12/29/2015
WHY PROTEIN IS IMPORT TO LOSE WEIGHT...
I felt it answered some great questions and was a good guideline to follow. Why is the right amount of protein the key to weight loss and optimal health? Today I'll tell you how not getting enough affects your body.
Proteins make up the majority of molecules in your body. Not just muscle, but also hormones like insulin. They are also what enzymes are made of. Enzymes catalyze the vast majority of metabolic reactions in your body. No enzymes, life does not exist!
When you're short on protein for one day, you slow your metabolism down because now your body needs to convert other molecules like glucose and fat to amino acids (protein building blocks). This is no easy task, and a lot of energy is diverted from other processes. Continued lack of protein adds another layer of fewer enzymes being produced, and decreased hormone levels.
This is why I often hear "But I just ate a salad, why didn't I lose weight?" If you look at your body like you do a car, carbohydrates may be the gasoline, but protein is the ignition, the accelerator, the break, and the steering wheel!
Making sure you're getting enough protein is key to keeping your body functioning optimally! Here are some rough guidelines for women and men.
Women
Breakfast — 10-40 grams of protein
Lunch — 15-25 grams of protein (stay with 15 unless you are an athlete)
Dinner — 25-60 grams of protein
Men
Breakfast — 15-60 grams of protein (use higher numbers if you are an athlete)
Lunch — 20-35 grams of protein (use higher numbers if you are an athlete)
Dinner — 35-70 grams of protein
