Body Fat Is Made By Calories And Not Protein

When it comes to weight loss, body fat plays a big role but many people don’t really understand either how to lose body fat or what is responsible for the build-up of body fat. False weight loss prophets spread a lot of misinformation related to body fat–some say it can be melted off with a milkshake and others say that it is created by too much protein. But if you are trying to lose weight, then you need to know the facts. With regard to body fat, it is important that you know that it is made by calories and not protein.

According to a study published in JAMA, researchers found that people consuming diets that were low in protein gained less weight than people consuming diets that were high in protein; but here is the kicker: consuming calories that were not protein-based led to an increase in body fat. The reason that people on high protein diets gained more weight was because they gained more lean muscle; muscle weighs more than fat.

The researchers were able to conclude that calories play the key role in the increase in body fat–as long as they are not protein based. This supports common knowledge that high carb diets can lead to excess body fat when the carbohydrates are not balanced by proteins. And this information shines light on another important myth that is spread by the false weight loss prophets: actual weight is an indication of fitness. It is not.

If you weigh less than someone who is lean and muscle-filled, you are not healthier than them. They may even look much thinner than you. Body fat doesn’t weigh as much as muscle and therefore the scale can sometimes deceive people into thinking that they are healthier than they are. What is important, especially in light of the research published in JAMA, is that diets remain high in protein. Otherwise, calories create unhealthy body fats and this can lead to obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Don’t follow the weight loss false prophets–know the facts. Calories that are not protein-based will create stores of excess body fat if you over-consume them. The key to healthy and long-term weight loss is to develop a healthy diet that is protein based so that you can build lean muscle while you exercise.

Do you know how to track the amount of protein in your diet?  Leave a comment if not and we’ll show you how.