9 Best & Worst Protein Foods for Weight Loss According to Dietitians

If you like seafood, add salmon to your weight loss strategy. Salmon is one of the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which can enhance satiety in some people.

Best: Salmon

If you want a nutritious protein powder for a shake, try whey. Whey protein includes all essential amino acids and is easily absorbed by the body, explains Courtney D'Angelo, MS, RD.

Whey protein powder

"Eating lentils can provide the body a burst of fibre, antioxidants, and critical minerals.

Best: Lentils

D'Angelo also recommends casein protein powder for weight loss. Casein protein is also milk-based and includes all the essential amino acids, but it's absorbed more slowly.

Best: Casein protein powder

Replacing 0.5 servings a day of less healthy foods with nuts may help prevent long-term weight gain and obesity, adds Manaker.

Best: Walnuts

The correct type of cottage cheese can give you a protein boost with low fat and sugar. A cup of 2% cottage cheese has 24 grammes of protein, 5 grammes of fat, and 9 grammes of lactose sugar.

Best: Low-fat Cottage Cheese

Many sausages are high in saturated fat and calories, which can hinder weight loss, adds Manaker. In fact, "research shows that ultra-processed meals, including sausages, cause weight gain."

Worst: Sausage

A protein bar doesn't necessarily mean it's healthy. Many popular protein bars contain sugar, sodium, and fat. You're receiving protein, but there are better options.

Worst: Sugary protein bars

Rice protein may not be the best for weight loss due to its low levels of lysine. Most research on rice protein have observed little to no muscle mass difference and very little weight loss, if any.

Rice protein powder

1. Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN 2. Courtney D'Angelo, MS, RD  3. Manaker  

Dietitians

Source: Eatthinotthis