All protein may not be created equal when it comes to weight loss. Whey or milk protein may offer people who want to slim down a slight edge over soy, a new study shows. Whey protein contains an amino acid called leucine, which aids the body in the fat burning process.
Most people, when trying to lose weight, i.e. body fat, make mistakes. They’ve heard that to reduce weight a calories deficiency is needed. It can be caused by additional, to normal activity, exercises, lower calories intake or both. Usually people cut back on calories intake significantly, what in long term brings adverse effects, as body reduces muscle mass in the first place, leaving body fat, the energy storage, as the last resort. People don’t pay attention to keeping muscles, focusing on scale readings. Please read below what can be done to improve weight (body fat) loss process.
Muscles are the cells that burn calories. Body fat cannot do it. So what happens when calories balance is too low? Firstly, the body slows down metabolism, to prepare itself for starvation. Secondly, it starts reducing muscle mass as, like already mentioned, muscles burn calories. The less muscles, the less calories burnt. This is quite obviously a huge disadvantage, because most of people, when thinking of reducing weight, think of getting rid of body fat.
Please bare in mind that the calories deficiency is crucial for weight loss. The main issue is to keep muscles while reducing body fat. And proteins are the nutrients that build and maintain muscles. So the ultimate solution is to increase protein intake, while keeping calories intake lower than normally. And this is where supplements, ie. whey protein, come in handy. You may think that you’re not a pro bodybuilder or any other athlete, but you may benefit from taking whey protein supplements as well, as high protein diets help reducing body fat.
This is why Whey protein helps you with weight loss
It is safe to write that whey protein is the most popular protein supplement. And it is for a reason. It’s derived from milk, hence suitable for vegetarians. Proteins it delivers are fast absorbing therefore muscles are fed pretty much immediately, what’s crucial especially after workout. Unlike other sources, like meat, it is packed with proteins and virtually free from fat and carbohydrates, so there are no unnecessary calories. A shake like this fills up stomach, what helps feeling less hungry for longer and keeping away from the fridge! In fact, whey has been proven to be superior to casein in terms of feeling full for longer. On the top of that, researches have shown that whey proteins are more efficient with assisting in reducing body fat than red meat proteins.
Whey protein has been proven to improve fat burning effects of exercising. This happens thanks to leucine, one of essential amino acids. So with some exercises your body increases lean muscles and reduces fat. In other words you tone up nicely!
Whey protein shakes come in various flavours. It is easy to pick the best tasting and use it to treat yourself. Every time you have a craving have a nice tasting, yet valuable snack. Furthermore, with unflavoured (natural) supplement, there’s a chance to mix it with favourite fruit, like strawberries or bananas, just to name a few. Not only it a rich source of proteins but also a source of natural vitamins and fibre.
If you’re feeling it’s worth trying here are a few tips for you:
- start with whey protein concentrate (WPC). It has lower protein content per serving, but it’s usually cheaper than other, more advanced supplements
- once you feel like you need to squeeze a bit more, try whey isolates. They are more expensive but come with more protein per serving (and less other stuff)
- try unflavoured supplement. Not all people like it, but it’s the cheapest and can be easily used with virtually any products, like fruit to form nice shake or as an add-on to home made full-grain bars or biscuits/snacks
- you can treat yourself with a nice tasting, flavoured shake. It not only boosts your mood, being fed up with diet, but is also valuable from nutrients point of view