Last week I wrote on the Thermic Effect of foods. The conversation highlighted how Protein has the highest Thermic Effect from food in the body. Meaning the body uses more energy to process protein than other macronutrients. Eating Protein helps increase your metabolism.

Staying on Protein, let’s look at some other advantages on why this macro-nutrient is important for fat loss.

Protein helps with satiety, helping you feel full and keeping hunger pangs at bay. Some research has shown that people will keep eating until their protein requirements are met. If you are eating foods low in protein then you will eat more of these foods according to this research.

Diets with a high amount of protein in each meal will lead to eating less spontaneously due to this feeling of being full. A big factor in fat loss, as you will not be snacking and grazing (leading to over consumption of calories) between meals.

Adding to the fact that protein helps you feel fuller quicker and for longer it must also be noted that proteins are the structural elements of the body. Your body (organs and cells) can not be built, repaired, or maintained without protein. Protein is essential for life.

Eating sufficient protein makes losing weight easier whilst providing essential building blocks to the body.

Put all these benefits of protein together and it highlights the importance of including adequate protein for a healthy diet. Especially if fat loss is your goal.