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How Much Protein Should You Eat? |
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How Much Protein Should You Eat?
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Darrell Miller | 11/05/16 |
Date:
November 05, 2016 01:48 AM
Author: Darrell Miller
Subject: How Much Protein Should You Eat?
Protein is the major staples of a strong diet along with carbohydrates and fats. Eating them in the proper proportions will help you to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. Despite what you may have heard, most people don't have a problem getting enough protein. The more important thing to focus on is eating the right protein.
So how much protein per day should you eat? The USDA, in their My Food Pyramid guidance system, suggests 0.8g - 1.2g of protein per kilogram of body weight daily. So what the heck does that mean? To determine this for yourself, multiply your weight by 0.45, and that gets you your weight in kilograms. So an 180 lb. The male would weigh 81 kilograms. Multiply that by 0.8 - 1.2 and that person would need about 65g-100g of protein per day.
Proteins are made up of amino acids, one of the main building blocks in our body. They are even found in our DNA. Many are produced by the body (called non-essential amino acids), but others are only obtained from food called essential amino acids. You can get these necessary amino acids from supplements, but the best source is food.
Why are these amino acids so important in burning fat?
Amino acids combine to create structural proteins in the body. Without them, we wouldn't be able to repair and build muscle tissue, which helps keep our metabolism high and helps us burn fat - even resting. Amino acids come from protein sources. If you don't eat enough protein in your diet, you lack the amino acid combination's to keep your body functioning properly.
There are many sources of protein, but not all are good for you. Some protein-rich food also contains a lot of saturated fat. So, you need protein sources that are low in saturated fat but high in the proteins that the body needs to break down and retrieve the essential amino acids.
Here are some examples of lean proteins:
- Red meat - Red meat is full of protein. Leaner cuts such as eye of the round will come with less fat. Grass-fed beef is the best when you can find it because it contains fewer hormones and other unhealthy byproducts.-Fish - Certain fish and shrimp contain protein, as well as other nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids (a member of the "good fats" category). They are good for heart health and overall well-being. Try salmon, mackerel, trout, or tuna.
