Why do we need protein?
Most of you know I am Vegetarian and I have been since the age of 12 years old. So my most asked question is “Where do you get your protein from?”
Protein has become like a buzz word in the last 4/5 years. High protein diets are said to help us beat off all sort of ailments. So why, why does our body need protein and what does it do with the protein?
Proteins are the main building blocks of your body, used to make muscles, tendons, organs and skin, as well as enzymes, hormones, neurotransmitters and various tiny molecules that serve many important functions.
The DRI (Dietary Reference Intake) is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, or 0.36 grams per pound.
This amounts to:
56 grams per day for the average sedentary man.
46 grams per day for the average sedentary woman.
You can use this Protein Calculate your daily intake Click here
Protein, along with fats and carbohydrates, belongs to a class of dietary essentials called macro-nutrients. Without these nutrients, the body can’t function properly.
On the cellular level, proteins are made up of long chains of amino acids that can be broken down and reassembled in millions of different ways, to create different types of proteins and build different types of cells—each with its own unique purpose. Hence the nickname of amino acids: the “building blocks” of life.
Our body can produce most of these amino acids but there is a group of nutrients called essential amino acids that our body doesn’t produce and we must get them from our food.
Unlike fats and carbohydrates, your body doesn’t store protein, therefore there is no reserve for the body to top up its protein levels if they are low.
I know for me I was low on the protein intake for along time. My energy was not balanced and I could not put my finger on it as I always ate really. Check out this article I wrote about energy. Click here.
I use Protein shakes and protein bars to help supplement my protein. I know I can get the protein from my diet, its not that because I am a vegetarian, its because I often just don’t have the time or my cupboards and fridge dont’ have the correct things I need to boost my intake. So for me I use a pea protein in a smoothie and in the bars I have.
With all of the things protein does to keep our bodies going well, it makes sense to pack your diet with the best source of protein possible.
Here are a few Benefits:
Consuming high-protein foods has many benefits, including:
Speeding recovery after exercise
Reducing muscle loss
Building lean muscle
Helping you maintain a healthy weight
Curbing hunger