Protein: Why Is It So Important?

Whether you’re looking to lose weight or get stronger, we’re always telling people to make sure they eat enough protein. There’s good reasons too.

“What does protein actually do?”

  • Although your body is predominantly made up of water, around 16% of your body is made up of protein. Hair and nails are mostly made of protein!
  • Your body needs protein to make hormones, enzymes and other important body chemicals.
  • You need protein so you body can build and repair tissue.
  • Protein is an important and vital building block of muscles, bones, sin, cartilage and blood.

“Why is protein so important for fat loss then?”

  • It helps keep you fuller for longer
  • It leads to better recovery (think about your aching muscles)
  • Protein helps your body build muscle, creating a toned look
  • It will reduce your cravings and chances of snacking
  • Reduces chances of losing muscle when losing fat

“How much protein do I actually need?”

For each pound of body weight, try to eat between 0.8-1 gram of protein. So for every 1 stone, try and eat around 8.4g to 14g.
Or aim for roughly 2g of protein per 1kg of body weight.
Unsure what 100g, 125g, 150g etc. of protein looks like? Click here for a few examples from a great article on BodyBuilding.com

“I ate loads of protein yesterday, won’t by body use that up today?”

Your body stores carbohydrates and fats that can often be used when you’re running low. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for protein, so you need to aim for your minimum goal each day

What Are The Different Forms of Protein

Protein comes from a huge range of sources, including meat, fish, eggs and milk, but is also found in vegetables

Other sources of protein that are often convenient include whey and casein protein, often found in powder form or in pre-made protein shakes. Whilst whey can be digested by the body at a quicker rate than casein, casein releases protein slowly and often ideal for bedtime. Examples of casein include cottage cheese and milk.

But if you’re simply trying to lose weight, just ensure that you eat enough protein each day!

By | 2019-03-15T10:10:41+00:00 July 17th, 2017|Nutrition|2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Catherine July 18, 2017 at 2:02 pm - Reply

    Great; really useful article. I don’t eat enough (*hides crisps under desk*), so it’s good to remember why it’s so important. Thanks 🙂

  2. admin July 24, 2017 at 8:30 am - Reply

    Thanks for your comment Catherine. We’re all guilty of it, but it’s just ensuring that we keep it to the odd occasion and keep on top of it the rest of the time! 🙂

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