Protein is one of the 3 macronutrients that we have discussed in previous blogs. Most people understand why we need carbohydrates and fats in our diet, but what about the protein?
Today we are going to delve into the reasons why getting the proper amount of protein is important in your nutrition plan.
- Satiety- Satiety is how full or satisfied you feel after eating. Protein is the best macronutrient at increasing this feeling. Additionally, it will help you feel full for longer so you aren’t tempted to sneak in some snacks later in the day!
- TEF- Thermic Effect of Feeding- The thermic effect of feeding is the principle that in order for your body to breakdown and digest food it will burn a certain amount of calories. Protein is the most metabolic expensive macronutrient so you will burn more calories digesting and processing protein than you would carbohydrates or fats.
- Repair Muscles- Protein is required to repair muscles and other tissues that sustain microscopic damage during workout. In order to get your GAINZ you need to build your muscles back stronger than they were before your workout; and the only way to do this is with adequate protein!
- Increase Lean Body Mass- To go along with the point above protein is going to help increase lean body mass after workouts. This is a great thing because this will increase your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). BMR sounds like a really complicated science term but all it means is how many calories you burn just being alive. As your lean body mass increases the BMR increases!
- Hormone Release- You all have heard that our bodies are controlled by hormones but do you know that hormones can be controlled by what we eat. Due to the full profile of amino acids in animal proteins the hormone, Glucagon, that is in part responsible for the release of fat is up-regulated. This means that eating protein will promote your body to release fat into the blood stream to be used for energy!
We hope this sheds some light on how important protein is in your nutrition program! Whether you are looking to drop a few pounds or win the CrossFit Games protein is going to be a major key.