The Ultimate Protein Guide . And that's because whether you want to lose weight, gain muscle, or simply improve your health, studies have pointed to protein as the magic potion. And it kind of it; but that doesn't mean you should consume any source or eat it without abandon. Because unlike a Reese's, there's a right way and a wrong way to eat protein! No matter your goals or lifestyle, there is something here for you. Consider this your protein bible, bookmark it, share it, and refer back to it often. And while you've got weight loss on the brain, be sure to check out our exclusive report, 2. Weight Loss Tricks You Haven't Tried! PLUS: Are you or someone you know expecting a baby?
Our brand- new book Eat This, Not That! Jennifer Ashton, is now available. Get the doctor- recommended, trimester- by- trimester eating plan for baby and you! Most people know that protein is essential for muscle growth, tissue health, and weight loss. Most people also know that it's found in food like chicken and milk. But have you ever stopped to think about what protein exactly is? Like carbs and fat, protein is a macronutrient or a substance required in large amounts for humans to survive. And all sources of protein are made up of organic compounds called amino acids. For this reason, people will often refer to amino acids as . That's because the body cannot produce them on its own. While animal sources of protein contain all eight, when it comes to other sources of protein like beans and whole grains, that's not always the case. For this reason, vegans and vegetarians are often told to eat a wide variety of foods to ensure they consume all the essential amino acids throughout the day. So, how much of the stuff should you be eating? Diet experts, personal trainers, and scientists seem to go back and forth on this one. To find out what's right for you, step on a scale and be honest with yourself about your activity level. Men who work out for 4. So an 1. 80- pound guy who works out regularly needs about 8. For a 1. 40- pound woman, that translates to nearly 5. Take in any more than that and you'll just burn it off as extra energy since you're body doesn't need it. But be warned: Taking in excess calories, from protein or otherwise, can lead to weight gain, so be sure to stay within the recommended calorie range for your goal. One more tip for optimal results: Distribute your protein intake evenly throughout the day. Research shows that grazing on the nutrient instead of packing it all into one meal boosts protein synthesis (the muscle- growing process) by 2. Okay, now on to the fun part: eating! From snacks and protein powders to meats and veggies, there are a million sources of protein. It can be overwhelming, to say the least. Healthy food 10 Protein-Packed Soup Recipes Protein- and fiber-filled soup recipes to bulk To help you cut through the noise and identify the best bets for your diet, we've listed the best of the lot below. This way you can simply jot down what sounds yummy to you, and add it to your shopping cart next time you hit up the grocery store. And speaking of food shopping, be sure to check out these The 4. Best Supermarket Shopping Tips Ever to save cash and slim down! Amount of Protein: 2. A longtime enemy of doctors and dieters, pork has been coming around as a healthier alternative of late. Your best bet is pork tenderloin: A University of Wisconsin Study found that a three- ounce serving of pork tenderloin has slightly less fat than a skinless chicken breast. It has 2. 4 grams of protein per serving and 8. In a study published in the journal Nutrients, scientists asked 1. After three months, the group saw a significant reduction in waist size, BMI and belly fat with no reduction in muscle mass! Find out how much protein you should eat per day (in grams) to build muscle, lose fat, or just be healthy. Protein may be the best-recognized of all nutrients in terms of its health importance. Public health recommendations in the U.S. They speculate that the amino acid profile of pork protein may contribute to greater fat burning. For even more great ways to burn off the flab, check out these 4. Ways to Lose 5 Inches of Belly Fat! Amount of Protein: 2. When it comes to steak or burgers, go grass- fed. It may ding your wallet, but it'll dent your abs. Grass- fed beef is naturally leaner and has fewer calories than conventional meat: A lean seven- ounce conventional strip steak has 3. But a seven- ounce grass- fed strip steak has only 2. Grass- fed meat also contains higher levels of omega- 3 fatty acids, according to a study published in Nutrition Journal, which have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. Concerned about your ticker? Keep it healthy by eating more of these foods that decrease your heart disease risk. Amount of Protein: 2. While grass- fed beef is an excellent choice, bison's profile has been rising in recent years, and for good reason: It has half the fat of and fewer calories than red meat. According to the USDA, while a 9. But wait, taking a chance on this unexpected meat will earn you two healthy bonuses: In just one serving you'll get a full day's allowance of vitamin B- 1. Best Foods for Energy) and help shut down the genes responsible for insulin resistance and the formation of fat cells; additionally, since bison are naturally grass- fed, you can confidently down your burger knowing it's free of the hormones and pollutants than can manifest themselves in your belly fat. Amount of Protein: 2. Lower that eyebrow you're raising. Ostrich meat is the rising star of the grill. While it's technically red and has the rich taste of beef, it has less fat than turkey or chicken. A four- ounce patty contains nearly 3. Plus, one serving has 2. B- 1. 2. This exotic meat can also help whittle your middle: Ostrich contains 5. And it's not as hard to find as it sounds. The Satiety Index of Common Foods, an Australian study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, ranks it the number two most filling food. A separate Australian study that compared the satiety of different animal proteins found a nutritionally similar white fish (flake) to be significantly more satiating than beef and chicken; satiety following the whitefish meal also declined at a much slower rate. Study authors attribute the filling factor of white fish like halibut to its impressive protein content and influence on serotonin, one of the key hormones responsible for appetite signals. Just make sure you avoid tilapia. Amount of Protein: 1. Don't let salmon's relatively high calorie and fat content fool you; studies suggest the oily fish may be one of the best for weight loss. In one study, participants were divided into groups and assigned one of three equicaloric weight loss diets that included no seafood (the control group), lean white fish, or salmon. Everyone lost weight, but the salmon eaters had the lowest fasting insulin levels and a marked reduction in inflammation. Another study in the International Journal of Obesity found that eating three 5- ounce servings of salmon per week for four weeks as part of a low- calorie diet resulted in approximately 2. Wild salmon is leaner than farmed, which is plumped up on fishmeal; and it's also proven to be significantly lower in cancer- linked PCBs. This is a protein- rich fish you don't want to miss! And for even more foods that will fight inflammation, check out these 2. Anti- Inflammatory Foods for Weight Loss! Amount of Protein: 1. Tuna or to- not? As a primo source of protein and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), canned light tuna is one of the best and most affordable fish for weight loss, especially from your belly! One study in the Journal of Lipid Research showed that omega 3 fatty acid supplementation had the profound ability to turn off abdominal fat genes. And while you'll find two types of fatty acids in cold water fish and fish oils. But what about the mercury? Mercury levels in tuna vary by species; generally speaking, the larger and leaner the fish, the higher the mercury level. Bluefin and albacore rank among the most toxic, according to a study in Biology Letters. But canned chunk light tuna, harvested from the smallest fish, is considered a . But research suggests a regular serving of Pacific cod, the fish that's typical of fish sticks, may keep you stick thin. One study in the journal Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases found that eating five servings of cod per week as part of a low- calorie diet for eight weeks resulted in an extra 3. Researchers attribute the satiating and slimming properties to cod's high protein content and amino acid profile, which can help regulate the metabolism. No wonder Captain Birdseye looks so smug! Amount of Protein: 1. Lean and protein- rich, turkey is no longer an automatic substitute for red meat. A quarter- pound turkey burger patty contains 1. Additionally, turkey is rich in DHA omega- 3 acids. Just make sure you buy white meat only; dark contains too much fat. And know that you're doing your health a double solid by grilling at home: Restaurant versions can be packed with fatty add- ins to increase flavor. Not your problem, since it's going straight from the grill to your plate (ideally with the best spices to burn fat and peppers mixed in). Amount of Protein: 2. But the go- to protein can be a fail on the taste front. Check out these 3. Best- Ever Chicken Recipes for Weight Loss for some culinary inspiration. Amount of Protein: 7 g per egg. Eggs might just be the easiest, cheapest and most versatile way to up your protein intake. Beyond easily upping your daily protein count, each 8. Eggs also boost your health: They're loaded with amino acids, antioxidants, and iron. Don't just reach for the whites, though; the yolks boast a fat- fighting nutrient called choline, so opting for whole eggs can actually help you trim down. When you're shopping for eggs, pay attention to the labels. You should be buying organic, when possible. These are certified by the USDA and are free from antibiotics, vaccines, and hormones. As for color, that's your call. The difference in color just varies based on the type of chicken. A study printed in the Journal of Nutrition found that probiotics like the ones found in creamy, delicious yogurt helped obese women lose nearly twice the weight compared to those who did not consume probiotics. Your weight loss diet plan(If you somehow got here without reading Phase 1 first, you're going to be a little lost. It's ok, just go back and read it here: Phase 1: How To Lose Weight). In Phase 1 of The Lose Weight Diet, you learned how to lose weight. You learned that the key to weight loss is being in a calorie deficit, which means you are burning more calories than you are consuming. You learned that to do this, you just need be about 5. You also learned that while this is the only real requirement of weight loss, making sure these calories are coming from the right food sources is also important. The very first thing you're going to need to do is figure out what your calorie maintenance level is.. It is based on many factors and is specific to each person. For example, you and your friend might be the same height and weight, but you might have maintenance levels that are hundreds of calories apart. Since the effectiveness of your weight loss diet plan depends a lot on this number, it is important that you figure it out as accurately as possible. The first is a pretty close estimate, and the second is as accurate as can be. Here's the method for getting the . It requires putting your gender, weight, height, age and activity level through a 6th grade level math formula. However, I have assumed that no one actually wants to sit around doing 6th grade math. I was right, wasn't I? So, I've included a calculator for it instead. All you need to do now is just fill out the quick form below and hit . Go ahead and try it.. While the above method is probably accurate enough for most people (it was actually very close for me), I can't say for sure if it will be as accurate for everyone. And, since this is the number that will be at the heart of your weight loss diet plan, I'm going to mention the second method. For example, if you maintained weight eating this certain number calories per day, you have found your maintenance level. If you gained weight, lower your calorie intake a little and see what happens then. If you lose weight, then you know you're already below your calorie maintenance level. To figure this number out, pick a day and eat like you normally would. The only difference is you will be keeping track of the number of calories in everything you consume. At the end of the day add it all up. Do this for a few days and then take an average of all the days. This average is the average amount of calories you are currently taking in each day and would make a perfect starting point for method #2. Feel free to use both, by the way. It's really as easy as it sounds. Just subtract 5. 00 from your daily maintenance level and then start eating this new amount of calories each day. By doing so, you would officially be in a calorie deficit. And, as you know, a calorie deficit is what makes weight loss happen. Eat them all in 3 big meals, 6 small meals, every 2 hours, every 5 hours.. It literally makes no difference whatsoever how you do it as long as your total calorie intake is the same for the day. You may have heard differently.. But the truth is that it's all nonsense. So, the key is to do whatever is easiest and most enjoyable for you. Whatever meal schedule is most likely to allow you to consistently eat the right total amount of calories per day.. THAT'S what you should do. As far as food sources go, the best sources of protein tend to come from anything that used to be alive, or anything that came from something that used to be alive. Some high protein foods include. Protein can also be found in all types of nuts, seeds and beans. And of course, there are always protein supplements in the form of powders, shakes and bars. I fully explain the purpose and benefits of protein supplements here: Protein Powder. As far as how much protein you should include in your weight loss diet plan per day, that depends on the person. For example, the average person who doesn't exercise at all needs less protein than someone who does. Something in the range of a MINIMUM of 0. For example, if the person weighed 1. In this example a person weighing 1. This is what I'd recommend most often. So, for example, if you were to eat 1. Some types are definitely terrible for you (trans fat), some types are much less bad but still not great (saturated fat), and some types are actually good bordering on REALLY good (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat). It's the most scientifically proven supplement there is, with a seemingly endless number of benefits. Put it this way, it will improve your body's ability to do damn near everything (including lose fat). I fully explain all of this in my article about supplements here: Fish Oil). As for how much fat should be included in your weight loss diet plan.. So, if an example person figured out that their daily calorie intake should be 2. They'd then divide 6. Which means, this example person would eat about 6. Quite simply, the rest of your diet should be carbs. Once you factor protein and fat into your total calorie intake, whatever calories are left over to reach the number of calories you figured you need to eat per day.. So, for example, after factoring protein and fat into what you calculated your total calorie intake should be (5. In this example you would need to eat 3. More complex, lower glycemic, nutrient- rich foods are much more ideal for appetite control and overall health than simple, higher glycemic, highly processed junk. While you should definitely try to limit these . Everything you just read about protein, fat and carbs was to give you an idea of how to divide those calories up so that your weight loss diet plan is as balanced as possible. The guidelines mentioned aren't just ideal for weight loss, they're also ideal for good health in general. Right now you should not only know how to lose weight, but you should also know exactly what your specific weight loss diet plan should be so YOU can lose weight. You know how many calories you need to eat, and you know where those calories should come from. For the most part, you're done. It's a good feeling, isn't it? That's what Phase 3 will explain. Also, any questions that may have popped into your head during Phase 1 and 2 will be answered in Phase 3. How Much Protein Per Day To Build Muscle, Lose Fat & Be Healthy. As you now know, your daily protein intake plays an absolutely crucial role in terms of the overall health and function of your body. And if you want to lose fat, build muscle, or really just improve the way your body looks or performs in virtually any capacity, protein (and how much of it you eat per day) becomes even more important. So, now that you know why you need it, the question becomes how much of it do you need? Exactly how much protein is ideal for you, your diet, and your specific goal? Let’s answer that. So, here’s my recommendations for how to narrow it down to what’s best for you. This is just what I consider to be a good minimum daily protein intake for general health/function. Average healthy adult (male or female) that IS doing some form of exercise regularly or IS trying to improve their body (lose fat, build muscle, etc.). This is the minimum I’d recommend in this case. Average healthy adult FEMALE whose primary goal is building muscle, getting ? She’d simply multiply 1. Now let’s say a 1. He’d do 1. 80 x 1- 1. Basically, just multiply your current body weight in pounds by your recommended ideal protein intake. The answer you get is the ideal range for how many grams of protein you should eat per day. Did you do it? Your daily protein intake is now all figured out.(*NOTE* In the case of people of are VERY overweight, your ideal protein intake will be overestimated if you use your current body weight due to the excessive amount of fat on your body. So, for true obese individuals, your target body weight should be used instead. For example, a 3. As long as you are somewhere within that ideal range, your protein intake is absolutely perfect and it will produce the best results/benefits possible. The next thing you probably want to know is which foods you should get that protein from each day. She would do 1. 30 x 4 = 5. In this example, 5. Using the same 1. In this example, 8. Now it’s your turn. Multiply the ideal protein intake you calculated a minute ago by 4. That’s how many calories protein will account for in your diet each day. This step might seem pointless or confusing (or both) right now, but don’t worry. It will make perfect sense as we continue putting the rest of your diet plan together. Check out the entire guide here: The Best Diet Plan).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
August 2017
Categories |