Can Too Much Protein Stop Fat Loss?
Get-Fit Guy explains why shouldn’t chug protein shakes or eat tons of protein bars. Turns out, they can actually cause weight gain! Here’s how.
There’s a perception among exercisers that you can suck down as many protein shakes and chew through as many protein bars as you’d like without actually gaining weight.
However, the truth is that protein can actually hinder weight loss – through a process called gluconeogenesis.
Through gluconeogenesis, when you eat excess protein (even from “lean” sources like 
chicken, turkey, or protein bars) your liver very easily transforms that protein into sugar. And that sugar can then be converted into fat and deposited right on your waistline!
So how much protein is “too much”? In the episode How Much Protein Should I Eat? the Nutrition Diva outlines your basic protein needs. If you’re going significantly above and beyond the amounts she outlines, you’re probably converting protein into sugar, and sugar into fat.
If you have more questions about how too much protein can stop fat loss, then ask away at the Get-Fit Guy Facebook page.
Protein shake from Shutterstock
Related Content
Is Your Protein Bar Healthy (Part 1)
About the Author
Ben Greenfield received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of Idaho in sports science and exercise physiology; personal training and strength and conditioning certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA); a sports nutrition certification from the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), an advanced bicycle fitting certification from Serotta. He has over 11 years’ experience in coaching professional, collegiate, and recreational athletes from all sports, and as helped hundreds of clients achieve weight loss and fitness success.
