Protien Intake

What is protein?

Proteins are made up of many building blocks, known as amino acids.

Why is it important?

Protein is essential for cell and tissue growth, protein is particularly important during periods of rapid growth or increased demand, such as childhood, pregnancy, breast feeding and to support fitness goals. They also provide many essential function in the body including; digestion, immune function, bodily functions, transportation of essential molecules around the body, muscle movement and growth.

Protien also has other benefits such as weight control; due to the feeling of fullness when consuming high protein foods and improved athletic performance; due to proteins role in repairing and strengthening muscle tissue after exercise.

How can I get protein in my diet?

Protein can be found in both plant and animal-based foods. Such as:

• Beef

• Chicken

• Salmon

• Eggs

• Cheese

• Milk

• Beans

• Nuts

• oats

It can also be supplemented by protein products such as shakes and bars to help you reach your protein goals.

How much protein do I need to eat a day?

You will need different protein intake at different stages of your life. For an average adult the recommendation is to consume at least 0.83g of protein for every kilogram of body weight. However if you are doing regular exercise this can increase up to 1.2-2g per body weight to optimise muscle growth.

It is beneficial to eat the recommended protein for the stage of your life but it is also important to ensure you are not eating too much protein as this can have negative effects, such as weight gain, due to a surplus of calories.