You Are What You Eat - Part 3: Protein

Proteins are literally the building blocks of our body. They are long chains of amino acids, which are molecules that we can get from our foods. Protein occurs in all foods but the best sources come from animal products like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. The protein in meat is considered to be complete proteins since they contain all the essential amino acids. Vegans and vegetarians risk missing some of these essential amino acids unless they are very careful and combine foods to create complete protein sources. 

Protein can help us grow and maintain virtually every part of our body. If we do not consume enough or do not digest them properly, the symptoms can include low energy, poor muscle mass, digestive problems, a sluggish metabolism, and mood swings.

A high protein diet is one of my favourites to use for weight loss. Protein rich foods can make you feel full for longer which stops food cravings and snacking more effectively. It also helps to stabilize blood sugar levels which gives you more energy, helps your brain to focus better and builds muscle mass. 

If you're wondering how much protein to consume each day, try multiplying your weight by .5. This should give you a rough idea of how much you need every day. If you'd like to figure out how much protein is in certain foods, try the website www.nutritiondata.com. 

Try to get a wide variety of protein rich foods for the best benefits. Some of my favourite sources are grass-fed beef, eggs, whey protein (goat whey is best!), wild fish, organic chicken, organic yogurt or kefir, or soaked lentils and black beans. 

There are no benefits to eating only protein sources. In fact, this can be very dangerous for your body. As always, a well rounded diet full of carbohydrates, fats and proteins are the best.