What is protein?
We’ve all heard of dietary protein, and we’ve probably all heard that we should be eating more of it. But what exactly is it?
Protein is an essential macronutrient made up of chains of amino acids. When we digest anything we’ve eaten or drunk, the protein that was in this is broken down into amino acids in the intestine. Once these amino acids are absorbed, the body uses them to build all the different proteins it needs to function properly and keep us healthy. There are many thousands of different proteins in the body that all play a huge variety of roles, from keeping our muscles and bones healthy to supporting our immune function, to helping us manage our appetite. Protein really does play a vital role in so many metabolic processes within the body.
This article explores why protein is such an important macronutrient for weight management and discusses why it should be incorporated into scientifically formulated meal replacements, including VLCDs, such as those offered by LighterLife.
The Role of Protein in a VLCD: Dietary Importance and health benefits
When following a VLCD, you replace the whole of your daily diet with formula foods, like our soups, shakes, and bars. These are specifically designed to support your nutritional needs during weight loss. This means even though your calorie intake is significantly reduced, you can be sure you’re getting adequate amounts of all the nutrients, including protein to support healthy weight loss.
There are different kinds of dietary proteins and these are ranked from higher quality to lower quality based on their amino acid composition. The higher quality, or ‘complete proteins’ contain all the ‘essential’ amino acids which are ones the body can’t make and so must come from the diet. Lower quality proteins aren’t complete and are often missing some, or even all the essential amino acids.
‘Complete proteins’ are from animal-derived sources i.e. dairy, meat and eggs, although some plant foods (i.e. soya) are also complete proteins.
So, because you are replacing the whole of the daily diet when on a VLCD, and because you now also know that there are some amino acids that we can only get from our diet, it is essential to ensure that you are consuming enough higher quality or ‘complete proteins’ each day. This means that the type of protein used when formulating a VLCD is very important and is generally a good way to tell if you are looking at a good quality VLCD versus a poorer quality one.
Most formula based foods generally use proteins which mostly come from animal or soya products. This is an easy way to ensure that you are getting the full complement of amino acids which are essential for good health during weight loss and maintenance.
So why do we need to ensure we get enough protein, and in the case of VLCDs, enough of the higher quality protein? Well, this is important because dietary protein helps to:
- Preserve Muscle Mass: During rapid weight loss the body may risk breaking down muscle for energy if the correct macronutrient balance is not provided. Adequate protein intake, like those which are specifically formulated within meal replacement products including very low calorie diets, alongside the correct amount of carbohydrates, helps prevent you from disproportionately breaking down lean muscle tissue whilst simultaneously encouraging fat loss.
- Reduce Physical Hunger and Cravings: Protein is the most satiating of all macronutrients and there is a huge body of literature supporting its role in helping to manage appetite and cravings, which will ultimately help make it easier to adhere to a VLCD.
- Support Immune Function and Recovery: Protein is essential for immune function and tissue repair and alongside the essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals also found in a VLCD, it helps support overall health.
Incorporating Protein in Formula-Based VLCDs
Rather than relying on traditional food sources, the composition of formula-based VLCDs is specifically legislated for and as such, should provide minimum amounts of good quality protein t to meet your dietary needs within the strict calorie limits. LighterLife’s products are made in line with all food regulations and are scientifically balanced ensuring our plan affords the benefits mentioned above, without the need for additional meal planning or adding in extra sources of dietary protein.
Our range of convenient, carefully formulated, high protein options include:
- Shakes: our sweeter offerings designed to satisfy you that sweet tooth whilst providing all your essential nutrients.
- Soups and Bars: a perfect lunch, or a meal on the go which packs a nutritious punch.
- Textured meals and Pots: great for when you want something with a bit more chew, but still formulated to contain all the nutrients needed for health during weight loss, look no further
How Much Protein Do You Need in a VLCD?
Protein requirements from conventional food will vary based on factors such as age, activity level, and weight loss goals as well as the amount of type of protein rich foods you ear. However, a formula-based VLCD must provide the minimum required amount of 50g per day of ‘complete proteins’ to support good healthy during weight loss. This amount of protein in a VLCD has been shown to be just as good as a VLCD which offered 25% more protein per day, and other than increased cost, there were no metabolic or health benefits in increasing protein intake beyond the prescribed 50g whilst on a VLCD.
Mindfulness and Protein Intake
Incorporating our groundbreaking Mentor-led mindfulness sessions into your TotalFast VLCD weight loss programme, is proven to enhance weight management success. Our structured, weekly, mindfulness sessions, delivered by our trained mentors in a closed group setting alongside like-minded individuals can help you tune into your reasons for overeating and address not only your physical hunger, but your emotional hunger too. In fact, recent research has highlighted the importance of behaviour change techniques in improving adherence to weight loss programs, helping to guarantee success.
Final Thoughts
Protein, and higher quality protein specifically, is the cornerstone of a successful VLCD weight loss programme which helps ensures effective weight loss while preserving muscle, supporting metabolism, and managing appetite ad hunger, all whilst helping to maintain overall health. LighterLife’s scientifically designed products make it easy to meet your protein needs and provide a convenient and reliable solution for weight loss.
