What women miss in their weight loss plans

Have you forgotten something important in your diet plan?

Let’s look at your face during your weight loss programme. Funnily, it looks fatter instead of thinner. You also look fatigued, your hair falls, and your skin is dull. If you’re nodding yes to this, then you’re one of the many women who have forgotten that one of the key ingredients in any woman’s weight loss plan is protein.

Protein is a key ingredient that should always be a part of a woman’s weight loss plan (Getty Images)

Understanding protein

Protein in its base element – amino acids – is a key requirement for all such as bones, skin, hair, hormone formation and immunity molecules. Lack of protein can lead to health problems because its consumption is required everyday; it can’t be stored in the body the way fats and carbs can.

Protein can come from vegetarian or non-vegetarian sources. If you are vegetarian, you need to get amino acids from both dairy and non-dairy foods in one day or at one meal. One example of balanced protein is a protein powder that has whey and soya. Or you could consume tofu and dairy milk, or paneer and soy milk.

When women do not consume enough proteins

Their arms and feet swell up.

They are constantly tired, despite eating normal meals.

There is constant hair fall, and the skin is dull.

Muscles sag and there is a loss of muscle tone.

How consuming protein helps

Proteins help curb hunger effectively, controlling the slips that jeopardise most diet plans. They control mood swings as well as swollen feet and bloated bodies. If your protein consumption is balanced, your exercise will result in toned muscles. No multivitamins taken for skin and hair will work effectively if there is protein deficiency in the diet. It’s marvellous for bone health, particularly for post-menopausal women. Ensure your protein intake is balanced, and take calcium and vitamin D.

From HT Brunch, February 11, 2018

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