A recent survey by the National Grocers Association found that two-thirds of Americans feel their diet could be healthier. Fifty-two percent of people polled said their diet could be "somewhat healthier," and sixteen percent admitted their diet could be "a lot healthier." This one might not come as a surprise.
Also reported in the survey was what Americans are doing to ensure their diet is healthy.
Some of the responses included:
83% Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
62% Eat Fewer Fried Foods
47% Eat Less Sugar
19% Eat More Protein
Of course, the health benefits of protein are well-covered territory on this blog.
And a study just published in the Journal of Nutrition adds to the evidence. The study looked at protein's benefits not just for weight loss, but for weight loss maintainence.
Compared to those subjects eating a conventional diet (defined as high in carbohydrates), subjects on the protein diet lost 22% more fat mass, and therefore greatly improved their body composition. They were also more successful at maintaining their weight loss.
A word of advice when reading this study: don't be mislead by the title, which refers to the protein diet as "moderate protein." The researchers go on to define moderate protein as "increased protein and reduced carbohydrates."
