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Why You Need Protein to be Healthy

Why You Need Protein to be Healthy
10 Dec 18

Why You Need Protein to be Healthy

Most people know that protein is essential to a healthy diet. They drink protein shakes either before or after a workout. Dieters eat protein bars for a snack to help them lose weight. While you may know protein has value, you may not realize what it does for your body.

The Building Block of the Body

Protein is known as the building block for your body, but exactly what is it building? Your hair and nails are made up mostly of protein. If you don’t get enough, these two areas will let you know first.

You also need protein to build your bones after an injury. Protein builds muscles, cartilage and blood as well as the skin on your body. If you suffer an injury, you’ll need protein to heal. It also makes your hormones and other chemicals found in the body.

How Much Protein You Need

Unlike most minerals and vitamins, which the body requires only a small amount of, it needs a lot of protein. What’s even more important to know is the body doesn’t store protein for use later. Once it gets what it needs for now, the rest is gone. This means you need to eat protein on a regular basis for your body to get what it needs.

However, you don’t need as much protein as you might think. You should eat protein with at least two of your meals, but you only need two or three ounces. If you eat protein as a snack, you can reduce it even further.

Some good sources of protein include the following:

  • Meat
  • Dairy
  • Beans
  • Nuts
  • Eggs

Foods like peanut butter, yogurt, milk, hamburger and cheese will provide enough protein in your diet. If you’re a vegetarian, you can eat beans and nuts to help you get enough protein for your body.

You don’t need to go on a high-protein diet to get enough for your system. Just eat reasonable portions at your meals and your body will thank you.

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