Health N Wellness Blog

Tall protein, low carbohydrate diets have been the craze for many years. For some these diets work well – at minimum initially. The problem is, low carbohydrate diets can be difficult to adhere with long-term. Some people conclusion up gaining back the weight they lost – and more. Now, a modern study suggests that a tall protein diet containing lots of meat could be detrimental when it comes to weight loss. Can reducing meat consumption assist you lose weight?

Eat Less Meat, Lose Weight?

In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, European researchers looked at the body weights and eating habits of more than 370,000 adult men and women of all ages. After determining their baseline weight and altitude, they followed their eating habits for five years. What they found flies in the face of what the Atkin’s diet teaches. They found that men and women who ate larger amounts of meat were more likely to profit weight.

How much did eating more meat contribute to weight profit? Those men and women who increased their meat intake by the equivalent of a steak a day gained an average of 4.5 pounds per year. Surprisingly, this held right for all types of meat including packaged meats, red meat, chicken, pork, and turkey – and for both men and women.

Is Eating Less Meat the Answer to Weight Loss?

This isn’t the first study to exhibit an organization between lower meat consumption and lighter body weights. A 2005 Swedish study found that vegetarians, vegans, and those who don’t eat red meat were less likely to be overweight than meat eaters. Several other studies exhibit that vegetarians and people who eat less meat weigh less on average.

Should You Eat Less Meat to Lose Weight?

Protein naturally increases satiety, which means people who eat meat and other tall protein foods eat fewer calories overall. This is something to consider before really giving up meat. The fact that meat-eaters profit more weight, according to some studies, may be related to the fact that meat is often tall in stout  – although this study showed that even poultry, which is generally leaner than red meat, was associated with weight profit.

Reducing Meat Consumption to Lose Weight

Since protein is generally more filling than carbohydrates, it’s vital to get an adequate quantity (at minimum 1 milligram per kilogram of body weight per day), but that doesn’t mean it has to come from meat. Other excellent sources are eggs, tofu, chick peas, lentils, quinoa, and the many meat substitutes on the market these days. Whether you get your protein mostly from beans and lentils, be certain to eat a complimentary protein source such as brown rice to supply the lost amino acids. Fish is too a excellent source of protein, but choose one that’s low in mercury and other contaminants.

Whether you’re not alert to give up meat, choose leaner cuts of meat – and watch the preparation. Avoid frying meats – grill, broil, or stir-fry them instead. Choose light meat turkey and chicken instead of red meat whenever possible.

Whether You Eat Less Meat, Will You Lose Weight?

Attempt eating less meat for a month – and substitute other vegetarian forms of protein and fish instead. Keep a food dairy and record your weight every week – to see whether you’re losing weight. Some people do seem to do better on a diet that contains less meat. Plus, it’s healthier for your heart. See whether it works for you.

References:

Medical News Nowadays website. “Decreased Meat Intake May Assist Weight Loss And Preserve Healthy Bodyweight”

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2005; 81:1267-74.