PROTEINS – how much, when, what to do, what not, are they dangerous and why without them there is no longevity and health?
I secretly hope that it becomes mainstream that protein intake should not be feared because if it were really so easy to turn into Hulk steroidized boulders everyone around us would be carved out of a rock, and we’re not, right?
To draw a parallel: if you start cooking every day you will not become a masterchef, nor by buying a pumped-up car a Formula 1 champion.
By consuming the right amounts of protein, you will not become cumbersome and in fact, except that most of you will build a beautifully defined so-called ‘lean’ body and lose fat deposits, you will feel invincible and energetic, you will be more functional and healthier people.
The vast majority of you reading this consume too little of them. How much too little? Well, from my surveys and customer experience you eat roughly only 1/3 of the required daily intake. No, I’m not generalizing. Indeed it does. Mostly this is because the focus is on just eating something that has protein, not how many of them are actually ingested. I would especially like to refer to us women who are conditioned socially that “it is not ladylike to eat much”. Sentences of type:
“What are you really going to eat?” Or “You could stuff less food into yourself. “Who’s going to marry you fat?” And similar statements from which I have a gag reflex.
Also, if you see the inscription “rich in protein” on the product in the store because “protein donut”, “protein chocolate” and similar products are popular… and it has 3 g of protein per 100 g of product, which means that it literally contains only that much of them. For example, if it is a biscuit or chips that has 67 g of carbohydrates and 45 g of fat per 100 g, and approximately 348 kcal (and the package is, for example, 300 g and all that x 3, and thus you have entered the almost all-day required number of calories in one meal), then this is NOT a protein product but a good cover for those who do not look at labels. If a product has less than 15 g of protein per 100 g, then we do not consider it a protein product, and even then, if it is processed and not a complete food, it is necessary to check its caloric value because it is not uncommon to buy and consume protein bars and similar products to start gaining weight thinking that you are “healthy” eating.
If your goal is to raise your health and quality of life, you have started or plan to start exercising, you have a desire and you want to finally reach your optimal desired appearance – you do not have much choice. You simply need to adjust your diet. It is not said without reason that the key to health and progress is a balanced, balanced diet that is rich in protein. The key is to base your diet around protein.
So, if you are determined to finally get results this time on your fitness journey to the desired form and health, you have to accept that proteins are an indispensable part of this path and that they are healthy and our body badly needed foods.
I will say this loud and clear, so that you remember this: the lack of protein in your diet shortens your life and reduces its quality. End of story.
Protein is the building block of your DNA, so if that’s not important enough and a good reason to consume it in the prescribed amounts, I don’t know what is. In order to summarize all the use of protein for your body in the simplest and most comprehensive way, I have listed all the functions of proteins and their benefits for our body. When you read this, I hope not that you will not avoid them, but consume them at every available opportunity.
The role of proteins in the human body
- Building – protein is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage and skin. Your hair and nails are mostly made up of protein.
- Recovery – your body uses protein to build and recover tissues.
- Oxygenation – red blood cells contain a protein component that transports oxygen throughthe body. This helps to supply the whole body with nutrients.
- Digestion – almost half of the protein from your diet that you consume on a daily basis goes into the formation of enzymes that help digest food and create new cells and chemicals in the body.
- Regulation – proteinplayplays play an important role in the regulation of hormones, especially during the transformation and development of cells in puberty.
All the complexity and diversity of protein structures of human tissue consists of only about twenty amino acids, of which only nine are considered essential or essential. Looking from this perspective, our need for protein in the diet actually comes down to the need for essential amino acids – which are essential because we can enter them exclusively through food.
These essential amino acids are: leucine, lysine, isoleucine, threonine, tryptophan, methionine, valine, phenylalanine and histidine. In translation, this means that every person in a day needs to enter an adequate dose of proteins rich in these amino acids in order for the body to function well, and if this is difficult to achieve only with food – protein supplements come on the scene, around which numerous mysteries and myths such as e.g. that the protein will make our kidneys fail or that we will get acne from whey. There are many of them and I wouldn’t even go into that quagmire of scientifically unsupported claims.
Today, the industry of fitness supplements and dietary supplements is extremely advanced and diverse, so you can find an abundance of various protein compositions and forms on the market – from powders through protein bars to vegan beverage options.
When and how much protein to enter the body on a daily basis?
Well guys, it’s time to calculate our needs. Even if math awakens traumatic high school memories for you, determining your daily protein needs (using that scary thing called the equation) could simply make meal planning your new favorite hobby. Look for the calculation at the end of the text.
When we talk about the minimum daily dose of protein, it depends on many factors – your fitness goals, age, lifestyle, weight…
What is certainly valid universally is that the daily dose of protein is expressed in grams per kilogram of body weight g/kg, where the minimum daily serving of protein starts at 0.8 g per kilogram of weight. However, for most people, 0.8 g/kg of protein is too small – especially for people who move optimally and actively play sports of any type.
The rule is actually simple – the more you move and the more active you are, the more protein you need. It is immediately important to indicate that myths about the body’s inability to ‘digest’ and absorb proteins are really just legends, and that there are no credible studies that show that protein intake is harmful to human health. On the other hand, what has been repeatedly proven is that an adult can greatly reduce the growth of body fat percentage if they increase their protein intake to as much as 3.3 grams per kilogram of weight. So, a healthy adult man can consume up to 300 grams of protein in a day – without any fear and with the knowledge that he actually does the best for his health.
Remember that calculating your daily dose of protein is based on your actual body weight, not the ideal weight you want to achieve. So if you’re on a diet to reduce body fat or play sports and want to maximize fat reduction and not lose muscle mass, you need to take 2.3-3.1 g/kg of protein per day. Overweight or obese people should consume 1.2-1.5 g/kg of protein throughout the day to promote weight loss and be in a calorie deficit.
As for the time period of protein intake in the body, it is best to distribute the intake through multiple meals per day.
Recent studies have shown that it is best to consume about 40 grams of protein about 3-4 hours after or before training, in order to maximize muscle growth and regeneration (so-called peri-workout time). But what you have to take into account is that if you are a less active person, that is, you do not train the whole body, you can reduce your protein intake to 25 to 30 grams per meal – already this will be enough. For those who burden the body with frequent training, the dose is somewhat higher because they need a higher intake of amino acids.
Tips & Tricks for adequate protein intake throughout the day
Below, I’ve singled out small tips for you on how to get more protein through all the meals of the day.
Protein after waking up
By consuming protein as the first meal of the day, you certainly help reduce inflammation in the body because in the beginning you reduce the so-called. insulin spike. This way your metabolism during the day will less demand fast carbohydrates and nutritionally poor foods.
Medical research shows that the body is most sensitive to the effect of amino acids in protein 24 hours after training. Quality quickly absorbed whey protein is therefore a great choice to start a new day, as a breakfast for muscles.
For example, in the morning you can combine Greek yogurt with one or two scoops of whey protein or eat a large egg omelet. Also, it is easy to prepare popular ‘overnight oats‘, or ‘stagnant’ oatmeal soaked in yogurt or milk with the addition of protein powder (the key is that protein is the majority of not oatmeal, chia seeds, 5 types of fruit, honey, syrup and the like, in unlimited quantities), which will give you a sufficient intake of fiber, antioxidants and proteins for the beginning of the day.
More recipe ideas can be found on my Instagram profile &andreasolomun under ‘Recipes & Inspo’ and recipes in my & Body program in the customer support group. Access to this group is provided to subscribers of the & Body program.
Protein intake throughout the day
Snacks in the form of snacks should definitely be replaced with a protein shake, bar, or sliced pieces of ham, tofu or similar foods, which can serve as a delicious, sweet snack, while also helping you to enter protein without feeling that you are eating cheese, meat or eggs five times a day. It is important that the main meals of the day, dinner and lunch, plan around protein sources. Consider consuming fish, meat, soy, seitan and similar protein sources to which you add the right amount of vegetables (about 400 grams per day) and a lower proportion of carbohydrates (starch – starch) that serve as ‘fuel’ to your body.
Before bedtime
It is recommended that we do not eat at least three hours before going to bed before bed, so that digestion rests and does not ‘work’ during the night, but you can drink a protein shake.
Namely, consumption before bedtime can be very effective, and it is best to choose casein, which is also called ‘night protein’. Casein is easily absorbed and allows muscles to continuously consume protein during sleep, which promotes muscle regeneration and recovery.
Protein before or after training
Although there is often heated debate on this topic, scientific studies show that it does not matter when, before or after training, you consume protein.
Consuming protein before training will help you have more endurance and more energy, and if you opt for a protein shake or post-workout meal, it can help you maintain a balance between strenuous and muscle growth. In any case, in conclusion, it can be said that for optimal body function ingestion and muscle growth, it is crucial to enter the optimal dose of protein throughout the day, so you do not have to worry too much about whether you have ingested them 30 or 45 minutes after training.
As adequate protein intake is very important when working within
the Body program
(to ensure the progress of muscle mass growth as well as other mentioned functions that proteins perform) in cooperation with
Spin2sport
we have provided you with a discount on premium proteins without added sugars and artificial flavors. The protein discount code is “ANDREASOLOMUN10”.
‘Meal prep’ for convenience
Planning and cooking protein-rich foods in advance can make your life VERY easier. If you come home tired after taking a quick salad from McDonald’s, probably not very rich in protein. But, if you have some pre-prepared protein on hand (such as roasted chicken drumsticks, dry-fried strips of tofu, cooked pods or peas), you can effortlessly add them to your meal, meeting your protein needs.
Enrich desserts with protein
The “add, don’t limit” philosophy focuses on enrichment, not elimination. If you crave a particular cookie, don’t think about throwing it out. Add nutrients or protein to it instead. The combination with Greek yogurt and blueberries, for example, increases the density of nutrients, eliminates the restrictive mentality, increases pleasure and reduces the possibility of excessive enjoyment in extra portions because protein increases satiety.
I hope these strategies help you – I use them in working with clients, from stubborn athletes to busy people and moms with barely sleeping infants.
Remember, protein intake does not mean that they will only magically turn into muscles. With our daily activities, we indicate to the body how to use these nutrients.
Do you want to develop a concrete, athletic and chiseled physique and be healthier and more energetic?
Then you have to follow some program (or at least a structured approach to training) that involves a progressive load.
Program
& Body
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Calculate your daily protein intake
Men
For men who are physically small to medium active, the daily protein recommendation is 1.2 – 1.7 grams per kilogram of weight per day.
Women
Women often have less need for protein intake, but for those who are small to medium active, I still recommend them to build and preserve muscle (hormonal balance, menopause and post menopause) 1.2-1.5 grams per kilogram of body weight per day intake.
I like a very dear calculator where you can enter additional parameters:
https://tdeecalculator.net/
As a reminder, if you use my program, if your goal is to lose excess weight (without losing muscle mass) or breastfeed – these amounts will need to be increased. Please do not be afraid of protein (unless of course you have some medical condition and prescribed by a doctor that you should not consume protein as a healthy person).
Sources:
- Dietary Protein and Muscle Mass: Translating Science to Application and Health Benefit – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31121843/
- How much protein do you need per day? – https://examine.com/guides/protein-intake/
- Dietary protein for athletes: from requirements to optimum adaptation – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22150425/
- How much protein should you consume every day? – https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/how-much-protein-should-you-consume-every-day.html