The Importance of Protein

When it comes to maintaining a healthy diet, making sure you have a well-balanced diet with plenty of proteins, is usually top priority. But, why is protein so important?

Simply put, protein is one of two macronutrients that the human body needs. Macro means “big”, so in other words, proteins, like carbohydrates are the two nutrients that you need the most of. As a side note, things like fats, vitamins, or minerals are often referred to as “micronutrients” because you only require these in small quantities.

So, then the question becomes, “why do you need large amounts of proteins?” The short answer is, proteins make up almost everything in your body and often oversee some vital reactions that our body needs to occur to keep us healthy (not to mention alive). From your skin, to your hair, to your nails, to your muscles – proteins are responsible for making us who we are – literally! And, unlike, carbohydrates, our body cannot store proteins, leaving it with no storage or extra reservoir to tap into, when protein levels are low.

Protein is what helps us recover from exercise, by reducing muscle loss and helping us repair and rebuild muscles. The higher your protein intake (assuming a low-fat consumption), the more lean muscle you can build and the easier it will be to maintain a healthy body weight. Not to mention, high protein foods can also keep your hunger pangs down and may eliminate some of those sugar cravings you have in between meals. This is because proteins  are slowly broken down, so they enable you to maintain your blood sugar levels, keeping you fuller longer.

What are good sources of protein?

The great news is, protein can come from a wide variety of sources. So, getting enough protein should never be a problem. However, the challenge becomes, getting the right amount of protein, without also getting excess fat or carbohydrates. Here are a few sources of protein:

• Meat (Poultry, Beef, Pork, etc)
• Fish
• Soy
• Eggs
• Beans
• Legumes
• Nuts