does eating high amounts of protein make a difference?

peachfigs

I know that as long as you have a significant calorie deficit, technically it doesn't really matter what you eat, so why do so many people advocate eating a high protein diet?

Lupercalia

To help you feel satiated and attempt to preserve whatever muscle mass you've got if you're also lifting while cutting calories.

I guess I should ask what you mean exactly by "high protein"...?

eric_sg61

To preserve muscle you'd want to have adequate protein. Also, out of the macronutrients protein is least likely to get stored as fat. And protein helps with satiety.

msunat97

higher amounts of protien are better to help with maintaining muscle mass...the added muscle will burn calories & keep the fat off

darwinwoodka

It takes 25% of the energy in protein to digest it for your body to use. It takes only 5% of the energy from carbs to digest carbs. It takes zero energy to store fat.

If you're strength training, you want to replace glycogen in your muscles, then your liver stores some. The rest gets converted to fat. It's much easier for the body to direct carbs and fat to the fat stores. The protein is easiest to simply burn.

SO you'll see lots of strength trainers eating lots of protein. But they do tend to burn it off, too.

peachfigs

To help you feel satiated and attempt to preserve whatever muscle mass you've got if you're also lifting while cutting calories.

I guess I should ask what you mean exactly by "high protein"...?

^ I'm thinking lean meats and/or eggs with every meal? In other words, the protein is the focal point of every meal.


Thanks, guys, these answers are great

BinaryPulsar

It does depend on what you mean by high protein. You do not need to eat large amounts of protein (more than your body weight) unless you want to, or have a reason to do that. But, it is good for your muscles for you to be eating one gram of protein per pound of lean body mass, or per pound of body weight (if your weight is low) or per pound of goal weight. But, basically for many women eating around 100 grams of protein a day is sufficient and a good amount to aim for. I try to eat at least 90 grams a day, but usually get to 100 or 110. I know some women aim for 120 based on their weight and lean body mass.

Shadowknight137

Yep.

It means less room for tasty carbs and fat.