Alter Carbohydrate Consumption
A major part of protein diets is the significant decrease, or elimination, of carbohydrates from the eating regimen. This includes foods like breads, pastas, rice, starchy vegetables, beans, sweets and grains. Some protein diets allow dieters to eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
One supporting theory for protein diets is that the consumption of carbohydrates raises blood sugar and insulin levels, sending blood sugars into the cells of the body, preventing them from breaking down. A diet low in carbs, then, may have the opposite effect, lowering insulin and blood sugar levels. Eventually this will lead to a decrease in cravings for foods high in carbohydrates, as these cravings are caused by flucuating blood sugar levels from carbs consumed throughout the day.
Also, since carbs are the simplest form of energy for the body to break down, a decrease in their availability in the body would necessitate breaking down the fat cells to provide needed energy. This will cleanse the burned fat cells from the body, causing a drop in weight.
Protein-Based Foods
While many people imagine a diet of red meat, red meat and more red meat, a diet based in foods high in protein can be much more well-balanced than that. Other protein sources include chicken, fish, egg whites, soy protein, whey protein, and dairy products.
Byron Richards, a Certified Clinical Nutritionist and owner of Wellness Resources, states that calories from quality proteins are the most important influence on metabolic rate, which can favorably influence the loss of weight. In a December 2008 article for WellnessResources.com, he says that, "quality protein also helps you sustain muscle during weight loss, improve muscle fitness, improve immunity, improve antioxidant function, build HDL cholestorol, and enhance insulin and leptin function--all of which contribute toward optimal weight management efforts over time."
Also, proteins and fats take a longer amount of time for the body to break down. This means that by consuming foods higher in proteins and fats will leave the body feeling fuller for longer periods of time, helping to decrease excess calorie consumption.
Ketosis
A process called ketosis also plays an important weight loss role in high protein diets. When the body is low in glucose and sugar, the liver uses fatty acids to produce ketones, which are then burned for energy. Put simply, the body begins to use fat for energy. As long as sufficient amounts of protein are being consumed, the body will not break down muscle tissue.
Also, once the body has turned fat into a ketone, it cannot be turned back into a fat and so it is cleansed from the body
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