Final answer:
The best protein choices for weight loss are those low in saturated fat and calories, such as seafood, lean meats, poultry, legumes, nuts, and seeds. It's important to prepare these foods healthily, keep portion sizes in check, and balance calorie intake with physical activity for effective weight management. Proteins that demand more energy to process can also help enhance metabolic rate.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best protein choice for someone on a weight-loss plan involves opting for proteins that are low in saturated fats and calories. Including a variety of protein foods is recommended to improve nutrient intake and health, such as seafood, lean meats, poultry, legumes (beans and peas), nuts, seeds, and soy products. Seafood, for instance, is recommended at two 4-ounce servings per week because of its beneficial nutrients and typically lower calorie content compared to fatty meats.
It's essential to prepare these proteins with little or no added saturated fats, and be mindful of portion sizes to keep calorie intake balanced with physical activity. Equally important is to avoid high-protein diets that greatly exceed daily recommended amounts, as they can strain kidneys and be unsustainable in the long term.
To lose weight, the calories burned must exceed the calories ingested, so selecting protein that requires more energy to process, like lean meats over carbohydrates, can also be beneficial for boosting the body's metabolic rate and aiding weight loss efforts.