Supplementing your diet with protein powder can actually help you lose weight.
When you think of protein powder, I have no doubt that you think of body builders grunting around the gym, sipping protein powder like a snack, in their stringy tank tops and gym shorts. While that is definitely a typical image, protein powder can actually be beneficial for more than building huge muscles.
If you have ever had a protein shake, you know that it definitely helps you feel full. This can be beneficial if you are trying to lose weight, because it can keep you satisfied in between meals. If you are working out, it is even more beneficial because it helps build and maintain muscle mass. Protein reduces the levels of a hunger hormone called ghrelin, and also boosts appetite-reducing hormones as well, which helps you intake less calories. As long as you are burning more calories than you ingest, you will lose weight.
When your body has adequate protein, it also keeps your metabolism going. 20-30% of the calories from protein you ingest are burned while your body actually digests and metabolizes it. Protein also helps you burn more calories, even when you sleep.
With a high protein diet you can boost your metabolism by burning 80-100 more calories per day. One school of thought is to constantly ingest protein, so your body keeps metabolizing and working, and thereby burning fat, too. It can also be beneficial to add a scoop of protein powder to meals that are low in protein, to keep your body working, and your diet balanced.
READ MORE: Five Signs You Aren’t Getting Enough Protein
The recommended intake for protein is 46-56 grams per day, which isn’t a lot. If you are trying to lose weight, 30% of your daily caloric intake should come from protein sources. The best way to do this is by adding protein to every meal, whether that comes from food, or protein powder. You can pick up protein powder almost anywhere, but I have personally tried the below brand, and found it to be tasty, and easy to drink (which is a big plus, when it comes to protein powders). It also comes in banana and cake batter flavors, so you might even enjoy it!
The bottom line however, is that adding protein to every meal can only benefit you, as long as you are staying active and burning calories in tandem.
