Many people still think that protein drinks are mainly for those who want to gain huge muscle mass and increase their volume. However, this is not entirely true and protein can be a very effective aid in weight loss as well. In our article today, we will therefore look at how to choose the best protein for weight loss and what benefits you get from taking it.
What is the link between protein and weight loss?
When it comes to sports nutrition, you'd be hard pressed to find a more talked about macronutrient than protein. Their importance to our bodies is absolutely pivotal and without them we simply could not exist. Their effects on the human body are well documented and studied. Proteins are the building blocks of all the matter in our body and, apart from muscles, they are also extremely important for our organs and connective tissues.
However, in addition to these basic functions, proteins also play an absolutely crucial role in weight loss. Of all the macronutrients, protein provides the greatest sense of satiety, which significantly reduces cravings for more food. In addition, the body has to expend a greater amount of energy when processing them. This increases the thermic effect and makes fat burning more efficient. They also help maintain muscle mass during weight loss and increased energy expenditure.
So during weight loss, we should increase our protein intake to somewhere around 1.5-2.2 g per kilogram of body weight. However, we have written more about this in our article How much protein to take daily? But this can be extremely difficult for many of us "to eat" and this is where protein drinks come in.
Why use protein for weight loss?
Using protein in your diet is basically not necessary. If you can ensure that you get enough protein from your diet, you certainly don't need toworry about not including a protein drink in your diet. However, it is a great helper.
In fact, protein drinks are an excellent alternative to various snacks and "in-between meals". Although they come in a liquid form, they are a great way to fight off hunger and their sweet taste can easily overcome the craving for a treat. However, you can also use them as flavourings in various diet buns or porridges.
Most of today's proteins also contain various additives in the form of vitamins, minerals or digestive enzymes. These can be extremely useful when dieting, as the body can respond to a significant change in the way it eatsand more sensitive individuals are unlikely to experience digestive problems.
So what is the best protein for the diet?
Of course, you want to limit the intake of carbohydrates in the diet, so the answer is directly offered. The ideal dietary proteins are those that contain minimal amounts of carbohydrates. Usually these are whey protein isolates, which usually have their carbohydrate content kept to a minimum. But you don't have to worry about whey protein concentrates either .They are processed with practically the same quality processes. The recreational athlete will find virtually no difference in their effects.
What about plant proteins?
Concentrates and isolates are usually made on the basis of milk whey, which poses a problem for vegans or, for example, lactose intolerant people. An interesting alternative to these can be various plant-based proteins, of which there are also many on the market.
Plant proteins are available in many variants. They can be based on peas, rice, hemp or pumpkin. There is still a myth among people that plant proteins are inferior to whey proteins and that they are harder to digest. In some cases, these protein sources may be inferior, but with a well-balanced diet, you can eliminate the differences.
Well, that's it for this article. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments.
Why can you trust us?
Hey! Hey! I'm Mirek and I've been working at World Fitness almost since the beginning, except for a small break. But before that I lived only in the gym for a few years, doing deadlifts and power triathlon, going to competitions and winning a few medals.
Probably the one I value the most is the national record in the WUAP federation. But besides working out, I was also interested in food and supplements, I liked to enjoy my free timeI used to read different researches and professional books in my free time to know as much as possible.