Protein, low protein diets and cellulite - Part 2

Continued from: Protein, low protein diets and cellulite - Part 1

How about saturated fat contained in protein food then?

Indeed there is only one problem with red meat: saturated fat. Without saturated fat red meat is absolutely fine, especially if the meat is organic. However, the fact is that there are cuts of beef, lamb and pork that contain negligible amounts of saturated fat, i.e. as little as 2-4% fat. All you have to do is choose lean (red) cuts of meat when you do your shopping at lok at the fat content displayed on the label - anything below 5% is absolutely fine. And if you do not like red meat, there are always poultry, fish, seafood and eggs to help you boost your protein intake levels without the problem of saturated fat.

What if I am a vegetarian?

This is not to say that eating a vegetarian diet will not necessarily provide you with enough protein. The only problem with vegetarian diets is that it is so much more difficult to achieve your daily protein quota, unless you eat a loooot of pulses, eggs, milk and low fat cheese without getting allergic to dairy and fed up of pulses. Unfortunately a small piece of tofu will not cut it.

{Just to mention here that unfermented soya (as in as soya milk, tofu and soya textured protein) is not the healthy food it is purported to be, partly due to it's negative effect on thyroid function and partly due to it's high phytate content. In contrast, fermented soya, as in miso, tempeh, soya sauce and natto are indeed very good for a woman's health.}

Which is the most filling food component: protein, carbohydrate or fat?

Well, actually none of the above. Fibre is the most satisfying food, and the best source of fibre is not cardboard-tasting wheat bran, but nutritious and juicy vegetables!

Protein is second-best as it introduces a feeling of satiety and helps you keep off the naughty fatty, sugary, carb-y foods that end up being deposited on your bum.

Carbohydrates, comprising sugars and starches, are definitely the least filling foods. Sugary foods, in particular, are the most addictive foods and lead to constant cravings and overeating. The same applies to starches, but to a lesser extent. The low glycaemic index (GI) carbs (pasta, brown rice, fruits) do not induce cravings as potently, whilst the high GI carbohydrates are the worst in that respect (all types of bread, white rice, pastry etc.).

Fats and oils can also be filling but are also very calorific, so they are not a solution to the hunger problem as they fill your stomach up but at the same time they fill your bum with fat too...

In fact, the best way to keep hunger and cravings at bay is combining vegetables (which are rich in fibre, antioxidants and water and poor in calories) with lean protein, e.g. salmon and loads of broccoli, lean steak with a large salad, prawns with lots of stir-fried vegetables, grilled chicken with mushrooms, peppers and courgettes etc. You get the drift...

Continue to: Protein, low protein diets and cellulite - Part 3