Eat Your Protein
Are you getting enough protein in your diet? If you’re not super nutrition-focused, you may not even know what that entails or how to incorporate it into your everyday meals. But it’s important not to underestimate the power of protein and how good it is for your body.
If you didn’t know, protein is a macronutrient that plays a crucial role in the production of cells, tissues, and organs. It’s a building block made of amino acids that most people obtain through their food. But not enough people understand its significance.
In this post, we’ll go over some of the benefits of protein, how to add it into your diet, and some of the many options you can choose from.
Let’s get started.
What Counts as Protein?
Although your body does produce some on its own, it still needs outside sources for the complete recommended quantity. You’ll need to get this from food.
Some popular examples of protein include:
- Eggs
- Meat
- Beans
- Shakes
- Dairy
- Nuts
The nutritional value of protein can be measured by the amount of amino acids it contains. The more amino acids it has, the more protein you consume.
Meat tends to have the most amount of protein as well as soy products such as tofu, edamame, and soybeans. Plant proteins, like beans and lentils, are also great protein sources, although they may contain less than meats.
If you don’t eat meat or meat products, not to worry! Eating a wide array of different foods with high protein, even with no meat present, will still get you to the recommended amount of protein you need.
Why Add Protein to Your Diet?
There are many reasons why you should prioritize adding protein to your everyday meals.
- Reduce Appetite
If you catch yourself snacking a lot or turning to junk food throughout the day, then consuming protein could help you slow down. Protein makes you feel more full so you’re less prone to reach for those salty chips or sweet donuts.
Sometimes, curbing your appetite is the most difficult part of making healthier choices because it’s easy to reach for pre-made junk food. But consuming protein makes it easier to ignore those cravings and feel more full throughout the day.
- Boost Metabolism
Because your body uses more energy to process and digest proteins, it automatically boosts your metabolism. Your body must work harder to break them down to turn into waste. This leads to more calories burned throughout the day, even while you sleep!
It’s important to keep up with your body and understand its nutritional needs. If that sounds like something that interests you, join us this Saturday, August 23rd for our monthly Chats with Chai!
Hosted by Nutrition Coach Katie and Fitness Coach Maryam, this month’s talk focuses on a healthy approach to weight loss and choosing the right foods and proteins to nourish your body.
Sign up today! Spots are free to the community. (See our Events page for more info).
2. Increase Strength
When consumed in higher quantities, protein can most certainly increase your physical strength.
Consuming protein along with resistance training has shown to boost muscle mass and overall strength. Of course, it takes more than just protein to grow muscle, but it’s still a crucial component.
Many people end their workouts with protein shakes, which can support muscle growth, make you feel full, and meet your recommended intake.
3. Maintain Weight
If you’re on a weight loss journey, adding protein to your diet can help you move further along quicker.
Studies have proven that consuming the recommended amount of protein or more not only reduces body weight, but “enhances body composition by decreasing fat mass” (2020). If you’re struggling to see results, then adding more protein to your diet might be the answer.
Another main component of maintaining your weight is to exercise and move your body regularly. At Fitness By Maryam, we thrive by helping women of all ages get the training they deserve. Whether you’re looking for a personal trainer or want to try a small group class, our women-only gym offers everything you need.
Join Us at Fitness By Maryam!
Any questions? Feel free to reach out to us via email, phone call, or stop by the gym for a tour! We offer both in-person and online Zoom classes so you can enjoy working out from anywhere you choose!
You can also check out our upcoming events for this month on Instagram at
@FitnessByMaryam.
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