Sister to Sister

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From our Daily Tips: “Eating Protein Helps You Feel Full Longer.”

I’ve been a vegetarian for almost five years, so getting protein looks a little different for me than it does for most people. Still, protein is an important part of a woman’s diet, whether you’re a vegetarian or not.

There was a period of time when I wasn’t making protein a priority. I had enough “priorities” like work, a home, my friends and family. Maintaining a healthy diet ranked low on the list…until I learned why protein—and my health—should be a priority. I can’t do all those other things unless I have my health! I realized that because I wasn’t getting enough protein, I was hungry and eating unhealthily. All. The. Time.

Among protein’s good qualities: healthy servings can help you reduce just how much you eat by cutting down on your hunger. Protein makes you feel more satisfied, making you less tempted to reach for that dessert.

Even better, a recent study found that people on a weight loss diet with moderate carbohydrate and moderate protein intake (instead of a high carb and low protein diet) reduced not only their weight, but also their risk factors for other types of metabolic disease—and they had better changes in their body composition.

Good protein sources include low- or non-fat forms of milk, cheese, and yogurt; nuts; peanut butter; poultry; fish; and lean meats. If you’re vegetarian, remember to reach for complete proteins like rice and beans. However you choose to get more protein, make sure that you’re not eating too much—keep healthy portion control guidelines in mind. Fortunately, protein is so filling, that you don’t want to over-do it.

Do you have favorite snacks for getting the right amount of protein? Please share them here. After all, I can only eat rice and beans for so long!