Written by Sara Frenza (@sara_frenza)
If you haven’t yet leveraged the power of protein to peel away fat, preserve lean muscle mass, boost metabolism, curb appetite, and promote satiety, you’re missing a massive piece to the puzzle of building your best body. While each of the macronutrients—protein, carbohydrates, and fats—all have their time and place, nothing beats protein for achieving all of the above. So, here’s how you can do it, why you should do it, and when you should do it, all served up for you on a silver platter. Enjoy
1: Set Goals, to Gain—And Lose
Really optimize your progress by peeling away fat to reveal a tight, toned physique, and do it by establishing protein intake goals that align with your body’s specific needs. The recommended daily protein intake varies depending on factors like age, gender, activity level, and body composition goals. So, as a general guideline, aim for one gram of protein per pound of body weight, distributing it evenly across your meals and snacks throughout the day.
2: Lean Protein Sources for the Win
Next, incorporate lean protein sources into your meals to minimize excess calorie consumption. Include foods such as skinless chicken breast, turkey, fish, low-fat dairy products, eggs, and lean cuts of beef or pork. These options provide you with high-quality protein with minimal saturated fat content, ultimately providing satiety, and aiding with fat loss.
3: Prioritize Protein at Every Meal
Instead of building out meals willy nilly, make a conscious effort to include protein in every single instance—and make it the star. Begin your day with protein-rich breakfast options, like eggs, Greek yogurt, or protein shakes/smoothies. For lunch and dinner, load your plate with lean proteins accompanied by a hearty helping of veggies and whole grains. Snack on protein-rich foods like cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, and eggs between meals to maintain a steady supply of amino acids—the building blocks of protein—throughout the day.
4: Check Your Portions
While protein is essential for fat loss, portion control remains crucial. Be mindful of portion sizes to avoid excessive calorie consumption. Using food scales, or tried-and-true visual cues you can count on to gauge appropriate serving sizes. Consult with a registered dietician or nutrition coach for personalized guidance on portion control and balancing micronutrients for your specific needs.
5: PWO Never Tasted So Good
Protein shakes or powders can be convenient options to help you boost your protein intake, especially for individuals with busy lifestyles. Especially optimal for post-workout (PWO) when your body is craving nutrients to retain and build muscle. Protein shakes can also be used as a meal replacement or even a snack option, when whole food sources aren’t readily available. Rely on whole foods the majority of the time, and limit a protein shake to once per day, and you’ll be on your way.
6: Plan + Prep Around This Powerhouse
Meal planning and prep are key for ensuring a consistent protein intake on the daily. Set aside time each week to plan your meals and prepare protein-rich recipes in advance. Prepping grilled chicken, roasted salmon, protein muffins, or a batch of lean turkey meatballs will make it easier to incorporate protein into your meals and snacks throughout the week, even on the busiest of days.
7: Add Flavor + Flair
Experimentation is the spice of life. So, try different herbs, spices, and marinades to enhance the flavor of your protein-rich meals. This will help prevent monotony and make healthier food choices more enjoyable on the reg. Give some new recipes a go, explore different cooking techniques, and include a good variety of protein sources to keep your meals exciting, and satisfying.
Keep in mind: Increasing protein intake can support fat loss, but it is just one component of a comprehensive approach to health and balanced nutrition. Combine protein-rich meals and snacks with regular exercise, adequate hydration, and a well-rounded nutrient intake, all for sustainable fat-loss results.
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