Editor’s note: For a limited time, get 15% off your first order of Plant Protein with code PRIMARY15 (Make sure you select “One Time Purchase.”)
Here’s a question for everyone currently trying to lose weight: Are you getting enough protein? Are you sure? Are you really, really sure?
I was honestly floored when a coworker told me that her weight loss secret was TRIPLING her protein intake. I started doing some research and realized that I needed way more protein per day if I wanted to achieve my fitness goals. I definitely wasn’t getting enough from my diet alone, so I’d have to supplement with a protein powder.
I decided to try Love Sweat Fitness’s Plant-Based Protein – and I actually love it! In the past, I’ve found protein powders gross, but this one is genuinely delicious. It’s creamy, mixes well, and doesn’t cause bloating. Most importantly, it packs 20 grams of protein in every scoop, with only 3 carbs and zero sugar!
Ok, please don’t freak out when I share these numbers with you. Promise?
According to the National Academy of Sports Medicine, you need to eat 0.8 - 1 gram of protein for each pound of your target body weight. So if you’re aiming for 130 pounds, you should be eating 104 - 130 grams of protein every day. Love Sweat Fitness’ protein calculator supports this – go take a look and see how much protein you need… warning: you may be shocked.
But there’s a few really important reasons why you want to be eating all that protein. (And if you want to skip the data and just grab your fave new protein powder, go for it!)
When you’re trying to lose weight, feeling full and content after each meal is essential. Eating more protein helps you feel more satiated and less hungry. For me, this has been a huge help when it comes to avoiding snacking – one of my biggest struggles. (Source)
You’re cutting calories. You’re losing weight. And that’s great! But what you don’t want to do is lose out on lean mass – AKA muscle. Keeping your protein intake appropriately high helps preserve your muscle mass while you cut weight, which means that you’re losing fat instead! (Source)
Compared to carbs and fat, protein has a higher thermic effect, which is the “energy cost” your body pays to digest food. Essentially, your body burns more calories breaking down protein which could add up to a few extra calories burned each day. (Source)
Food is energy. And when that energy doesn’t get used, our body converts it into fat. But not all macronutrients are held onto equally. Protein is stored as body fat with roughly 66% efficiency, while carbs store with 80% efficiency and fats store at 96% efficiency. (Source)
That’s a lot of pro-protein points! (Say that three times fast.) And combined, they were more than enough to convince me that my diet needed more of it. But how to get all that extra protein?
Once I sat down and calculated what I was already getting each day from my diet, I realized that I only needed to add about 40 grams of protein – not a crazy amount! Since my Plant Protein has 20 grams per scoop, I could easily drink two servings a day and hit my goal! I started adding a scoop to my morning green smoothie (delicious), and in the afternoon I’d simply mix another scoop into water for my post-workout replenishment (also delicious).
I’ll be honest: I’ve tried other protein powders and was worried about how Love Sweat Fitness’ would taste. I was also worried it would leave me bloated and gassy. I’m happy to report I was worrying for nothing. I love the creamy vanilla flavor, and I feel light as a feather after drinking it!
Plus, it’s powered by a plant-based duo of organic pea protein and brown rice powder – studies have shown this is the most effective combo for increasing lean muscle, burning fat, and balancing blood sugar in the process. It’s a super healthy way to get more protein each day, especially considering it has 0g of sugar and only 130 calories. Too-good-to-be-true vibes? Nope, Plant Protein actually walks the walk.
And just in case you’re not a Vanilla fan (no judgments), their natural Peanut Butter and Chocolate flavors are super popular, too.
Losing weight is tough. But it can also be easier than you think – and one thing you can control is your protein intake.
Do the math for your goal weight, toss your daily meal breakdown into one of those fancy food calculators, and find out how much protein you’re actually eating. Because chances are, you need more than you’re getting.
And if that’s the case, I definitely recommend you check out Love Sweat Fitness’s protein powder. You can save 15% on Plant Protein when you select “One Time Purchase” and enter code PRIMARY15 at checkout!