High Protein Diets
More Effective at Maintaining Weight Loss
According to a recent weight loss study, overweight people who
lost weight on low-calorie diets were able to maintain their
weight loss more effectively by following a higher protein diet.
Weight Loss Study
The study involved 120 people who had lost about 13 pounds in four
weeks by following a very low-calorie diet. They were then split
into two groups - one group followed a moderately restricted diet
while the other group followed a diet similar in calories but
higher in protein content.
As a partial replacement for lunch, the high-protein group
received a protein drink that resulted in an additional 30 grams
of protein per day. The high-protein diet provided 18 percent of
its energy as protein, compared with 15 percent protein in the
control diet.
Weight Regain Reduced on High Protein Diet
After six months, those on the high-protein diet had regained two
pounds, while those on the control diet had regained about 6.6
pounds.
Further, body mass regained by those in the high-protein group was
of fat-free mass, according to researchers.
Waist Circumference in Weight Loss Study
There were also differences in waist circumference at the end of
the 6-month study. Those following the high-protein diet lost an
average 1.2 cm around the waist while those on the control gained
0.5 cm.
High Protein Diet and Satiety
Also, those on the high-protein diet reported higher feelings of
satiety and had a higher respiratory quotient than the control
group.
Researchers concluded that additional protein intake may
contribute to storage of fat-free mass and increase satiety and
may result in improved weight maintenance.
Source: European Congress of Obesity Helsinki Finland, June 4,
2003
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