A lot of ladies want to lose fat, particularly around the waist. But sometimes exercise is just not enough. The trick is to lose the fat desired, around the waist, without losing any from the breasts or buttocks. But there is a way to reduce visceral fat, which is the fat deep inside the abdomen, by boosting your metabolism. And one type of food is the answer…protein.
Proteins function as building blocks for bones, muscles, blood, skin, and cartilage. High protein diets have been a fad for quite some time now. Bodybuilders gulp down a lot of protein shakes and munch on protein bars. Most avoid carbohydrates. But that could also be a mistake, a balance is needed for optimum health.
However, a study published in the US National Library of Medicine, a diet rich in protein can increase the metabolic rate by 15 to 30 percent. To compare, carbs can boost a 5-10 percent increase, while fats go from 0 to three percent. So those wanting to shed off some unwanted baggage seem to favor the high-protein diet.
Another study also in the same journal showed that participants ate 441 fewer calories per day when their diet was made up of ⅓ protein. Natalie Von Bertouch, an accredited dietician, explained that protein takes longer to digest, so you feel fuller faster and for longer periods. She told Women’s Health, “ For optimum weight loss, each main meal should include 20-30g of protein, while snacks should include around 10g. The best dietary sources of protein are meats, fish, nuts, beans, pulses and eggs.”
Yet, having said this, it is important to note that protein does not give you added strength. And eating more does not mean it’s good for you. Eating an 8-ounce steak often means you are getting more protein than your body needs. Plus you get a good serving of artery clogging saturated fat as well. The myth is that lots of people think they can pack away as much protein as they like. But nutritionists warn that this is a fallacy. Better consult the experts as to what protein your body needs, and how much of it. Afterall, you do want to lose some of those love handles…not get unhealthier. So be smart, and do your research right and look and feel better.
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