Smart for Life(R) Doctor Identifies Protein Starvation in American Breakfast

BOCA RATON, Fla., Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans are misguided on their breakfast choices, according to Sasson Moulavi, M.D., specializing in weight loss medicine for over 20 years. Moulavi, founder and creator of the Smart for Life® diet program, claims that Americans are eating too many carbohydrates and sugars for breakfast and too little protein.

"We are literally starving our bodies of protein while flooding it with sugar," Dr. Sass said. "We know that in order to keep weight down and control hunger, we must eat a balanced, protein-rich breakfast. We should get at least 15 grams of protein within 2 to 3 hours of waking up."

According to recent statistics, children and adults are eating carbohydrate-rich, sugar-loaded breakfasts with only 2 to 3 grams of protein. The result of this poor choice causes them to feel hungry quickly and eat more. This routine behavior is a major cause of childhood and adult obesity.

Protein-poor foods like cereals, waffles, and breakfast pastries are marketed as good choices because of advertising buzz words like "made with real juice," "whole grain" and "contains essential minerals and vitamins." Moulavi urges consumers to become knowledgeable and not fall victim to the marketing and advertising doublespeak in the media. Protein is the key to starting the day fueled with healthy energy and prepping the body for optimum function.

Researching breakfast items shows that many contain 5 times more sugar than the body can handle in 4 hours. Also, consuming it quickly (in 10 minutes or less) increases weight gain and fatigue. Repeatedly making poor food choices may lead to insulin resistance and eventually diabetes.

"I urge all Health Practitioners to point this out to their patients and make protein an important part of breakfast," Dr. Sass explains. "Consumers should examine the amount of sugar versus protein in their foods. A good rule for breakfast is that the grams of protein should be more than the sugar."

For example, many cereals have one gram of protein versus 10 grams of sugar. Replace poor choices with protein-rich, healthy breakfast foods such as egg white omelet, low fat cheese, Smart for Life cupcakes, cookies and granola squares.

Protein is key to optimal body functions because it builds muscle, helps rev up metabolism, and more. The human body cannot convert sugar to protein, but it can make sugar out of protein. Sugars also raise lipids, increasing cardiac risk. Lean protein does not. A person can be overweight and still be in starvation mode if he does not get enough protein.

For more information, please visit http://www.smartforlife.com, http://www.under-way.com or contact Lisa Goodman at 561.394.5300 x 202, [email protected]

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SOURCE Smart for Life Weight Management Centers