If you want to know about protein diet food and how to find healthy food sources which are high in protein then read this article. In this article, you will learn how to find healthy food sources which are high in protein and also the important things you need to know about protein diet food.
Proteins are the building blocks of our bodies and we must eat protein to build our bodies (tissues, skin, bones, hair). Protein is also one of the food sources, which provides energy. Approximately ten percent of the protein we eat is converted into energy; the rest goes into building and repairing our bodies.
Some people who are trying to lose weight follow high protein diets. These include the Atkins diet, the Southern Californian Diet, and the Mediterranean Diet. People on these diets eating large amounts of protein diet food rather than carbohydrates that can trigger the body into giving up its fat stores.
Unlike carbs, proteins are complex things that can not be stored in our bodies. If we have excess, foods in our bodies store the excess as fat (not protein). As we can not store protein, it is important to eat some protein-rich food every day. Men need to consume about fifty-five grams of protein a week and women about forty-five grams.
There have been many studies to look at the effects of protein and weight loss. The bottom line with any diet is that you must use up more energy than you consume to lose weight. Switching from high fat low fiber diets to eating mainly protein diet food is definitely going to benefit your cardiovascular system, your energy levels, and your general health.
A great benefit of protein diet food is that it makes you feel fuller and more satisfied than carb diets. This means you tend to eat less, which helps you lose the weight. Remember that it is important to choose a diet that is going to fit in with your lifestyle.
The major source of protein for most people is from animal products, such as red meat. However many cuts of red meat contain ‘unhealthy’ LDL cholesterol, which is bad for our circulation and cardiovascular system. The recommended amount of red meat we should consume each week should be no more than five hundred grams. A better source of protein is from white meat and fish. These are low in fats and ‘unhealthy’ LDL cholesterol and won’t lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Fish and seafood are an excellent source of protein. Oil-rich fish including wild salmon, tuna, herring, sardines, and mackerel are high in protein and Omega-3. Omega-3 is known as a ‘brain food’ and as well as helping with mental functions and memory, it also lessens the chances of cardiovascular problems. The recommended amount of fish we should keep each week should be about two or three portions a week.
Eggs are a wonder food and an excellent source of protein as they contain all eight amino acids. As eggs are quite small in portion size, you need to eat quite a few to get all of the protein you need from them. In fact, you would need fifty-six a week. Therefore include eggs, but also include seafood and oily fish for the best sources of protein.
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