Animal vs. Plant Protein: Which is Better for Weight Loss?
The kind of protein you’re eating could play an important role in managing a healthy weight. Now more than ever, people are focused on hitting their protein goals. But it’s not just the amount of protein you get that’s important—where it comes from is also key.
Protein is essential for the body to function and can be found in a wide variety of foods, including everything from low-fat dairy to tofu. However, not all sources of protein are created equally. Generally speaking, people can get protein from animal sources—this includes chicken, fish, and eggs—or they can get protein from plant-based sources, such as nuts, lentils, beans, or whole grains. And though many people associate protein with meat, experts say plant-based options may be the healthiest option, particularly for people looking to lose or manage their weight.
“The data has started to demonstrate more and more that plant protein is equally efficacious in terms of providing the nourishment needed for the human body,” Amanda Velazquez, MD, director of obesity medicine at Cedars-Sinai, told Health. “With plant-based protein, there’s more benefits as a whole compared to animal protein.”
Excerpted from Health
