When it comes to body maintenance and repair, protein is an essential nutrient. Your body needs it to build muscle and retain a healthy body shape. However, it’s important to understand that there are various types of protein, which vary in quality. Some proteins are much better for you than others, and it should be your goal to get as much of these into you as possible.
Many studies have shown the importance of eating a balanced diet full of foods in the natural state. It’s not a surprising finding. Processed foods – no matter how healthy they may claim to be – are almost never as good as unprocessed, home cooked foods.
So where should your protein be coming from?
In an ideal world, you’d get your protein from natural, unprocessed sources. Things like meat, fish, and eggs are great sources of protein, especially if you are an active person who has high protein requirements for muscle regeneration.
If you prefer a vegetable-based diet, it’s still possible to meet your protein requirements, although harder. Foods like quinoa, beans, and lentils are high in proteins. They should be combined with a lot of dairy and milk products, along with a healthy selection of fresh vegetables. If you do decide to avoid meats or animal products, careful meal planning is essential to make sure you get the required nutrients.
When are the most important times to eat high-protein foods?
If you are an active person, then the most important time to eat protein-rich foods is undoubtedly an hour or two following a workout. Doing this will provide your body with the nutrients it needs for muscular repair and regeneration. Try to avoid high-protein foods pre-workout, as they take a lot of energy to digest and may reduce your performance levels.
When are protein shakes ok?
Really, you should avoid getting your protein from shakes if possible. The protein powders and derivatives in most protein shakes are heavily processed and come from a range of sources, which means that they aren’t always very healthy. It’s worth doing your research on the various types of protein powder and choosing one that has the least amount of artificial additives.
However, the importance of consuming a high protein meal soon after a heavy training session can’t be emphasised enough. If you simply don’t have time for a full meal post-workout, then a protein shake isn’t a bad alternative. It is better to get your protein from a shake than ignore your body’s needs altogether.
In reality, nothing is perfect. Train hard and get your protein, however works best for you. Your body will thank you.
Add Comment