Although you want to ensure that you are getting enough of all your macro and micronutrients, protein is a very important macronutrient to pay attention to. Having adequate protein each day plays a vital role in maintaining overall health.
Protein is made up of amino acids that are commonly known as building blocks since they are attached in long chains. Protein is one of the three main macronutrients that our bodies need to work as efficiently as possible, which means you need a relatively large amount of it.
Why Your Body Needs Protein
Each person needs a certain amount of protein per day, depending on their specific body and activity level. Protein is an important building block of bones, cartilage, and skin. In fact, even your hair and nails are made up mostly of protein. It is also used by your body to build and repair tissue. Eating proteins each day helps in digestion. Some of the protein we eat goes to making enzymes that aid in digesting our food. Proteins also play a role in hormone regulation.
How to Get Enough Protein in Your Diet
Ensuring you get enough protein in your diet is extremely important. Aim to have a portion or two at each meal as well as at least one protein-filled snack per day. A highly active person participating in weight training should have more protein in their day than the average sedentary person. To ensure you are getting enough protein, make sure you are eating at least 1.0-1.3 grams of protein per kilogram of your body weight. The best sources of high quality protein are eggs, protein powders, lentils, chicken, beef, pork, salmon, turkey, tuna, fish, seafood, and greek yogurt. High quality vegan sources include tofu, tempeh, lentils, chickpeas, beans, hummus, and chia seeds.
How Protein Can Help You Stay In Shape
Consuming high-protein foods have many benefits to your body, especially if you are athletic. Enough protein in your diet will help you have a speed recovery after exercising or getting injured. It also helps build lean muscle mass and reduce muscle loss. When you eat foods high in protein, you will find that you stay full longer, which means you won’t feel the urge to eat as often. This can help keep your weight and eating habits stable as you are giving your body the proper nutrients it needs.