When pursuing healthy weight loss, it’s important to reduce refined carbs, sugar, and processed foods as much as possible. At the same time, maintaining a balanced diet that includes plenty of whole foods is crucial. This doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite indulgences, such as pizza.
In an informative TikTok video, dietitian and content creator @nutritionbabe, who has shed 100 lbs and frequently shares her recipes and experiences, introduced an “amazing” and “perfect” high-protein pizza recipe with cottage cheese that followers are rating a “10/10.”
In the video, @nutritionbabe demonstrated to her followers the process of blending 1 cup of cottage cheese with either 2 eggs or 1/3 cup of egg whites, along with 1/2 teaspoon of oregano. She then placed the mixture in the oven, baking it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 to 40 minutes. Then, “top it with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese” and “broil till toasty.”
@nutritionbabe This high protein pizza flatbread is the perfect recipe to kick off your New Years Goals! If you’re lactose intolerant, the lactose free cottage cheese works great in this. If you avoid dairy altogether, your better off ordering @Ilana Meals by @NutritionBabe #highprotein #protein #healthyrecipes #easyrecipe #pizza #healthypizza #pizzalover #pizzarecipe #cottagecheese #eggwhites #fitness #fitnesstips #nutrition #dietitian ♬ Elphaba and Glinda from Wicked – FallonTonight
Dietitian Reveals Her High-Protein Viral Pizza Recipe That’s a ’10/10′ After Losing 100 Pounds
She then cut up her pizza into slices and ate them, noting that the meal in total comes to 250 calories and 40 grams of protein. The TikToker captioned her post: “This high protein pizza flatbread is the perfect recipe to kick off your New Years Goals! If you’re lactose intolerant, the lactose free cottage cheese works great in this. If you avoid dairy altogether, your better off ordering @Ilana Meals by @NutritionBabe.”
Fans and followers headed to her comments section to share their thoughts, with one writing that it is a “10/10 pizza” and another noting: “I LOVE THIS RECIPE.” Someone else commented: “looks so yummy.” An additional user was amazed and in disbelief, noting: “there’s no way that’s 250 cals.” The creator wrote: “isn’t that wild!”
When asked if the recipe is safe for diabetics, @nutritionbabe replied: “This Can be amazing for anyone looking to improve their blood sugar control but diabetics in particular should be checking their blood sugars to make sure they don’t run too low.”
Why Protein Is So Important For Healthy Weight Loss
When it comes to shedding weight or building muscle, protein intake is the most important factor to consider, Meera Watts, health expert, founder and CEO of Siddhi Yoga, tells SheFinds. “Protein helps us feel fuller for longer, which helps us avoid overeating while still providing the nutrition our bodies require at these times,” she explains.
An individual requires 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of total body weight, Watts says. "This daily requirement can vary in certain ways," she continues, for example, "someone who lifts weights and wants to gain muscle mass will need a high protein intake in their diet." However, Watts goes on to say that a person attempting to lose weight can consume up to "2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight."
The Bottom Line
When selecting a source of protein for weight loss, Lisa Richards, registered nutritionist and creator of The Candida Diet, says that you must be mindful of the calories, carbs, and fat content. “Animal sources can be high in fat and calories and plant sources tend to have more carbohydrates.” She notes, “These tend to provide you with excellent protein, but not necessarily protein for weight loss.”
Richards notes that the best sources of protein for weight loss are the ones that are “low in fat and carbohydrates.” This primarily describes “lean animal sources like chicken, turkey, or some fish,” she adds. “We only need about 8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight for adequate weight loss,” she says. While “it can be tempting to increase your protein significantly when trying to lose weight,” this isn't necessary as long as you're getting in the recommended daily amount.
