What about Protein?

The next lesson is going to be about protein.  This isn't a very long lesson, but it is good to know why we need it and how the body uses it.

Protein comes in three forms: animals, animal products, and some vegetable/grains.  As most of you already know, meat is protein.  Beef, chicken, pork, fish, etc.  are the animals.  The animal products are milk, cheese, and eggs.  The vegetable/grain sources are beans, nuts, seeds, and some grains like wheat.

Proteins contain all the amino acids that we need to rebuild our body.  Protein is needed for healthy skin, nails, muscle, hair, and for repairing and growing.  Only animal sources contain ALL the amino acids that we need and are called complete proteins.  Plant based sources don't have all the amino acids and are called incomplete proteins.


I don't care whether you are a vegetarian or not, as long as you get all of the protein that you need. I believe that is up to the individual, and not a reason to argue.  When looking at diets, or lifestyle changes, there are many who believe in a Plant based whole food diet, and do great.  Others do just as well limiting their carbs and eating more healthy.  What I have noticed is that both types of successful lifestyles limit the amount of refined carbohydrates.  They try to cut out the processed food, breads, cakes, cookies, sugar, etc.  So whether you get your protein from plants or animals is up to you.

Protein does not turn into fat in your body, so eating it in all forms are fine.  It would be good to have some protein in all of your meals, and the amount would be about the size of your fist.  Insulin is not needed to digest it, so when you do eat it, there will be no insulin floating around in your bloodstream.  I do not suggest going on a high protein/ low carb diet, just because when you have lost weight, you will go back to eating the way you used to and it will all come back.  We are working toward living a new lifestyle, which means slow changes over time so we can stay more healthy.

I am going to post a video about how important it is to start your day with protein, and that is what I would like you all to try to do this week.

Suggestions are:
Eggs, which can be cooked any way.
Omelets or scrambled eggs with meat, cheese, or even a few veggies.
Cottage cheese, or maybe yogurt sweetened with stevia or fresh fruit.
Any kind of meat, and that means bacon, ham, or whatever you want.
Any kind of cheese.

You will feel fuller longer, keep the insulin out of your bloodstream, and hopefully burn some fat until your next meal.

Good luck with this weeks assignment, and I will add the video soon!