Since long, protein has been a highly valued nutrient in the nutrition industry. Protein is the most abundant nutrient in our bodies, after water. While you might know that you need protein to meet your daily nutritional needs, you might not know what it is doing or how much.
Protein is one the most versatile nutrients. It has many important roles in supporting your overall well-being. While protein is most commonly associated with maintaining healthy muscles and bones, protein is also an important component of every single cell, tissue, organ, and cell in the body. Protein is important for your bones, brain cells and hair, as well as supporting your skin, nails, hair, skin, blood, skin, blood, and hair. It provides valuable enzymes that regulate bodily functions. It functions as an antioxidant. “bus driver”Transporting nutrients, oxygen and other waste throughout the body. Protein is essential for the growth and maintenance in many areas of your body.
Apart from the delicious flavors and immediate sensations, protein can also satiate your hunger. High-protein foods slow down the food’s movement from the stomach into the intestine. Slower digestion will make you feel fuller for a longer time. The steadying effect of carbohydrate foods combined with protein prevents rapid spikes in blood sugar and quick drops that can cause hunger. Combinations of carbohydrate and protein are excellent combinations, such as apples and peanut butter, nuts and dried fruits, cheese and crackers and steak and potatoes.
Here’s how much protein you’ll need every day.
* Sedentary Adult. Weight in pounds x 0.4* = grams of protein/day
* Physically Active Adult. Weighing in pounds divided by 0.5-0.75 = grams/day
* Competitive Adult Athlete. Weight in pounds divided by 0.6 to 0.9 = grams protein/day
* Adult Building Muscle. Weight in pounds x 0.0.7-1.0 = grams protein/day
* Recommended protein amounts per pound adapted from “Sports Nutrition: A Guide for the Professional Working with Active People.”
Consider the other nutrients that are included in protein-rich foods. Because they are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, beans, whole grains, nuts, and whole grains are great sources of protein. Fish, poultry, and lean cuts grass-fed red meat are the best options for animal protein. We are used to eating much more animal protein than what we really need. It may surprise you to learn that a healthy amount of red meat or poultry is approximately the same size as your palm. It is important to eat less animal protein and to alternate with vegetables.
All these options are wonderful until you have to carry them around with you. You will feel fuller and more satisfied if you have a protein snack in between meals. For a quick snack, a steak is not a good idea. You can use portable protein sources like trail mix, a hard-boiled eggs, string cheese, edamame or a high-protein snack bar such as LUNA Protein if your usual foods are not available. LUNA Protein can be enjoyed as a delicious snack at any time of the day. It contains 12 grams of protein and key vitamins and minerals that women need.
Protein has been recognized as a vital nutrient for health and wellness. Understanding the benefits of protein and how much you should consume will enable you to make better choices about how you replenish, recover and recharge your body each day.
