Nutrition Protein: Why or Why not you would Recommend a High Protein Diet?

Nutrition Protein
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Nutrition Protein
We all think that high protein diets are only essential to bodybuilders and marathoners: it is time we change our course of thinking. High protein diets do not only build muscles and optimize body composition; they also help in curbing hunger, weight loss as well as enhance satiety. A long term weight loss research shows that those who strictly follow a high protein diet lose more weight than those who follow a medium diet (Due et al., 2004). Therefore, the following reasons explain why high protein diet is essential for those who desire to lose weight.
* Proteins satisfy and save calories at the same time. Having enough proteins in the body enables one to be full for long and slows down digestion making one more satisfied reducing the chances of going for a second meal after few hours.
* Proteins require more energy. “Thermic effect of food” (TEF), is the amount of energy that is used to break food into small absorbable substances. TEF of proteins is higher compared to that of carbohydrates and fats meaning one burns more calories to process proteins than the other two.
* It increases fat burning in the body. It is evident that the body cannot effectively burn and use fat as energy without help from either the other two (proteins or carbohydrates). As one loses weight, the muscles and fat loses too. During this process one should continue taking high protein diets since they fuel fat burning and preserve calorie-burning at the same time ((Martens & Westerterp-Plantenga, 2014).
* Proteins promote muscle growth and repair. Proteins in the body need to be increased especially after intense exercises; therefore, increasing protein intake is beneficial during the days of exercises. Additionally, after the training sessions, the muscles are sensitive to nutrients that help to repair and grow; proteins come in handy (Martens & Westerterp-Plantenga, 2014).
However, taking high protein diets alone will not help one to lose weight in a healthy manner. Consuming excessive amounts of protein can lead to weight gain like fats and carbohydrates do and may put unnecessary strain on kidneys.