Calorie intake and a higher protein diet

Manfred explores the significance of calorie intake and a high protein diet to avoid obesity

On the basic level, our bodies work like an equation: the calories you consume vs the calories you burn determine if you are in a caloric deficit or surplus.

If we are in a surplus, we gain weight because our bodies store the unused surplus. It's of course a bit more nuanced than that because hormones, food timing, or certain conditions can play a role too. But these are all advanced topics.

On the second part of the question, I would argue that we don't necessarily need to eat more protein. But for sure we should consume less carbohydrates, especially simple carbohydrates (sugars as in soft drinks, pastries, fast food, highly processed foods etc.).

This is difficult because we are constantly massaged by the food industry and their commercials further promote a lot of misconceptions.

If we do manage to eat less carbs, then we should ideally replace them with more protein to reach our ideal daily caloric intake. More protein increases satiety, reduces appetite, and is necessary to rebuild our cells.

All of this should be combined with an active lifestyle, which does not necessarily mean we all need to go to the gym now. Simple things like taking the stairs instead of the lift every time make a difference.

To fight obesity first and foremost we need to re-educate people about our bodies. In my view, that should start at school at a young age. Otherwise, this trend of increasing obesity will not be reversed and we are creating a sick society.

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BORTENSCHLAGER, M. (2022) Calorie intake and a higher protein diet [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/article717.htm [Accessed

About the Author

Manfred Bortenschlager is a freelance writer.


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