How Much Protein Do We Need In A Day?

How can I get more protein in my diet?

How much protein do I need in one day?

Am I getting enough protein?

These are questions that I was asked a lot when I was a personal trainer. I was not crazy about this question because I eat very little meat. Basically no meat. I still eat fish - fresh fish that my boyfriend has caught. And the more I learn about our changing ocean enviornment, pollution, toxins, etc, the less fish I am eating also.

So, I often still get people saying I do not eat enough protein.

But.....

I consume a very large amount of green, leafy vegetables which are actually very high in protein. I also consume some nuts and seeds (soaked and sproated first). I follow a raw food diet mainly and I feel fantastic!

My nails are stronger then they ever have been - ever in my life! My skin looks better than ever also and I am 46 years old! Skin, hair and nails are greatly affected by protein levels and malnutrition. If mine are very healthy, then my protein levels are fine.

I am consuming protein that my body can utlize, absorb and assimilate. It is not fatty, wasted, overcooked, overprocessed, full of hormone and drugs protein like in many meat. Hey, my boyfriend and almost all of my friends eat meat so I do not preach about it.

Dr T.C. Fry wrote "Our protein needs, like our carbohydrate, vitamin, mineral and fat needs, are provided by plans and their fruits. There is no need to turn to the animal world to obtain the essential amino acids. In fact, this is a primary reason why there is so much disease and early death."

Making sure you get "complete" protein has been pushed and promoted by the meat and dairy industries of course! How many people do you know have dairy sensitivities? How many vegetarians and vegans are out there?? Numerous and we are all fine! Many people that consume meat are actually very unhealthy.

If you eat a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, you will get all the essential amino acids you need and you will get your full protein needs.

Most vegetarian animals that eat grass, tubers, fruits, grains, etc, never exhibit signs of protein deficiency.

The amino acids in many complete proteins (cooked meat or dairy products) cannot even be fully used by the body. Consuming the muscle of the body (the meat we do consume), is actually low in some of the essential amino acids. Proteins that have been cooked or heated may lose up to 50% or more of their essential amino acids due to the formation of enzyme-resistant linkages. Many "complete proteins" cannot even be absorbed by the body.

Which fruits and vegetables contain all 8 essential amino acids:
Bananas, tomatoes, dates, almonds, coconuts, filberts, sunflower seeds, walnuts, brazil nuts, pecans, alfalfa sprouts, bean sprouts, seaweeds, carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, corn, okra, squash.

A variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and sprouts can nourish us with all the essential and nonessential amino acids we need. And there are many, many other vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, omega oils, trace minerals, etc that are present in these foods.

As I stated in my last post - it is about eating more of the right foods and less of the wrong foods.

Eating or not eating meat is a personal choice. I have made mine and everyone has to be comfortable with their own decision. If you are going to consume meat I hope that you do buy meat that is organic, hopefully local, that is not full of chemicals, hormones, drugs or plumped up with water. There are health food stores and many butcher shops that sell organic meat.

It is about becoming more aware and educated. The best way to ensure continued health in the future is to educate yourself, learn, read, ask questions, use your intuition, your own good judgement, common sense, etc. Take baby steps and each day you can chose to eat a little healthier than the day before.

I can guarantee you that you will begin to feel better and that will make you want to eat better.

What do you want your future to look like?

What do you want to look like?

Feel like?

Be like?

THINK ABOUT IT!