Adequate protein to lose weight

The next question may stun you, but are you getting enough protein to lose weight? Most people associate getting more protein in the diet with bulking up, something that weight builders want to do. This includes a diet higher in protein than many other people would eat. In fact, because the most common sources of protein are also high in fat and calories – animal proteins, most of us begin to cut protein from our diet in an effort to lose weight.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Atkins diet where carbohydrates and sugars are eliminated in favor of high protein foods. Now both of these work to lose weight, but the high protein diets are not good for the body in the long term so it is a good idea to put yourself slowly back on carbohydrates after doing the Atkins diet and then find a way to eat regularly.

The problem of getting adequate protein to lose weight must be considered when a person takes up weightlifting as part of his weight loss regimen. It is true that weight lifting burns more calories than any other exercise, but if you are not taking in a little extra protein the body will use the calories it gets instead to maintain its fuel sources.

You should not only make sure you are getting adequate protein while you are trying to lose weight, but if you are engaging in body building as part of your workout, you should probably take in a higher proportion of protein rich foods as part of your caloric intake. If your goal is to lose weight, you should have cut down on protein overall.

But the question what is an adequate amount of protein to lose weight for the person who has incorporated weight lifting as part of his overall weight loss goals. Carbohydrates still should make up the largest portion of your diet to ensure good nutrition, but protein should take up somewhere between 15-20%, preferably hovering around the lower end. The reason for this is not because protein helps burn fat – the exercises and the reduction in your caloric intake will do that, but because the body needs protein to build the muscle that you have been working, you should take in a larger percentage than you normally would. This does not necessarily have to been in meat format, although it is the most effective way – combinations of vegetables, nuts and grains can ensure that the body has enough protein to work with.

So, the question really is not whether you are eating adequate protein to lose weight, but whether or not you are taking in enough protein if you are working your muscles harder than you normally would. Changes in the percentage of what a person relying on aerobics would take in. Most people are probably getting an adequate amount of protein to lose weight without making any changes to their diet. Analyzing your caloric intake if there is a problem may be help you determine if changes are needed.

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