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Protein is one of the primary macronutrients needed in your diet to maintain a healthy, well balanced lifestyle. It helps to feed your muscles, keep you full for longer, and even boost your metabolism to allow you to burn fat more effectively. However, just as within any food group, there are good sources of protein and then choices which provide significantly less nutritional value, even potentially leading to weight gain. If you’ve been struggling to lose weight, it could be time to reevaluate your diet, because this one protein source may be severely impeding on your success.
Although meat is a valuable source of protein in leaner forms, processed meat may be the reason you’re experiencing a plateau in weight loss as they are packed with preservatives that negate any health benefits animal protein would provide. Cleveland Clinic explains, “Hot dogs have very little nutrition for the amount of calories you’re consuming, and contain only a small amount of poor-quality protein,” says Emily Bostin MS, RDN, LD. They’re loaded with preservatives and contain mechanically separated meat, she notes.”
Even if a food does contain protein, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it provides any other health benefits for your body. Specifically with processed meats, while they do offer macronutrients, they also may contain a whole host of additives that can have a significant negative effect on your health. “[Processed meats] high saturated fat and sodium content raises cholesterol and blood pressure, and encourages weight gain. Most worrisome of all, processed meats are considered carcinogenic. Many contain nitrates or nitrites, which studies link to several cancers,” reports Cleveland Clinic.
Although you may not classify meat in the same category as other processed foods, certain items such as deli products and hot dogs can have the same negative effect on your body as eating a big bag of chips. According to Science Daily, “The foods most associated with weight gain include potato chips, sugar sweetened beverages, sweets and desserts, refined grains, red meats, and processed meats, while lower weight gain or even weight loss is associated with whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.” When it comes to weight loss it’s much better to stick to leaner protein sources such as ground turkey, chicken breast, or even plant-based options like tofu to reap you more health benefits.
Healthy weight loss requires a balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates in your diet to nourish your body and create a natural calorie deficit. However, choosing highly processed variations of these foods can have a negative effect on your body, even leading to weight gain when consumed in excess. If you’ve been struggling to lose weight, it may be time to cut processed meat out of your diet to finally reach your goals without fighting an uphill battle.
