Dishes full of protein cut levels of the hormone ghrelin

Previous research has shown that dishes full of protein cut levels of the hormone ghrelin, which stimulates hunger pangs. Although carbohydrate-rich foods such as pasta, bread, rice and sweet snacks, reduce ghrelin levels at first, the hormone then 'spikes' and rises to an even higher level than before the food was consumed. However, researchers at Aberdeen University's Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health found introducing a moderate amount of carbs into a high-protein meal did not reduce its weight-loss effects. Their study also proved dieters need not eat excessive amounts of protein because there is a point past which it offers no additional benefit as an appetite suppressant. Based on these findings, M&S has created its Simply Fuller Longer range of 40 dinners, lunches, sandwiches and salads. Dishes include chargrilled chicken and vegetable noodles with savoury miso dressing and peppered salmon, and king prawn and cous cous salad. Most of the meals in the range contain an average of 10g of protein per 100g compared to 9.5g in an average ready meal. They are made up of about 10g of carbohydrates per 100g, compared to a slightly lower 8.6g for a normal ready meal. Claire Hughes, a nutritionist for Marks & Spencer, said: 'Losing weight should be simple as basically you need to eat fewer calories than you use,' she said. 'But as we all know, it's not that easy in practice.

Source: Daily Mail