A game changer when it comes to your health and generating some sort of result.
It is not a "gym junkie" myth. By increasing your protein intake it can help your body and your overall health with many things. Functioning optimally is number one. If our organs and muscles aren't working efficiently or the way they are supposed to, have a look at your diet. What are your nutritional habits like? It is a good place to start.
So why the focus?
Increasing and adding protein into your daily nutrition can assist with things such as;
healthy tissue and cell reproduction
aid with recovery from illness, day to day movement and your workouts
improve energy levels and help blood sugar levels stabilise
effectively carry oxygen throughout your body, you'll know what I mean with this when you incorporate more protein into your diet
healthy and strong hair, skin and nails
Just to name a few.
A good indicator that you are not consuming enough protein is when your body isn't recovering properly say from a workout or from a cold. If you are ridiculously sore from a workout say 1-2 days later, that is normal. However if you are still sore say 3-5 days later and you have been training for longer than a year, it will be your nutrition. That is usually where the answer will lie.
Vegetarians do not need to fear and your options aren't just meat, meat and more meat. Here are the easiest ways for you to incorporate more protein in your meals:
Eggs/egg whites
Almonds
Chia seeds
Plant based protein powder
Meat - white meat including fish are the leanest meaning they contain high volumes of protein and not much fat
Tofu and Tempeh
Seafood
Dairy product; milk, yoghurt and cheese
Beans, nuts and lentils
Now remember this is not about a high protein diet. This is simply increasing your daily intake of protein to feel and notice the benefits. Take me for a prime example. I am a country girl who grew up on a cattle station, all of the meat in the world in our house hold. And here I was thinking yeah, yeah I eat plenty of protein. So I decided to track my food intake...guess what I was under my protein by at least 60-65g grams A DAY. Doesn't sound like a lot? When you are meant to be consuming around 140-150g per day it is. Remembering that this is NOT a "high protein" diet. This is based off my BMR and my daily activity levels that will calculate my calorie intake that I need in order to function and go about my day to day.
My best advice to clients is to set yourself a goal. Consume protein at EVERY meal including and especially your snack. When I focused on this, WOW! Not only did my body composition change but my energy levels and blood sugar levels were consistent and stable, ALL THE TIME. Not just occasionally but every single day. And a feeling is something no one will forget. People will forget what I say and people will forget what I do BUT people will never forget how I made them feel. When I successfully coach my clients to make these nutritional changes they will always remember how it made them feel. AND that is the silver lining because at the end of the day humans just want to feel better, looking good is just a by-product.
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