Using whey protein for weight loss is an excellent way to achieve dieting goals. Whey protein is effective because it helps to build muscle and increase one’s energy. It is also effective because it creates a feeling of fullness, reducing cravings for snacks. Together with an exercise plan and careful diet, whey protein can help in weight loss.
Whey is a part of milk that is very high in protein and is separated as a by-product during cheese making. The isolated proteins from whey are called whey protein and can be purchased in powdered form and added into drinks and shakes. Whey is historically thought to have medicinal qualities and is now valued for its anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer qualities; it is also used by athletes and body builders to encourage muscle growth.
One reason why individuals value whey protein for weight loss is because it helps to build muscle. Whey protein is very high in protein, and protein is involved in building muscle and repairing damaged muscles. Using this protein supplement while exercising to lose weight may help fat turn into muscle more quickly. This is one reason why whey protein is often used as a body building supplement.
Using whey protein for weight loss is also effective because it helps to decrease appetite. High protein foods take a long time for the body to process and digest, and therefore are known to create a feeling of satiety and fullness that lasts much longer than one feels with carbohydrate-rich foods. Eating whey protein with a meal could help one feel full after eating less and can help one feel full longer between meals, reducing the desire for snacking.
The fact that whey protein takes a long time for the body to digest because of its high protein content has another benefit to taking it for weight loss: energy. Whey protein is a long-lasting source of fuel for the body, making one feel energized all day long, avoiding lows between meals. Feeling energetic can help individuals to be more active and feel more motivated for physical activity, and therefore help them to lose weight.
Some good ways to use whey protein for weight loss include using a whey protein shake as a meal replacement. A shake can be consumed for breakfast, lunch or for a small-meal replacement, such as a mid-afternoon snack. It is best to drink a whey-protein shake directly after a workout since whey protein encourages the building and recovery of muscles.
It must be noted that using whey protein for weight loss can actually result in weight gain, but fat lost. Muscle weighs more than fat, and whey protein encourages muscle growth. Replacing fat with muscle will result in a heavier body weight, but a more toned-looking body and a leaner body mass index. One must also be careful to read the nutrition label before using whey protein powder. There are different kinds of powder, and while many are very healthy and low in calories, others contain sugar and are calorie rich, which may encourage weight gain.
