BENEFITS OF EATING A HIGH-PROTEIN LUNCH

While there is a lot of controversy surrounding fats and carbohydrates, most people agree that protein is a highly important part of the diet. There are numerous health benefits associated with consuming a high-protein diet, from increased muscle mass to lowering the blood pressure.

Let’s take a look at more reasons why you need to consume a high-protein lunch:

1. More Muscle Mass and Less Fat

Proteins are the building blocks of our bodies. Thus, consuming a protein-rich diet helps maintain your current muscle mass. Furthermore, when you incorporate strength training into your routine, the protein will consequently help increase muscle mass.

Secondly, people who want to shed some fat but do not want to lose muscle can benefit from eating a high-protein diet.

For physically active people, protein is a crucial part of their diet as it helps in tissue repair and recovery.

2. Lowers Your Appetite

Everybody knows that we need fats, carbs, and protein in our diet. Of these three macronutrients, protein tends to be the most filling and the most satisfying.

There are two main reasons why you feel full quicker after eating a high protein lunch. Firstly, protein lowers the production of ghrelin, which is the hunger hormone, while simultaneously increasing the production of peptide YY, which makes you feel full.

Studies have shown that by increasing the protein intake, people feel full faster for longer, causing them to consume less food through the course of the day. Therefore, if you are planning on losing some weight around your midsection, consider replacing those potatoes with fish or bacon.

3. Higher Metabolism and More Fat Burning

The food we consume has a thermic effect. This is where our body's metabolism increases for a short time as the body burns energy for digestion.

That said, different types of food have different thermic effects. Between the macronutrients, protein has the highest thermic effect at up to 35%. Compare this to fat or carbs, which can have anywhere between 5% and 15%.

In fact, research shows that you can burn as much as a hundred calories a day only through eating a high-protein diet. Other studies have even shown that people can lose up to 260 calories a day. This is equivalent to an hour's training.

4. Healthier Bone Structure

There is the misconception that protein causes weaker bones. The idea stems from the belief that too much protein, especially from animals, results in a high acid load to the body. Consequently, this causes calcium to leak from the bones to neutralize the acid.

However, more recent studies have proven that people who consume a high-protein diet develop much healthier bones. Furthermore, they significantly reduce the chances of fractures or osteoporosis when they get older. Check out why organic meat is the future of protein.

Women are especially prone to osteoporosis after they hit menopause. Therefore, it is important to at least consume a high-protein lunch.

5. Lowers Blood Pressure

Are you concerned about your blood pressure skyrocketing after eating a high-protein lunch? Don’t be! Research shows that high levels of protein in our diet lowers both the systolic and diastolic blood pressures by 1.76mm and 1.15mm respectively.

Furthermore, a high-protein diet will also lower triglycerides, as well as the bad cholesterol low-density lipoprotein (LDL).

High blood pressure causes heart disease, kidney problems, and stroke. Therefore, consuming a high-protein lunch regularly can help reduce the likelihood of developing these health issues.

6. Not Harmful to Kidneys

Contrary to popular belief, more protein in your diet doesn’t cause your kidneys to overwork, resulting in damage.

Granted, people with existing kidney issues should avoid too much protein as the situation can quickly become life-threatening. On the other hand, studies have shown that people with healthy kidneys need not worry about consuming a high-protein meal.

In fact, they can reap many health benefits associated with a high-protein diet.

7. Helps in the Healing Process After an Injury

You can speed up your body’s recovery with a high-protein diet. This is not surprising as proteins form the building blocks of our muscles and tissues.

8. Stay Strong as You Grow Older

Our muscles naturally become weaker as we grow older. Consequently, a leading cause of reduced quality of life is sarcopenia. It is associated with frailty, including weak bones that fracture easily.

The simplest way to reduce muscle and bone loss is with a high-protein diet. This, combined with physical activity, can slow down and even build more muscle mass as you get older. Consider adding high protein plant-based foods to your diet. 

9. Reduces Late-Night Cravings

You might think those late-night cravings are caused by hunger. However, they are more about providing satisfaction to your brain in the middle of the night.

Late-night eating causes us to consume more calories than we need, resulting in weight and fat gain. Consequently, it becomes extremely difficult to lose body fat.

A high-protein lunch will keep you full for the rest of the day. Moreover, it is shown to significantly reduce cravings in teenage girls who are overweight. A study done on men showed that increasing the amount of protein consumed reduced the rate of late-night cravings by up to 60%.

10. Helps You Maintain a Low Weight

We’ve already seen that a high-protein diet increases the metabolism of our bodies while simultaneously causing us to feel fuller for longer. Consequently, we consume less throughout the day, resulting in weight loss.

However, while losing weight is one thing, keeping the weight down is a whole different challenge in itself. Research has also shown that increasing the amount of protein consumed by just 15% is enough to prevent further weight gain.

Conclusion

There is no denying that protein is an important part of our diet. However, many people are not aware of the many proven health benefits of following a high-protein diet. If your food mostly consists of fats and carbs, perhaps it is time you started cooking and regularly consuming a high-protein lunch.

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WHY ORGANIC MEAT IS THE FUTURE OF PROTEIN

It is becoming much harder every day to try and keep up with all the things we’re told are bad for us. Plastic is bad for the environment, cars cause immense pollution, and just about everything else we do will lead to the doom of mankind. While most of these assumptions tend to go a bit overboard with their alarmism, if there is one thing that you really need to be careful about, it is the food you put into your body, particularly the meat. Organic meat has been growing in popularity over the past few years, and for good reason. Here is why organic meat is the future of protein.

More fatty acids

Fatty acids are very important components for our health, mostly because our bodies don’t naturally form them. They reduce inflammation, boost cardiovascular health, provide energy, and do a host of other functions. While saturated fat percentages are very close in both organic and conventional meat, the amount of fatty acids in the former is exponentially higher –– close to 50% higher. Omega-3 fatty acids, in particular, were prevalent in organic meat, and they are very important components for our body, which is why this is the first reason why this is a better source of protein for your body.

No additives

This is perhaps the most important reason why organic meat is much better for your health. Non-organic meats are often injected with a lot of chemicals for a variety of reasons. Water, sodium phosphate, salt, and even sometimes hydrolyzed protein are added to the cuts to add moisture, extend shelf life, add tenderness, and even add flavor. While this practice is known and approved by the FDA, this means that the meat you are eating is not 100% natural, and a lot of additives are added to it.

Organic meat, on the other hand, does not have this problem, as no additives are added. This makes it an ultimately better source of protein that is much healthier for your body. Certified organic meat as you can see here does not contain any chemicals. It even tastes better, and you can still make your favorite dishes, too. The animals that produce that organic meat are treated much more humanely, and they are looked after to ensure the quality of that organic meat.

Antibiotics usage 

You might not know this, but animals who are raised non-organically are often treated with antibiotics, even if they are not sick! This happens because farmers noticed that those antibiotics help make the animals larger, so they were often given regularly to promote growth. Unfortunately, those have a very dangerous effect on the animals. For starters, the antibiotics kill the gut microbes, which can have a negative effect on humans, also promoting weight gain. Basically, those antibiotics linger in the meat and are often ingested by humans, causing all sorts of problems. 

Organic meat, on the other hand, does not come with this problem, because animals are rarely given antibiotics. If and when that happens, it will be because the animal is sick and requires immediate treatment, rather than being used for fattening purposes as with regular meat. This definitely makes organic meat a better option for protein as it does not come with the same amount of antibiotics as conventional products.

No chemicals

Even pesticides often make it to chicken tissue and other sources of protein as well. This happens because the food those animals are given is often treated with pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, and some of those linger on after slaughter. Organically raised animals aren’t allowed to consume such foods, and they are in turn healthier and much safer for humans to consume.

Hormone injections

Unfortunately, non-organic meat is also treated with hormones, which are used to speed growth, which helps reduce feeding costs and accelerate beef production. Some of those hormones are natural; others aren’t, but they are all approved by the FDA. There are theories that conclude that those hormones can cause serious metabolism and reproductive problems for humans, but research is still scarce in that area and it is not encouraged for obvious reasons. Organic meat comes with no hormones, which is ultimately better for your health as a consumer, and it definitely is a better source of protein for humans.

At the end of the day, organic meat is safer than conventional meat for the above-mentioned reasons. It contains many more useful components for your body, and also less harmful chemicals, antibiotics, and pesticides. This is why a lot more people are shifting towards organic meat, and it is definitely the future of protein.

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NEW YORK GASTROENTEROLOGIST SHARES 7 WAYS TO BEAT THOSE SUGAR CRAVINGS

Sugar cravings are a formidable opponent to anyone trying to stay on a nutritious path. Sugar cravings can attack in the middle of the day or night, and it takes the will power of a comic book hero to say no to such temptation. But what if we can identify and address the underlying reason why we feel such a need for sugar? New York internist and gastroenterologist, Dr. Niket Sonpal who is also a faculty member at Touro College of Medicine says,  “If more people could learn to pinpoint the reasons why they experience sugar cravings they would have better tools to avoid breaking their nutritional goals.”

Here are Dr. Sonpal’s 7 Ways to Conquer Sugar Cravings

Drink water; you might be dehydrated.

Many people mistake thirst for sugar cravings. “We know that we want something fresh and cold and we usually identify that with sugary drinks,” says Dr. Sonpal. “When our bodies have a deficiency in fluids, it can’t efficiently breakdown glycogen, and this causes the urge to consume something sugary. In reality, what you need to do first is drink water and observe how you feel,” he explains.

Try to Decrease Your Sugar Intake Gradually

Scans have shown that sugar fuels every cell in the brain.  “Our bodies view sugar as a reward. But too much of a good thing is not good at all in this case. By partaking in overconsumption of sugar you are reinforcing your body’s need for that reward, essentially becoming addicted to it,” explains Dr. Sonpal. But like many addictions, it is not a reasonable or sustainable strategy to quit cold turkey. If you feel as though you are out of control or moody without your first soft drink of the day or until you have a piece of chocolate, you need to consider slowly draining your system from that need for sugar.

Rethink social habits that drive you towards sugar

Many of us have social rituals during our day that help us destress amidst countless tasks and meetings. “If you have a standing ritual with a friend or coworker of eating a piece of cake after lunch every day or running to the coffee shop on the corner to get the most sugary caffeinated iced drink you can find, rethink those social behaviors,” says Dr. Sonpal. Try to put something else in place that is healthy but rewarding.

Evaluate your protein intake

Many famous diet plans like Paleo, Vegetarian, and Keto seek to reduce sugars in your food. Sometimes a good way to kick your sugar cravings to the curb is having some good ole’ fashion protein. “Protein reduces the speed with which your body processes sugars and in turn helps you need lower amounts to experience that reward. Eggs, black beans, broccoli, and chicken are really healthy ways to get that protein in to quench that yearn for sugar,” suggests Dr. Sonpal.

If push comes to shove, pick fruit

There will be times when your craving for sugar will be exacerbated by the stress of the day or however many days you’ve gone without consuming it. You may feel like you can have a cheat day. According to Dr. Sonpal, “Your best response to a worsening need for sugar is to eat a piece of fruit. If you get to a point where you feel frustrated, instead of eating processed sugar, eat fruit. Fruits are sweet and have natural sugar that can address your sweet tooth without throwing out your entire effort,” says the NYC gastroenterologist. With the fruit, you will get added vitamins and fiber.

Fiber is your friend

Fiber helps clean out your system, and it is processed more slowly by the body. Fiber helps you feel fuller for longer effectively reducing your craving for mid-meal snacks. “Many people will be very deliberate with their decision to reduce sugar in their meals but will ultimately cave in when their body needs a snack because a lot of the snacks we have in our pantry have sugar in them. Fiber and lots of water would help you stay full for longer periods,” Says Dr. Sonpal.

Observe your consumption of starch

Starches like white rice, white bread, pasta are complex carbs that the body process as simple carbs. They end up affecting the sugar levels in your body and feeding into your need for sugar as fuel for brain activity and energy. If you have cut out processed sugars but continue to eat an abundance of starches, then your next step is to progressively reduce your consumption of those foods as well to clean your system of the need for sugars.

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