Tanya Wilson authors and researches health related topics for dietivity.com. You can view her profile on elance.com or visit her informal page on squidoo.com.
Wow, Kellogg’s Special K2O protein water, yet another product that we can drink to help us lose weight. Manufacturers must think we don’t like to chew our food!
Sarcasm aside, the concept of protein being used to curb appetite is nothing new; just ask those who have found success with diets like Atkins. It’s actually the science that has had to catch up with the experience of dieters who will swear that high-protein and low-carb is the way to go. But do you have to throw out all that yummy flour-based goodness and go carnivore? Must you sacrifice the serotonin boost of carbohydrates and deal with nasty side effects of some high protein diets? Absolutely not! Science is now proving that protein does indeed curb appetite, but that this phenomenon is more of a useful tool for dieters, rather than a radical all-or-nothing lifestyle change. What’s more, manufacturers like Kellogg’s, are now giving us lots of ways to apply this tool in a safe and healthy manner to our weight loss plans.
In a study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, participants were put on a series of three diets. The first two weeks’ diet was 15% protein, 35% fat, and 50% carbohydrate. The second two weeks’ diet plan consisted of 30% protein, 20% fat, and 50% carbohydrate. Dieters had to eat all the food served to them. Then, for the third round, the diet plan remained at 30% protein, 20% fat, and 50% carbohydrate (like the second two weeks), but this time, participants were allowed to eat as much or as little as they wanted. The end result was that on the third round, when participants could eat to their hearts’ content, they didn’t eat as much. That’s because with the higher protein content they reported greater satiety. This led to lower caloric intake, and hence significant weight loss. They not only lost weight, but also felt full! Notice, the subjects still consumed carbs (50%) as they did in the low protein diet. The difference was that the fats were replaced by lean protein.
So, what this means is that instead of reaching for something “fattening” like chips to snack on, reach for a small bowl of low-fat cottage cheese, or yogurt. Or instead of sugary soda or juice, have a glass of skim milk. Products such as Kellogg’s K2O mentioned earlier or protein bars, add easy protein rich nutrition to your daily dieting arsenal. They come in a slew of varieties. Whether you’re in the mood to eat or drink, or want something sweet or salty, you can find something that satisfies.
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