Protein is commonly referred to as the building blocks of life. Protein helps the body maintain and repair itself. Protein is made up of amino acids.
Function of Protein
Protein is found all over the human body and every cell contains protein. Skin, organs, muscles and glands all contain protein.
For your body to repair cells the food you eat needs to contain some amount of protein. Even during childhood, it is important to help with growth and development.
Sources of Protein
We can get protein from things like fish, eggs, meat, and milk; you can also get protein from plant sources like beans and nut butters. In order to get the required amount of protein that your body needs you do not need to eat any animal products but it does make it a little bit more difficult to get your required daily amount of protein that your body requires.
Amino acids which make up protein can be put into three groups:
- Conditional
- Non-essential
- Essential
Below is a list of conditional amino acids which are not normally essential apart from when you are stressed or ill:
- Cysteine
- Ornithine
- Proline
- Serine
- Tyrosine
- Arginine
- Glycine
- Glutamine
Below is a list of non-essential amino acids these can be made by the body during the normal breakdown of proteins:
- Alanine
- Asparagine
- Aspartic acid
- Glutamic acid
The last group are essential amino acids which must be consumed with food or from a protein formula which is normally taken as a drink or protein bar:
- Isoleucine
- Leucine
- Lycine
- Phenylalanine
- Threonine
- Tryptophan
- Valine
- Histidine
- Methionine
Some other sources of protein are:
- Turkey and chicken without the skin Methionine
- Lean pork or beef, try things like, tenderloin or top sirloin (cut away the fat)
- Fish or even try shellfish
- Black beans, lentils, split peas
- Dairy products that are low in fat
- Seeds, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, almonds
Final words:
I personally find that it is easier for me to get in a good amount of protein from taking supplements which makes it more convenient and less time consuming. As a personal trainer I have a busy schedule and often work during normal mealtimes so it is much easier to grab a protein bar or shake while on the move.
I also have clients that use supplements as they also find it much easier and it is better to have a protein bar rather than having a biscuit or bar of chocolate.
I often see so many people losing weight, but they still have all the wobbly bits that they have been trying so hard to lose. In these cases, they have lost weight but not the excess fat that they wanted to lose. What people get caught up in is losing weight rather than looking at losing fat.
Answer this question:
If you were 5Lbs heavier than your desired weight but looked great, were toned and had no wobbly bits would it matter what the scales said?
Too many people end up being a fat skinny person! They have got to the weight they wanted to be but have not achieved the look that they thought they would get from being that weight.
I have proven this to hundreds of satisfied clients over the years.
If you are interested in getting in shape and want a personal trainer in Glasgow then give me a call!
