Finding Your Own Personal Protein Diet

As you may have heard, it is essential to consume protein to maintain a healthy diet. Protein is the key building block for many body tissues and other elements such as enzymes, skin, hair, nails, bones, and connective and muscle tissue. Protein makes up anywhere from 15-20 percent of the average persons body weight, and it is important to maintain this percentage in order live a healthy lifestyle.

The major sources of protein are found in foods such as meats, poultry, tofu, and eggs. Protein can also be found in dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. Other very good sources of protein are in protein drinks and shakes, and good quality meal replacement drinks. You should talk to your physician or other health care professional your use to find out what amount of protein is recommended for your individual body type. However, for the majority of people the recommended daily intake is around 45 to 55 grams every day, based on a 1800 to 2400 calorie diet. Of course, some people may require more or less protein depending on various personal aspects such as diet, amount of exercise, age and weight. Athletes, ( including weekend warriors) body builders, and anyone who exercises heavily on a regular basis will require more protein to build and maintain muscle. Some groups who might require more protein than average are people with chronic illnesses or those prone to get sick including seniors, and bariatric, renal, cancer, and surgical patients.

Want more protein and don’t want to consume all the extra calories? Protein powders are a powdery mixture of dietary supplements and other ingredients such as whey, whey isolate, creatine, calcium caffeine, isopure and isapro. They are a great source of protein because they are easy to consume and digest. Just think, you can get the same amount or even more protein by just by drinking a high quality protein shake then by eating a steak dinner, or eating a bunch of eggs, but the protein shake is much easier to make and it is better for your digestive system. The protein powder is added to water, milk or any other favorite beverage to make a protein shake. You will be able to make a tasty protein shake by adding fruit or yogurt and milk.

Another form of protein supplement is liquid proteins. They can be made from collagen hydrolysate, or a fruit enzyme called predigested papain. Liquid proteins are protein molecules that have been broken down into free amino acids and polypeptide’s, this increases protein absorption. The advantage to liquid proteins is they provide a large amount of protein in a small amount of substance. Liquid proteins can be easily and unnoticeably mixed with various foods and beverages. Some brands of liquid proteins on the market today are Pro-Stat, Proteinex and, IsoPure.

Another great way to find protein is in protein bars and cookies. Protein bars and cookies are tasty convenient for busy people looking for additional protein consumption. You should keep in mind that a major disadvantage to protein bars and cookies are they can be very high in fats and sugars. If you do not like the idea of protein shakes or liquid protein you can seek additional protein in other nutritional supplements.