Fintan
A lot of protein
Are diets with a high protein amount healthy?
Sharon Scott
2
votes(Highest rated answer)
Hi Fintan,
Thanks for your question.
I believe when it comes to our food intake there is no one size fits all and what may be healthy for one person may not be for another. An example of a high protein diet being followed by many is the Palaeolithic diet (hunter-gatherer). This advocates a diet similar to that of our ancestors during the stone age. It is believed that this may have been higher in most essential nutrients and the fibre content was believed to be in excess of 100g which is huge compared to the average fibre intake today.
Why is protein an important part of a healthy diet:
Protein provides us with a source of energy. Digestion of protein begins in the stomach to be broken down into amino acids which are utilised to support muscle growth, bones, blood vessels, DNA, RNA, enzymes, antibodies and some hormones.
Proteins are made up from 20 different amino acids, 9 of which are deemed essential and cannot be synthesized by the body so must be consumed within the diet.
Good sources of protein including all of the 9 essential amino acids are meat, fish, poultry, dairy, eggs, tempeh, tofu, beans/lentils and quinoa.
I recommend including a good source of protein at each meal and each snack throughout the day. This can support in optimising blood sugar balance which may support a healthy weight as well as energy levels.
For those of us who are trying to shed a few excess lbs it may serve us well to increase our protein intake slightly and reduce carbohydrate content slightly. Protein supports satiety keeping us fuller for longer.
And for anyone working out completing muscle bearing exercise there will be an increase in the need for protein to build and repair muscles.
Too little protein which is uncommon in our society and is seen commonly in third world countries may lead to malnutrition and ill health. Too much protein on the other hand has been linked to a higher acidity within the body. Specifically cysteine and methionine when metabolised may lead to an increase in acidity. I believe its all about balance and including a good variety of proteins as part of a healthy balanced diet including unrefined carbohydrates and a source of good fats may be the key for many of us.
Best Wishes
Sharon
Thanks for your question.
I believe when it comes to our food intake there is no one size fits all and what may be healthy for one person may not be for another. An example of a high protein diet being followed by many is the Palaeolithic diet (hunter-gatherer). This advocates a diet similar to that of our ancestors during the stone age. It is believed that this may have been higher in most essential nutrients and the fibre content was believed to be in excess of 100g which is huge compared to the average fibre intake today.
Why is protein an important part of a healthy diet:
Protein provides us with a source of energy. Digestion of protein begins in the stomach to be broken down into amino acids which are utilised to support muscle growth, bones, blood vessels, DNA, RNA, enzymes, antibodies and some hormones.
Proteins are made up from 20 different amino acids, 9 of which are deemed essential and cannot be synthesized by the body so must be consumed within the diet.
Good sources of protein including all of the 9 essential amino acids are meat, fish, poultry, dairy, eggs, tempeh, tofu, beans/lentils and quinoa.
I recommend including a good source of protein at each meal and each snack throughout the day. This can support in optimising blood sugar balance which may support a healthy weight as well as energy levels.
For those of us who are trying to shed a few excess lbs it may serve us well to increase our protein intake slightly and reduce carbohydrate content slightly. Protein supports satiety keeping us fuller for longer.
And for anyone working out completing muscle bearing exercise there will be an increase in the need for protein to build and repair muscles.
Too little protein which is uncommon in our society and is seen commonly in third world countries may lead to malnutrition and ill health. Too much protein on the other hand has been linked to a higher acidity within the body. Specifically cysteine and methionine when metabolised may lead to an increase in acidity. I believe its all about balance and including a good variety of proteins as part of a healthy balanced diet including unrefined carbohydrates and a source of good fats may be the key for many of us.
Best Wishes
Sharon
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