There is some misinformation about that HIGH protein diets are potentially dangerous.
The truth is that any nutrient in food consumed to excess will have a detrimental effect on the human body and at Motivation we offer safe, medically supervised, scientifically proven weight loss programmes which improve all areas of health while ensuring healthy FAT loss.
Any healthy eating plan either for weight loss or general good health comes down to getting the correct ratios of MACRO NUTRIENTS. These are CARBOHYDRATES, PROTEIN AND GOOD FATS.
Both fats (essential fatty acids) and protein (essential amino acids) cannot be manufactured by the body, so need to be ingested through what we eat.
In regard to protein, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends 0.8 grams per kilo of IDEAL body weight, this is concurrent with Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations. This is minimum depending on how active the individual is, it goes up to 1.8 for those who train often and consistently.
ALL OF MOTIVATION’S WEIGHT LOSS PLANS ARE WITHIN THESE RECOMMENDATIONS.
Other factors which need to be considered when gauging the correct amount of protein include:
- Carb intake – Carbs are protein sparing. When glucose is present this is used for fuel and protein less likely to be broken down for energy. On a low carbohydrate eating plan, protein needs are therefore higher.
- Weight goals – If trying to lose weight protein intake needs to be higher, it is very important to get the right level to ensure the sparing of fat burning muscle.
For weight loss, protein intake can be calculated by IDEAL body weight in kilos multiplied by 1.2 for a more sedentary lifestyle and up to x 1.8 for extremely active clients. We use an average of 1.5.
The reason for this is that on a calorie controlled diet the goal is for the body to use energy from fat stores. However, without adequate protein, muscle tissue will be used as well. Protein will protect this lean muscle tissue ensuring faster fat loss, exactly what you want for inch loss and healthy internal organs. This leads to a more favourable body composition which means you can achieve the silhouette you’ve always wanted.
Urea is one of the markers used to establish if too much protein is in the system. Kidneys are responsible for the excretion of urea and elevated levels are a sign of excess protein. In close on 25 years we have never had a case of elevated urea levels in clients on a Motivation plan.
Protein is very satiating as well as ensuring a feeling of well-being by eliminating peaks and troughs in blood sugar levels which lead to overeating and cravings for sweet and fatty foods.
At Motivation we make sure that clients have an ADEQUATE intake of protein, it is certainly not high in comparison to what they would have eaten prior to joining the programme.
