If you are dieting or exercising and not getting enough protein you may be fighting a losing battle with weight loss.

A study published from the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that overweight premenopausal woman who ate low carbohydrate/high protein diets lost more bodyweight than a group eating high carbohydrate/low fat diets. Another study published in the ADA Journal divided three groups of post menopausal woman that were overweight. Group one reduced 400 calories per day. Group two used less than 400 calories but, did low intensity exercises and group three ate smaller calorie amounts but exercised with high intensity. All three groups lost weight but it wasn't all fat. The group that ate more protein did not lose lean muscle. And, you do not want to lose lean muscle! If you are post menopausal lean muscle is very important; for osteoporosis, making sure you are strong so you don't fall and just being strong enough to take care of yourself.

Research after research substantiates that protein helps you lose the fat and not the muscle. If you have more muscle you burn more calories and look better and can exercise more (burning even more calories) with a much stronger body. Some women express a concern about getting larger muscles. Ladies this does not mean big bulky muscles. Women do not have the hormones to create those big muscles that bodybuilders have. Protein shakes and regular exercise means you will stick to your diet and you will only lose fat while retaining your muscle.

Protein powders help control hunger so you won't eat as much and feel fuller longer. Now this doesn't mean you have to eat meat, and other high caloric proteins along with the fat they contain. Plant based diets also supply phytochemicals along with vitamins necessary for your health; this includes beans, nuts, seeds along with vegetables, chicken, fish, eggs and dairy such as cottage cheese, milk, tofu, etc. Protein shakes help to control hunger and help maintain your muscle.

Another wonderful option that has helped women, including me, are protein powders. I struggled for years trying to lose those last ten pounds; I gave up and even added more pounds until I got sick of how I looked. I started using protein powders to make protein shakes, along with a healthy diet and the pounds started melting off. I do not each much meat to speak of anymore, only fish and chicken a couple times per week; and a lot of veggies, beans and fruit. Protein powders, rich in amino acids help me exercise longer with more energy, which of course will add to your weight loss.

If you haven't tried the new protein powders out there today you are in for a treat. With names like Brownie Batter, Cake Batter, Mango Magic, Strawberry Kiwi, Green Apple, Vanilla Chai and Lemon Burst you are not limited to tasteless vanilla or chocolate. Bodybuilders have used protein for ages to get lean bigger muscles. If you use protein shakes for weight loss you do not have to worry about getting huge muscles. You are just drinking enough protein to maintain and firm up your muscles with your amount of exercise, helping your weight loss program and creating a much firmer and curvier body than you could without the added protein. So if you want to be firm and not flabby, feel full and stick to your weight loss plans try a good protein shake. It's a healthy way to lose weight.