Protein's vital role in optimal nutrition

It seems that when it comes to food these days were are obsessed with carbohydrates; It's our default setting to go for cheeses and starchy foods, baked beans and potato or bread and chips / french fries as the basis for many meals.

Why is this a problem? Firstly these foods are packed with calories. Secondly, they are deficient in quality protein and this could be a major cause of obesity. We simply don’t eat sufficient protein.

How much protein is right for optimal nutrition?

If you want a balanced, healthy diet and manage your weight sensibly, the key principle to adhere to is eating the main food groups in the right proportions.

Here is what you need to remember: Have 1g of protein per kilogram of body weight, daily. The amounts increase to 1.2g per kg of weight for those who do very physically active work or if you do sport, and 1.5g for endurance trainers. I would suggest having a portion (90-120g depending on body weight) with every meal for ideal nutrition.

Why is protein important in optimum nutrition?

Proteins are composed of amino acids. 80% of amino acids are produced by the liver and the other 20% comes from food. This is where the term "essential proteins" comes in.

Protein keeps you full for longer, which means you feel less of a need to snack between meals, but even more fundamental than that: Proteins are essential to life because they provide the structure to all living things.

It’s all about balance

Take note: protein-only regimes such as the Atkins diet can put undue stress on the kidneys and the liver both of which have to process the waste products of protein metabolism.

What are good sources of protein?

It's surprisingly simple to find it. Here are some good sources:

eggs
Soybeans
Cottage cheese
Lean beef
Wholegrain rye
Cod
Whole milk

Are you getting enough protein for optimum nutrition?

If you want to learn more about how you can optimise your health and weight through sensible, balanced eating - take a look at Metabolic Balance.