{"id":13587,"date":"2025-08-27T14:55:05","date_gmt":"2025-08-27T13:55:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/?p=13587"},"modified":"2025-08-27T14:55:06","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T13:55:06","slug":"protein-and-weight-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/protein-and-weight-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"The inside scoop on protein and weight loss \u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You may have spotted more and more \u2018high protein\u2019 products and supplements on the supermarket shelves lately… but do we really need them? Our senior nutritionist Alexandra Clark answers common questions, unpacking the power of protein and how it fits perfectly into the Slimming World plan…\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What actually is protein?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Proteins are essential nutrients required for the growth, repair and maintenance of bodily tissues. They\u2019re important for enzyme production, immune function and hormone regulation. Along with carbohydrates and fats, proteins are one of the three primary macronutrients your body needs to function.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Click<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

How much protein do I need?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The recommended intake for adults is 0.75 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight each day \u2013 so approximately 60g for someone weighing 80kg (12\u00bdst) and 75g for someone weighing 100kg (16st). Some research suggests that having a higher protein intake (around 1.2\u20131.6 grams per kilogram of body weight a day) may support healthy ageing, help to preserve lean muscle mass during weight loss and aid exercise recovery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the current focus on protein \u2013 and the wide range of \u2018with added protein\u2019 products available \u2013 most people already meet or exceed the basic recommended intake, without the need for additional supplements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slimming World\u2019s healthy eating plan has been carefully developed to provide a balanced diet, making it easy to follow UK government dietary guidelines (including around protein), while enjoying the foods you love.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you know\u2026? You\u2019ll find plenty of meals that are naturally high in protein within our convenient <\/strong>food range<\/strong><\/a> (available from Iceland, The Food Warehouse and Dunnes Stores) and in our <\/strong>Slimming World Kitchen<\/strong><\/a> recipe boxes.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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How does protein support weight loss?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s strong evidence to suggest that the most satiating (filling) nutrient is protein, closely followed by carbohydrates, and then fats. That\u2019s why you\u2019ll find plenty of protein-rich foods included on the Slimming World Free Food list<\/a> \u2013 including lean meats, poultry and fish, some meat replacements, eggs, beans and pulses.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Free Foods are foods that are lower in calories for their weight (low energy dense foods), that help fill you up and leave you feeling satisfied for longer. This means you can eat them freely \u2013 no weighing, no counting, no measuring \u2013 and still get the weight loss result you want. Other high-protein foods that aren\u2019t on the Free Food list, including dairy products, nuts and seeds, can also be enjoyed as part of our healthy eating plan, in measured amounts to help protect your weight loss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slimming World members will find protein-rich foods marked with a P symbol in the Food Optimising guide (which every member receives when they join), and in the food search and barcode scanner tools on the app. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do I need to take protein supplements to lose weight?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Not usually, unless you want to. Following our healthy eating plan makes it easy to achieve your recommended protein intake, without the need for added-protein products, powders or other supplements. Taking a \u2018food first\u2019 approach to nutrition also means you\u2019ll be naturally getting the other essential nutrients that your body thrives on, in a satisfying, filling and enjoyable way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meet the Slimming World nutrition, research and health team<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 popular protein-rich Slimming World recipes<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Creamy garlic chicken<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Creamy<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Crustless quiche<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Herby<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Spaghetti bolognese<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Spaghetti<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

\u00a0Red lentil dhal<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Red<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Black-eyed bean chilli\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Black<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Tuna ni\u00e7oise salad\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Tuna<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

More for members<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Read: Take a deeper dive into the science with our \u2018Protein: Everything you ever wanted to know\u2019<\/em><\/a> article on the app<\/strong>\u00a0
Discover: Try our \u2018Protein-rich Free Foods\u2019<\/a><\/em>, packed with filling power<\/strong>\u00a0
Listen: Tune in to the Why Protein Is Key<\/em> podcast episode, coming in September, exclusively for members<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Join Slimming World<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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