- Those with a diet low in protein likely to gorge on carbohydrates and fat
- Proportion of protein in Western diets has dropped – which could account for obesity levels
- Poeple must eat enough protein to satisfy appetites, scientists say
- Protein is essential for the healthy growth and repair of body tissues
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Instead of counting calories, those seeking to stay slim are better off enjoying a protein rich diet and eating fish, eggs and meat, scientists have found.
Because of the way the human body prioritises protein over carbohydrates and fat, those with a diet low in protein are likely to gorge on these other food groups to reach the target protein level.
Over the past 60 years the proportion of protein in Western diets has dropped, and researchers suggest this could account for soaring levels of obesity.
Losing weight: Instead of counting calories, those seeking to stay slim are better off enjoying a protein rich diet and eating eggs and meat such as chicken breasts, scientists have found
Weighty issue: Over the past 60 years the proportion of protein in Western diets has dropped, and researchers suggest this could account for soaring levels of obesity
‘We can use this information to help manage and prevent obesity,
through ensuring that the diets we eat have a sufficient level of
protein to satisfy our appetite,’ said nutritional ecologist Professor David Raubenheimer, of the University of Sydney.
Professor Raubenheimer is set to present his findings today at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Experimental Biology in Manchester, and says they may explain why high protein diets such as the Atkins Diet can help people to lose weight.
However, he warned such diets could lead to further health issues, as it was more important to achieve the correct nutritional balance.
Best avoided: Professor Raubenheimer says our bodies are not adapted to biscuits, cakes, pizzas and sugary drinks
‘We also need to get the balance
of fats to carbs right,’ he said.
‘High protein diets might help us to lose weight, but
if they involve other imbalances then other health problems will be
introduced.’
As well as being a good source of energy, protein is essential for the healthy growth and repair of body tissues, such as muscles including the heart, internal organs and skin.
ACHIEVING THE RIGHT BALANCE: GOOD SOURCES OF PROTEIN
Turkey and chicken breast
Fish such as tuna and salmon
Low-fat cheese varieties such as cottage cheese or mozzarella
Pork Loin
Lean beef and veal
Tofu
Beans
Eggs
Yoghurt, milk and soy milk
Nuts and seeds
Professor Raubenheimer’s team studied
baboons living on the edge of human settlements, and found that despite
eating different combinations of foods every day the apes achieved a
consistent balance where 20 per cent of their energy needs came from
protein.
Other studies found that spider monkeys and
orang-utans, too, foraged for a balanced diet. But when seasonal
availability of some foods prevented them from getting a balanced diet,
they prioritised getting the right amount of protein even if this meant
eating too much or too little fats and carbohydrates.
The researchers concluded that measuring a food’s nutritional content by its calorie count was too simplistic, and that overall achieving the correct nutritional balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats was more important.
When foods are nutritionally balanced, there is no competition
between these appetite systems, and when one nutrient requirement is
satisfied, so too are the others.
Many foods however, are unbalanced and
have a higher or lower proportion of protein to carbohydrate than is required.
Therefore, to obtain the right amount of protein it may be necessary to over or under-eat fats and carbohydrates.
The researchers are currently investigating how the balance
of carbohydrates and fats affects the health of laboratory mice.
Professor Raubenheimer concluded with his own advice for dietary
health.
‘A simple rule for healthy eating is to avoid processed foods –
the closer to real foods the better,’ he said.
‘Whilst it is clear that humans are
generalist feeders, no human population has until recently encountered
“ultra-processed foods†– made from industrially extracted sugars,
starches and salt.
Our bodies and appetites are not adapted to biscuits,
cakes, pizzas and sugary drinks and we eat too much of them at our
peril.’Â
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annie2010,
lancashire,
moments ago
AKA Atkins diet..
mailman,
London,
8 minutes ago
Fats aren’t your enemy per-say. It’s the wrong kind of fats that pile the pounds on you. Basic rule of thumb, if it’s processed (margarine) stay away from it! Good fats (the fat in meat) is healthy and helps to keep hunger pains away.
gardenpea,
Colonia, Germany,
11 minutes ago
Well, nothing new here. We have known this for a long time.
Arm,
Reading,
11 minutes ago
The reason there is more obesity now is very simple – 3 meals a day is no longer the norm; many people do no exercise other than getting in and out of their cars; cheap snack food and high sugar drinks are readily available and easily accessible everywhere. When I was a child in the 60?s the only time we had fizzy pop was as a birthday treat and sweets were limited to a few chews and gobstoppers! There were no huge supermarkets full of food, just small corner shops with a limited range of basics. We walked or cycled to school and played outside during weekends and holidays. A ‘back to basics’ diet is balanced and coupled with exercise, would solve all the obesity problems!
Margaret,
Auckland NZ,
14 minutes ago
Portion size is the key to losing weight especially as you get older Eating like a fit active teenager you might once have been wont work when you are 50
pepper,
lincoln,
17 minutes ago
REALLY??!!!! They needed researchers to find this out??!!!! I cut out potatoes, bread, pasta, rice, one glass of wine a day with dinner and just had fish, meat, eggs, salad, vegetables and fruit for a month and lost a stone; there free advice that works. Can I have the researcher’s fee now please :O~
Pedro Cerveza,
Christchurch, New Zealand,
18 minutes ago
Rubbish
Sooz,
Surbiton, United Kingdom,
18 minutes ago
just eat less !! simples !!!
jtr,
manchester, United Kingdom,
19 minutes ago
I eat a good balanced diet and I am handsome and my address is obtainable thro the DM at a price .
null,
20 minutes ago
Aitken’s diet? Is this news?
Poppy,
The Real World, United Kingdom,
5 minutes ago
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