Belly Fat Loss Is Impossible Without Adequate Protein ConsumptionIf you are having problems reducing belly fat, eating too little protein could be your problem. Protein is the only nutrient which causes the body to build muscle. Muscle helps supercharge your
metabolism for fat loss.
Proteins can be classified as complete or incomplete. Complete proteins contain all amino acids that are used for cellular work, tissue repair and synthesis, for making hormones and enzymes and for energy production.
Complete proteins come from animal sources like eggs, meats and cheeses. You have to be smart about how much animal protein you eat because these sources can contain a lot of fat. Try and eat mostly lean meats like chicken and turkey, eggs, fish and low fat dairy products. By the way, eggs and milk have the highest protein value.
Incomplete proteins lack all essential amino acids and come from vegetables, fruits, grains and nuts. If you are a vegetarian it’s very important to eat a variety of proteins to insure that you’re getting in adequate protein. You have to watch out for nuts because they do contain lots of fat. So don’t go around all day throwing them back by the handfuls.
To aid in your battle
against belly fat, protein powders
can be a great source of high quality, low fat, low carbohydrate protein. I use protein powder mixed with water as a quick, nutritious snack when between clients.
How much Protein is enough? According to the Harvard School of Public Health, your minimum daily requirement of protein is 7 grams for every 20 pounds of body weight (.8g for every kilogram of body weight). But, if you are doing weight training and/or bodybuilding your needs will be greater. Amounts of 1g per pound of lean body weight might be necessary in this case. It’s not necessary to go on a high protein diet in order to lose belly fat however. For most people having 20-30% calories come from lean, low fat protein sources is adequate. Eating foods high in the amino acid Leucine has proven to help reduce fat and especially belly fat while helping you preserve muscle. For most people having 20-30% calories come from lean, low fat protein sources is adequate. Eating foods high in the amino acid Leucine has proven to help reduce fat and especially belly fat while helping you preserve muscle. High protein diets can put a big strain on your kidneys. In fact, according to the American Kidney Foundation, high protein diets can scar your kidneys as they attempt to process the extra waste from these types of diets. Never, never combine a high protein-low calorie diet. This can result in a condition known as Metabolic Acidosis which can kill you! If you do eat high amounts of protein drink at least a gallon of water a day to pass urea and in order to avoid dehydration, constipation and abnormal heart rhythms. In training women over the years I have found that most of them do not eat enough protein. When losing weight they eat lots of salads without any protein in sight. And when they weight train they don’t take in additional protein. When I have them start adding protein to their diets, guess what?....they start losing weight and body fat. Now guys are a different story. Most men have never met a big ‘ole steak that they didn’t like. Men seem programmed to eat lots of meat. So getting in enough protein isn’t their problem. It’s getting in high quality, low fat protein in smaller quantities, that’s their problem. Men-MOVE AWAY from the hamburgers, please.
Fighting dangerous belly fat takes a smart approach to living. You have to watch what you eat, how much you eat and when you eat it. Taking in adequate amounts of protein in order to jump start your metabolism is in order. Along with adequate exercise, sleep, laughter, music, dancing and good friends, you’ll start to see your belly fat disappear.
Well, what's it gonna be? Success, or excuse?
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