Protein at breakfast may be secret to weight loss says CSIRO
A CSIRO report has found eating more protein for breakfast may be the key to healthy weight loss.
The report says the latest scientific evidence encourages eating at least 25 grams of protein at each main meal to help manage hunger and enhance muscle metabolism.
The average Australian does however eat far less than 25g of protein for breakfast says Senior Principal Research Scientist at the CSIRO, Professor Manny Noakes.
“The average Australian eats much lower amounts of protein at breakfast, so increasing breakfast protein may help to control eating later in the day,” Professor Noakes said.
“If you find it difficult to control what you eat, a redistribution of protein toward breakfast may be the answer to reducing your waistline without leaving you ravenously hungry and craving unhealthy foods.”
The new CSIRO report shows that most Australians eat their protein as part of their evening meal. Australian women eat less protein for breakfast than men, with women eating an average 11g of protein at breakfast, whilst men eat 15g.
Older Australians are eating the least amount of protein whilst needing it the most to help prevent muscle loss.
Australians receiving protein from low-quality sources
The report further revealed that Australians get one third of their protein from “low-quality” sources such as processed foods.
To help address Australia’s protein and weight problems, the CSIRO has launched an online, protein focused version of its Total Wellbeing Diet called Protein Balanced.
“With a variety of genetic, lifestyle and personality factors at play, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to weight loss, but there is a range of healthy ways to lose weight,” said Professor Noakes.
“If we’re serious about addressing this issue we need to continue developing a wider range of scientifically validated ways for people to lose weight, which is something CSIRO has done successfully over the years.
“Introducing the new Protein Balance program for the Total Wellbeing Diet is another example of that.”
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