Proteins

Ever notice all the contradictions about protein's roll in a weight loss diet? Some diet plans promote a high protein intake while others ignore it. What's the real story?

Protein is vital to your health and cannot be eliminated without serious consequences. Too little protein means your body starts using up muscle tissue for fuel, which slows down your metabolism and a sluggish metabolism makes weight loss even more difficult.

But too much protein can also impede your efforts to lose weight because your body will convert it into fat. And excess protein can cause health problems like kidney damage and decreased absorption of calcium.

This is why a balanced intake of protein is necessary for a health weight loss diet. How much and how often you eat it are also important factors. Your body can't store protein, so it needs a constant supply throughout the day. So eating a protein-rich food every three or four hours will keep you in balance.

Eating Protein The Right Way

Saving up your daily protein allotment so you can indulge in a 16 ounce steak for dinner doesn't work because it forces the body to go a long time without any protein and then suddenly it gets much more than it needs. That causes it to burn muscle during the lean times, and later convert all that extra meat protein into fat... two unwanted side effects that will derail even the best weight loss diet.

Here are some tips:

• Eat small protein portions every 3 to 4 hours each day.
• Eat only one protein serving four times a day, don't double them up in one meal.
• Don't skip a protein meal; and don't eat a large protein meal.
• Choose proteins from a low fat or no fat food source.