Eating enough protein is crucial for your overall health. This macronutrient plays a central role in so many of your body’s functions, from oxygenating blood cells to building and repairing muscle. Protein is an especially integral part of your diet if you’re trying to lose weight for several reasons, including the fact that it helps you stay satiated and energized throughout the day. And if weight loss is your goal, adding lean protein to your diet is one of the best ways to get there faster.
Registered Nutritionist and Dietitian Krutika Nanavati of Clinicspots explains that “lean protein is defined as a protein food that contains less than 10 grams of fat per serving, and no more than 5 grams of saturated fat.” To shed some light on some of the best options out there, we asked Nanavati and Lisa Richards, nutritionist and creator of The Candida Diet what their go-to lean meats are. They told us that you should consider adding chicken and fish to your plate for healthy weight loss. Learn more below!
READ MORE:
Weight Loss Experts Tell Us How Much Protein To Eat Every Day For The Best Results
The One Protein You Should Have Every Morning To Take Inches Off Your Waist
Dietitians Agree: These 6 Weight Loss Tips Should Be Followed For Life
Want To Lose Weight And Not Gain It Back? Nutritionists Say You Should Follow This Rule
1. Chicken
When it comes to tasty, lean protein, it's hard to compete with chicken. This nutritious, versatile meat will help you stay full without loading your meal with unnecessary calories. And as far as the best type of chicken to eat for weight loss, Richards says boneless, skinless chicken breast is likely the optimal way to go.
"A serving of boneless, skinless chicken breast is under 300 calories, just 6 grams of fat, no carbs, and 53 grams of protein," she tells us. "This is an excellent source of lean protein for weight loss." She emphasizes the importance of choosing skinless chicken if you want to lose weight: "When purchasing chicken breast, always opt for skinless as this is where most of the fat is contained," she says.
2. Fish
In addition to poultry like turkey and chicken, fish is another type of protein that's great for weight loss and heart health—not to mention delicious. Nanavati says fish is especially "a good choice for those who do not eat meat or poultry, as it is high in omega-3 fatty acids."
Fish is also generally jam-packed with other essential nutrients like vitamin D and vitamin B12, both of which can help support healthy weight loss. Salmon, tuna, and halibut are among the best (and tastiest) options, but there are tons of great types out there to try—and so many recipes to choose from. Time to get cooking!
