Avoid yo-yo dieting by choosing higher protein meals and snacks.
Most diets require you to hunker down for a certain period of time to lose weight and then leave you on your own to maintain the results. Unfortunately, this commonly ends in weight regain and may even set your back further than where you started.
But science offers new insight on how to avoid putting those pounds back on. Research shows that one of the keys for long-term maintenance after weight loss is to consistently maintain a diet higher in protein.
In a year-long study, researchers at Maastricht University in the Netherlands found that those consuming a diet higher in protein experienced less weight regain and better maintained their weight loss compared to those consuming a diet lower in protein (1). The study included 256 adults who had successfully lost weight over eight weeks and were randomized into one of five groups. Each diet group varied in protein content and glycemic index of foods: low-protein and high-glycemic, high-protein and low-glycemic, high-protein and high-glycemic, low-protein and low-glycemic, and lastly, a diet based on national dietary guidelines.
During the calorie-reduction phase of the study, the average weight loss for the participants was about 24 pounds. Afterwards, over the next 12 months, the average weight regain was about 9 pounds. However, the subjects on the high-protein diets regained an average of 4 pounds less weight than subjects on low-protein diets.
There was no consistent effect from glycemic index of foods on weight in this study, although earlier studies have shown that low-glycemic diets do indeed help people lose and maintain weight (2).
The authors concluded that the high protein content of a diet “improves weight loss maintenance in overweight and obese adults over 12 months.” In addition, the diet group with the highest adherence rate throughout the entire length of the study was the group consuming the high-protein, low-glycemic diet, which hints at the ease and ability of sticking to this way of eating long term.
Isagenix for Long-Term Maintenance
This study adds strong support for making Isagenix part of your long-term diet plan. Meal replacements such as IsaLean® and IsaLean® Pro Shakes provide 24 and 36 grams of high-quality protein, respectively, and contain the ideal amount of protein for weight management (3). What’s more, Isagenix shakes are low-glycemic to support healthy blood sugar management.
Additionally, low-glycemic snacks such as Whey Thins or FiberSnacks!™ provide 10 or 6 grams of protein, respectively, so you stay satisfied between meals and aren’t tempted to overeat at mealtime.
The type of protein is also important. Many Isagenix products contain undenatured whey and milk protein because of the large and convincing body of research behind these two proteins showing superiority for fat burning and muscle building (4;5). For those who have an allergy or intolerance to dairy, the Dairy-Free Natural Berry Harvest IsaLean® Shake provides 22 grams of hemp and pea protein with an amino acid profile similar to whey.
Unlike other diets, Isagenix provides you with the tools you need to maintain your weight loss results. Even better, the system is flexible so you can personalize your nutrition to your health goals. Whether it’s using Isagenix meal replacements for one or two meals per day, or even just focusing on healthy snacking, Isagenix helps you maintain your success.
References
- Aller EE, Larsen TM, Holst C et al. Weight loss maintenance in overweight subjects on ad libitum diets with high or low protein content and glycemic index: the DIOGENES trial 12 months results. Int J Obes (Lond) 2014.
- Larsen TM, Dalskov SM, van BM et al. Diets with high or low protein content and glycemic index for weight-loss maintenance. N Engl J Med 2010;363:2102-13.
- Mamerow MM, Mettler JA, English KL et al. Dietary Protein Distribution Positively Influences 24-h Muscle Protein Synthesis in Healthy Adults. J Nutr 2014.
- Tang JE, Moore DR, Kujbida GW, Tarnopolsky MA and Phillips SM. Ingestion of whey hydrolysate, casein, or soy protein isolate: effects on mixed muscle protein synthesis at rest and following resistance exercise in young men. J Appl Physiol 107: 987-992, 2009.
- Souza GT et al. Dietary whey protein lessens several risk factors for metabolic diseases: a review. Lipids Health Dis. 2012 Jun 7;11(1):67.
