We all love protein. Few things are as satisfying as a well-cooked steak or as fun as a barbeque outdoors with friends and family. Yet in as much as we enjoy digging into Turkey at thanksgivings, during the rest of the year we may neglect to eat enough protein for our body to run at peak efficiency. This may be problematic, especially for healthy and active adults that exercise regularly. In this article we break down why protein is so important, how much protein you should be eating, and how you can improve your protein intake if necessary.
Importance of Protein
Protein is a macronutrient that is most popularly related with muscle growth and maintenance. That’s because protein is the building block of muscles and is used to repair your muscles when they get damaged (such as during exercise) or assist in their growth. Protein may be more important for those recovering from an injury that has left them bed-bound for a period of time, as their muscles may have atrophied during their period of stagnancy.
How much Protein Should I Be Consuming?
There are simple mathematical formulas that can be used to calculate how much protein you should be consuming. For instance, the Dietary Reference Intake suggests that you should consume .36 grams of protein per pound of body weight (.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight). This is the minimum amount of protein for a sedentary individual, but this number may grow to .82 grams of protein per pound of body weight (1.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight) if you exercise regularly.
This means that if you are a 130-pound (62 kilograms) adult, you will need to consume a minimum of (130 x .36) of 46.8 grams of protein up to (130 x .82) 106.6 grams of protein.
How Do I Increase My Intake of Protein?
Protein can be mostly found in animal tissue; by consuming meat-based products like poultry or in fishes. Proteins can also be found in dairy products like cheeses, milk, and eggs. If you are on a vegan diet or are avoid meat-based products, however, you can consider increasing your intake of nuts and legumes that are high in plant-based proteins. You can also consider consuming whey or plant-based proteins as a dietary supplement.
Healthy Eating at Discovery Village At Southlake
At Discovery Village At Southlake, we prioritize the cultivation of healthy eating habits in our residents. As part of our exclusive senior living programs, our Sensations Dining experience brings healthy, balanced meals to our residents that are chockful of the nutrients our bodies need for healthy living. Not only are our meals healthy, but they are also extremely delicious as they are prepared by gourmet chefs who prepare cuisine from the world over. This way you can enjoy exquisite meals without every worrying about things like meeting the daily protein requirements for seniors. If you are looking to move into a senior living community, and you enjoy quality food that nourishes both the body and heart, come check us out at Discovery Village At Southlake today!
