regularly. Sorting to a high protein diet for weight loss is not always the best decision to take!