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The Importance of Consuming Enough Protein

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A significant challenge trainers face is getting their clients to eat enough protein.

So, today’s article will look at the importance of protein and how you can present the information to clients, urging them to increase their intake.

Let’s dive in

What Is Protein?

Proteins are organic molecules made of amino acids––the building blocks of living tissue. The nutrient is found in various foods, which we will discuss below.

The Importance of Protein

The primary reason why protein is essential is that it supplies your body with the amino acids it needs to function optimally.

There are 20 primary amino acids. Nine are essential, meaning your body cannot produce them on its own and needs to get them through food. The remaining 11 are non-essential, so getting them from your diet is not as crucial.

First, amino acids are necessary for producing hormones, enzymes, neurotransmitters, antibodies, and other molecules.

Second, consuming enough protein is vital for your fitness outcomes. The nutrient supports muscle growth, recovery, and optimal fat loss.

How Much Protein Do We Need?

Protein recommendations vary from as little as 0.36 grams to as much as 4.4 grams per pound, so it can be challenging to tell how much you should eat.

The base recommendation of 0.36 grams per pound is only suitable for preventing protein deficiency. In contrast, the advice of 4.4 grams has been used in some studies and found to be safe, at least in the short term.

For most people interested in optimizing their health and fitness, the ideal intake will be between 0.7 and 1 gram per pound of body weight. For example, if you weigh 190 lbs, you should consume 133 to 190 grams daily.

What’s The Best Source of Protein?

Animal products typically provide the largest amount of complete proteins (those containing all nine essential amino acids).

Good sources include:

  • Meat and poultry
  • Fish and seafood
  • Eggs
  • Dairy (including casein and whey protein powder

Some high-protein vegan options include:

  • Nuts and seeds
  • Tofu
  • Beans and lentils
  • Ezekiel bread
  • Oats
  • Soy milk

Vegan protein supplements are also a great option, given how challenging it can be to get enough of the nutrient on a mostly plant-based diet. Hemp, pea, and rice proteins are good options. You can also get a protein blend that combines two or more protein sources.

The Practical Advantage of Consuming Enough Protein

There are many reasons for eating enough protein, but perhaps the best way to explain its importance is as follows:

Protein is one of the nutrients that makes it possible to get fit. Without it, you’re only going to waste your time, get frustrated, and quit.

Training hard, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep are crucial for fitness. But, without an adequate protein intake, all the efforts would be in vain.

Not getting enough protein would prevent you from building muscle, losing fat optimally, or getting stronger. You could put all the effort into your gym routine, but it would not yield the desired results.

Conclusion

As you can see, protein serves numerous crucial functions in the body.

In many cases, increasing your protein intake would be enough to start making tremendous progress and seeing your body transform in months.

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