Managing Weight, Diabetes, and Wellness: The Importance of Protein in Your Diet

Developing and maintaining sustainable healthy habits is key to successfully managing weight, navigating a diabetes diagnosis, or simply promoting overall wellness. Protein is a crucial nutrient that plays a significant role in establishing a healthy diet. plays a vital role in hunger regulation, supports metabolism, and helps build and repair tissues.

Stay Satisfied

One key benefit of protein in weight management is its ability to help you feel fuller for longer, which can reduce overall calorie intake and prevent overeating. This is particularly important for individuals managing a diabetes diagnosis or those trying to maintain or lose weight. Unlike carbohydrates and fats, protein takes longer to digest, keeping hunger at bay and helping you avoid unnecessary snacking.

Maintain Muscle Mass

Protein helps preserve lean muscle mass. When you lose weight, your body typically loses both fat and muscle. Studies have shown that people with diabetes are more prone to muscle loss. A diet rich in protein, combined with healthy exercise habits, can help prevent the muscle loss that can come with losing weight. Maintaining muscle mass also supports a higher metabolism, aiding in long-term weight management.

Boost Your Immune System

Protein is essential for overall wellness. It supports immune function, enzyme production, and hormone regulation, contributing to better health and energy levels. Protein also plays a key role in repairing damaged cells, which is vital for recovery after exercise, injury, or illness.

To ensure your diet is rich in healthy proteins, focus on lean meats like seafood and skinless chicken breast, eggs, dairy, and plant-based proteins like beans, chickpeas, tofu, and low sugar, low sodium nut butters.

Here to Support You

For help developing healthy habits to manage weight and improve overall wellness, Riverside’s Weigh to Healthy Living program may be able to help. This six-month weight management program from addresses nutrition, exercise, behavior, and medical intervention. For more information, visit myrhc.net/endocrinology or call Riverside Endocrinology Specialists at (815) 936-8909.