Protein, protein, protein! Is it us or is protein at the forefront of all of the health and wellness website and content creators? With ALL of the information, it’s hard to decipher exactly what’s important and what’s right for you. We’re breaking down protein, why it’s important, how much you really need and where to get it from in this blog post. And hopefully, we’re clearing up some confusion and providing more structure along the way.

Protein is one of the most debated macronutrients in terms of how much humans really need. Whether you are on a weight loss journey, managing hunger, in training for a sport, fueling up for your weekend warrior activities, or just want to work on maintaining your muscle mass, protein is important for your metabolism.

Often times, protein is used predominantly as a way to satisfy hunger, but it actually provides your body with so much more. The human metabolism is designed to allow us to function for longer periods of time without any macronutrients coming into the body. However, the reality is that in the modern world, food is around all of the time. In order to deal with hunger and environmental triggers, while also recovering from sources of increased activity and stress that may be a part of your lifestyle, being mindful of your protein intake is hugely important.

Why is protein so important?

First, It is the most powerful macronutrient for managing hunger and cravings. Water and fiber can help with that as well, but protein is the star of the show when it comes to getting your hunger, energy, and cravings in check. In addition, since protein helps with getting these 3 biofeedback markers in check, you are creating a calorie deficit without even thinking about it. In every study where researchers have taken protein and substituted it calorie for calorie in place of fat or carbohydrate, people tend to lose weight and have less hunger.

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How much protein do I need?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. But consider your personal preference as the guide here. You may love to count your macros and you want a hard number, or you may despise counting and would prefer to just follow some general guidelines. For those of you who want to be a little bit more intuitive, the idea is to include enough protein at every meal to feel balanced in hunger, energy, mood, and cravings. For the hard-numbers types, aim for about .5 - 1 gram per pound of body weight depending on your goals and what your body tolerates (keep in mind any health conditions, energy needs, sport performance and weight loss goals).

What are the best sources of protein?

The best source of protein, as silly as it sounds, is going to be from protein sources that are mostly protein. For example, beans are mostly starch and nuts are mostly fat, although both do have some protein in them. Prioritize lean protein sources and you’ll be golden. Think foods like turkey breast, boneless skinless chicken breast, and egg whites as well as protein powders such as whey, or egg white protein (make sure to purchase protein powder - not meal replacements).

If you are a vegan or vegetarian or you simply choose to avoid dairy, there are plenty of other protein supplements out there like pea protein, hemp protein, or rice protein blends. No matter the source, if you are wondering why a protein supplement may be so helpful, remember that convenience makes incorporating protein super easy.

Learn more about protein sources: Does The Source of Protein In Your Diet Make A Difference?

Experimenting With Protein

If you are up for a challenge, incorporate a protein shake before or between meals and observe how often you overeat. Just by adding in supplemental protein, you can essentially shut down hunger and cravings without working so hard.

In the end, you have to do what works for you. Find the protein source that you like and that you will use, and you’ll be on your way to achieving your body composition or weight loss goals.