Proteins that can help you lose weight

New Haven (WTNH) - Fitness expert Lisa Lynn was back with us again to talk about two types of proteins: those that can cause weight loss, and those that can hinder it.

The following information was provided by Lisa Lynn:

Some proteins cause weight loss while others may actually be feeding your fat cells, causing them to hang around longer. Certain proteins elevate your metabolism naturally because of their amino acid profile and low amount of fat. These meals are called "Metabolically Spiking Meals." If you eat five meals a day containing the right amount of protein for your body you will be spiking your metabolism five times each day, causing it to burn stored fat. If you are stuck or having a hard time losing weight you need to rethink what types of proteins you are eating. There are a few catches though:

1. You need to eat the right amount of protein for your body. Too much causes weight gain and too little stops the fat loss process.

2. You need to know how much body fat you are carrying so you feed the muscle and starve the fat- or else it will never leave.

3. You need to eat the right kind of protein or you stop the weight loss process and may even gain weight if you have a slower metabolism.

A serving size is determined by the amount of protein a food contains. Our bodies can only digest between 25-30 grams of protein per meal. For example, if you eat 8 ounces of chicken, even if it is low fat it may be stored as fat. Unless you are weight training intensely, your body cannot digest all of that protein. Therefore, it stores it as fat for later use.

You need to eat lean proteins that are low in fat, specifically saturated fat that your body cannot use so it stores it as body fat and it also raises your cholesterol. The types of foods you do not want to be eating if you're trying to lean out and lose body fat are steaks, pork, hot dogs, and protein that contains more than 5 grams of fat per serving. Be sure when you are eating proteins that you remove the skin and don't add fat back into them during the cooking process by using butter or oils. Keep your food simple and clean so it burns more efficiently. You will not only look better, you will feel better and make your doctor very proud at your next physical with lower cholesterol and improved health.

The Top Five Lean/Clean Fat-Burning Proteins include:

1. Complete Protein Shake for weight loss- elevates your metabolism 25 percent
2. Egg whites
3. Turkey Breast
4. Chicken Breast
5. All white/Pale fishes (scrod, cod, sole, tuna, flounder, halibut, orange roughy, haddock, and tilapia)

For more information on fat burning, visit www.lisalynnfitness.com and sign up for Lisa's free newsletter.