Does your diet lack adequate protein?

30% of American women don’t get enough protein, says the USDA.  Are you one of them?

Take a look at your dinner plate tonight.  Is it filled with a healthy balance of lean proteins (fish, chicken, turkey) complex carbohydrates (green, red, and orange vegetables, brown rice) and healthy fats (salmon, walnuts, flaxseed)?

If not, you may have fallen victim to a common misunderstanding about what comprises a diet that is not only healthy, but also promotes weight loss.

In an effort to lose weight and cut out fat, many women opt for a high carbohydrate, low protein diet.  Here’s the problem: these diets leave us feeling hungry and less satiated than one with more protein and a bit of fat.  The result?  We unwittingly eat more, thus taking in more calories.  In fact, in a study published in the Journal PLos ONE, researchers found people who reduced their protein intake by just 5% increased their calorie consumption by 260 cal per day.  That’s a 38 pound weight gain over the course of a year!  (For the record, the USDA recommends 50 grams of protein daily for children over 4 and adults).

The body is smart.  When provided a well-balanced diet, it rewards us with satiety.  Imagine that.