At Biofit Performance in Oviedo, FL, we help you get your fittest, whether your goal is to lose weight, be a top athlete or be your best no matter what your age. It takes a workout program and a diet that contains the healthiest protein, carbs and fats that’s designed to reach your goal. Not everyone needs the same type or amount of protein. If you’re a vegetarian, you’ll want a different type of protein than those who eat meat. Older people that don’t use protein as well and people trying to build muscle tissue need more protein than others. What’s the best type of protein to include in your diet? The answer depends on you.
Protein is important for building muscles, but also for every cell in your body.
Protein is necessary to build cells and repair tissues. It can be a hormone that acts as a messenger, part of the enzyme production process and is in many of the body’s biochemicals. It’s a building block for all cells in the body from hair, fingernails, blood bones, skin and cartilage to brain tissue. Unlike fat, the body doesn’t store protein, which leaves it no reserves if food isn’t available, so it burns muscle tissue. There are twenty amino acids that make up protein necessary for the body and the body can only produce 11 of those. The other nine must come from diet and are called essential amino acids. You need to consume all nine essential amino acids daily.
There are some great sources of protein that you should consider.
One of the top sources of protein that’s recommended for most people’s diet is seafood, particularly fatty fish like salmon. Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids and low in saturated fats. Tuna, trout and sardines are also good. Clams, shrimp, lobster, muscles and scallops are also good seafood choices. Skinless, white-meat poultry, lean beef, milk and milk products, eggs, lean pork and beans are also good sources.
If you’re trying to lose weight, protein can help you do that.
Not only does protein help you build muscle tissue and the more muscle tissue you have, the more calories you burn, it also makes you feel fuller longer. If you’re over 50, it’s particularly difficult to get adequate protein, especially if you’re trying to build muscle or maintain muscle mass. That’s because your body doesn’t digest or use protein as well as it did when you were younger. Athletes need more protein, as well. If you’re vegan, sticking with plant sources like soy, beans and lentils are good protein sources for vegetarians.
- The amount of protein you need varies by age, physical activity, gender and special conditions, such as pregnancy. Active people need between 0.5 to 0.9 grams per day per pound of weight.
- While it’s harder for vegetarians to get complete proteins, it’s not impossible. One complete protein source is quinoa. Combining complementary vegetarian proteins throughout the day can also provide all the complete proteins you require.
- You can get protein from snacking, too. Edame, a soy product, is a protein source, just as dip from Greek yogurt, cheese and crackers, seeds, hard-boiled eggs and nuts or nut butters are good snacking sources.
- Protein supplements can be a quick way to ensure you get all the protein you need in your diet. Add them to smoothies for a meal on the go. People who have problems processing adequate protein or have increased protein needs, benefit from supplements.
For more information, contact us today at BioFit Performance