Are there benefits to increasing protein intake?
Increasing protein, especially by replacing high glycemic carbs (as is recommended in an Atkins type diet), can lead to easier weight management. Research has demonstrated that hunger is better controlled with a higher intake of protein. Include protein at each meal and snack time. It is especially important to start off the day with a breakfast that contains protein to ensure a more stable blood sugar. One recent study demonstrated that an egg based breakfast controlled hunger better and lead to a more controlled calorie intake for the next 36 hours compared to a bagel based breakfast with the same calorie intake. Additionally, when blood sugar is more stable, energy and moods are more even. It is thought that our ancestral diet contained at least twice as much protein as the 15% now recommended for a healthy diet. This is closer to the 30% protein most people consume when following Atkins.
