You’ve probably heard the buzz around protein, but why is it so important?

Worrying about your protein intake used to be something reserved for the most dedicated of bodybuilders, who knew that eating enough protein is essential for building show-stopping muscles.

But keeping up with your protein needs has since moved into the mainstream as we’ve all realised that getting enough not only helps support muscle growth, but it also makes eating well feel like less of a chore.

What does protein do?

Protein is essential for every cell in the body. It helps to build and repair muscle, cells, and tissue, and it’s so effective that it’s commonly known as the ‘building blocks’ of the body.

But it does much more than that. Protein plays a part in strengthening your immune system, transporting oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, helping cells communicate, and it even helps give your hair, nails, and skin a protective barrier.

In short, protein helps to keep our bodies functioning. A lack of protein can lead to muscle loss, fatigue, and weakness, although it’s incredibly rare to become protein deficient in developed countries.

How does protein help with weight loss?

Increasing how much protein you eat is a fantastic way to encourage weight loss. It helps you to feel fuller for longer, because protein-rich foods are digested slower than carbohydrates. This can help you to eat less, as when you’re feeling satisfied, you’re much less likely to overeat or seek out unhealthy snacks.

Protein helps to preserve your muscle mass while you lose fat, which boosts your metabolism as your muscles continue to burn calories even when you’re at rest.

How much protein do I need?

How much protein you need varies from person to person and depends on how old you are, how tall you are, how much you weigh, and how active you are. In general, you should aim to get at least 0.75g of protein per kg of bodyweight, but if you’re trying to lose weight it’s a good idea to increase this to around 1.2g – 1.8g of protein per kg of bodyweight.

For example, if you weigh 110kg, you might aim to eat 132g of protein a day.

Sources of protein

Aim to include a source of protein in every meal. Good sources of protein include:

  • Lean meats, like chicken and turkey
  • Seafood, like tuna, salmon, and mackerel
  • Eggs
  • Dairy products, like Greek yoghurt, cheese
  • Legumes, like edamame (soybeans), lentils, borlotti beans
  • Tofu and tempeh
  • Nuts and seeds, like hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, and almonds

You can also buy protein-enriched foods, including (but not limited to!) shakes, bars, pancakes, brownies, and cookies. You don’t need to eat any of these to get enough protein in your diet, but if you feel like you need a boost (perhaps after a particularly tough workout), be sure to check the label as many of these packaged foods are surprisingly high in calories, fat, and salt.

A good way to ensure you’re getting enough protein is to make sure you’re eating a wide variety of food. Don’t just stick to your usual meals – challenge yourself to make a meal with a vegetarian source of protein, or snack on nuts and seeds.