5 Surprising reasons to eat more protein

Eating Enough Protein Is Key To A Healthy Diet – But Do You Know Why?

Here are five health-reasons to eat protein (nothing to do with muscle!)

What Is Protein?

Protein is one of the three macronutrients that all foods are made of (the other two are carbohydrates and fats). Chicken, eggs, fish, dairy products, tofu are all good sources of protein.

Protein & Body Transformation

But why do we need it?

Protein is key for building and maintaining muscle tissue, but is also important for almost every function in the body, including cell signalling and hormone production.

Our bodies can’t store protein, so we need to eat enough of it regularly to help our bodies stay strong and healthy.

How Much Protein Should You Eat?

Most people don’t eat enough protein, but there’s no need to go over the top.

Start with 2g protein per 1kg body weight and track the changes in your body, energy, strength, and wellbeing.

Remember that this is 2g of the macronutrient, not of the food (for example, 100g chicken breast is about 30g protein).

5 Health-Based Reasons To Eat Enough Protein…

As a coach, I’m passionate about telling people all the reasons to eat a healthier diet.

Protein isn’t just the “muscle building” macronutrient.

There are plenty of other very good reasons to eat sufficient amounts of quality protein in your daily diet.

1.) Appetite Control

Eating enough protein is a powerful tool if you want to lose weight. Protein actually reduces your body’s level of ghrelin (the “hunger hormone”) – an obvious benefit when you want to reduce cravings and stop snacking. (1)

2.) Better Bone Density

Protein is really good for your bones as well as your muscles.

Studies show that people who eat enough protein have lower risk of osteoporosis and maintain better bone density as they get older. (2)

3.) Burn More Bodyfat

Protein has the highest thermic effect of food (TEF) of the three macronutrients, meaning your body uses more energy to digest it.

Why is this important? TEF makes up part of your total metabolic rate and can significantly increase the calories you burn during the day. (3)

4.) Maintain Your Weight Loss

Maybe you’ve successfully lost weight, but now your focus is on keeping the weight off.

Protein can help. I’ve already mentioned that a higher protein intake boosts your metabolism and keeps you feeling fuller.

This will automatically result in a slight caloric deficit over time, which is what you need to keep your weight stable at a new lower bodyweight. (4)

5.) Age Well

Eating enough protein is also important for long-term health and wellness as we get older.

As we get older, the process of sarcopenia means we lose muscle at a pretty scary rate (4-8% a decade after the age of 30, and more after 60!)

You can offset this age-related sarcopenia by enough protein – and you’ll boost the effects more by doing regular exercise and strength training of course.

Want to start eating a healthier diet to transform your body?

Drop me a line to talk about my coaching services.

Coach Joseph Webb.

 

Blog References:

  1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15466943/
  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16373952/
  3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11838888/
  4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14710168/
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