Why protein is so important

Image from Flickr, by tarale

 

Protein is one of the most important macronutrients you can eat.  It's essential in the building of muscle, and studies indicate that it's also key in helping stave off hunger.  However, that's not all that protein can do.

You see, protein also has some unique qualities that make it essential if you're wanting to lose the nasty fat.

Of all the nutrients you could eat, protein does something pretty awesome.  It fires up your metabolism just be being in your stomach.


Protein isn't all that easy for your body to digest.  That sounds like a problem, but that's actually one of the best reasons to eat it.  It's more difficult for your body to digest, not impossible.  To digest it, it fires up your metabolic engine, burning calories the whole way.

The result is that you actually net fewer calories with protein than you do with fats or carbohydrates. 

Unfortunately, some may regard this aspect as grounds to just eat protein.  The problem is you still need fats and carbs.  While you're sure to get some fats with the protein, most protein sources suck for carbohydrates.  This is why a balanced approach is important.

So, the question is, how much protein should you get.  Me?  I go for a high protein diet with between 25 and 35 percent of my calories coming from protein, and I try to lean on the high side if at all possible.  If you get that from lean protein choice like fish, chicken, and lean beef, you're well on your way to achieving some nice results right there.

Couple that with your workout and the rest of your diet, and you'll find yourself really burning that fat and really setting yourself up nicely for that healthy lifestyle.