Eating Ice Cream? Why Eat Protein First? by Joan Kent, PhD
Recently, a man who had attended a weight-loss program I coached several years ago commented on an article I’d posted online. He apparently misremembered my instructions to the group. He quoted me as telling them to “eat greens” after they’d eaten ice cream.
That was definitely not something I would have said. In fact, it sounds like a recommendation that comes from somewhat simplistic thinking: You did something unhealthy by eating ice cream; now do something healthy and eat vegetables.
But that’s not the way I approach food. My field is psychoactive nutrition, which is about how foods affect mental state, primarily by changing brain chemistry and hormones.
So I clarified. I replied that I don’t recall ever saying that thing about “greens,” but I had recommended eating protein if someone were to eat ice cream – and to eat it before the ice cream. While I gave no reasons in my online reply, I thought it might make for an informative article, so let’s explore the reasons now.
Eating protein changes hormones.
Protein foods are the only ones that trigger glucagon. Its effects are virtually opposite those of insulin. Glucagon shifts metabolism to burning mode, releasing fat from fat cells into the blood, thus promoting fat’s use by tissues for energy. It also decreases cholesterol production.
Insulin, on the other hand, shifts metabolism to storage mode. It converts glucose and protein to fat and moves dietary fat to storage in fat cells. It promotes use of glucose for energy instead, and increases cholesterol production, as well.
Getting away from snacks and meals with all insulin-triggering foods is beneficial. High insulin production is linked with inflammation and chronic diseases, including insulin resistance, diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol issues, high triglycerides (an independent heart disease risk factor), and even some cancers.
Protein triggers CCK, a powerful appetite-suppressing hormone that diminishes the desire for carbs. As a result, it can change both appetite and food preferences in a way that makes it more likely you’ll be able to resist junk – and even want to eat healthful foods!
Protein changes brain chemistry.
It provides the amino acids that are precursors used to make neurochemicals that keep us alert, focused, and in an “up” mood.
The various changes above can result in ending cravings. That’s great in the short run – and can work miracles if you continue the “protein habit” and make these behaviors ongoing and long-term.
Protein can change health.
Protein changes the enzymes that work on the foods we eat. That in turn changes the prostaglandins formed in response to those foods. Prostaglandins are hormone-like chemicals that are made from different fatty acids. They’re delivered from cell to cell via interstitial fluid, not the bloodstream.
Prostaglandins regulate many cellular activities. “Healthful” prostaglandins – those promoted by protein – inhibit clotting, dilate vessels, and decrease blood pressure. They improve immune function, decrease pain and inflammation, and alleviate depression, ADHD and PMS. They increase insulin sensitivity (always a good thing) and minimize insulin release. And that’s just a short list.
The prostaglandins promoted by high insulin secretion do the opposite of these, increasing clotting, raising blood pressure, promoting pain and inflammation, depressing immune function, and more.
Obviously, this is a lot of impact for foods to have. And when you look at the protein connection here, the functions of protein are a lot more specific and powerful than merely suggesting that we eat something healthy after eating a sugary snack.
If you’d like simple tips that make it easy to stick with a healthful food plan and change your health for the better, just visit LastResortNutrition and grab your free Make Me Healthy Now consult. Discover how small changes can bring big results.
Brought to you by Dr. Joan Kent, best-selling author of Stronger Than Sugar.
