Why Is Protein So Important?

If you are someone who is interested in fat loss or even building muscle then you need to know how important adding protein to your diet is and how it affects your body. I often get asked a lot of questions about protein and what makes it so important. Many women I have found seem to be a little apprehensive about consuming too much protein believing that it will cause them to gain unwanted weight. So lets look at a few of the main reasons why protein is an absolute must in your diet and why you can't afford to be without it. 
I want to begin by explaining exactly what protein is and how it works in the body. Protein is the building blocks of life. The body needs it to repair and maintain itself. You could actually compare it to a maintenance person keeping the body in running order. The basic structure of protein is a chain of amino acids.  

When protein is digested the amino acids are left. The human body needs a large amount of amino acids to break down food as well. These amino acids need to be eaten in large amount for good health. You can find amino acids in food sources such as meats, fish, eggs, milk, whey, and nut butters. You can find them in beans, legumes, and grains as well, however these also contain more carbohydrates which is not best for fat loss.
Protein is a must fat loss. By consuming protein you are going to feel full for a longer period of time and will actually end up eating less throughout the day. Also, by simply eating protein more often will help in reducing your hunger, cravings and leave you with lasting energy. So instead of grabbing that bag of potato chips, have a delicious whey protein shake. Protein can help in both maintaining a healthy weight or losing fat if that is your goal. To enjoy the benefits of protein make sure you eat it at each meal and also for a snack during the day.
The next reason why protein is a must is because it is going to help with building muscle. Weight training will build the muscle of course, but by fueling your body with protein after a workout it will help stimulate muscle protein synthesis and provide signals to build new muscle tissue. I prefer whey protein as my source of protein after a workout and suggest it to my clients as well.

 The amino acids that your body needs are found in a high-quality whey protein. Also, whey protein will help in fat burning and stop the catabolic process in your muscles.
Finally, the reason you must be sure that you're getting enough protein is because it will go a long way towards improving your metabolic rate. Simply consuming protein you can cause a metabolic spike in the body. This is because protein actually requires the body to burn off energy through the process of digesting it when consumed and you surely won't get that affect when eating carbs or fat. Pretty cool huh?

Stroud Fitness
Leslie