Here is a little food for thought....
Without enough protein in your diet, your body fat percentage will almost certainly go up! Why? Because your body needs protein to maintain your muscle tissue (even if you don't want a lot).
Why do you need to maintain your muscle tissue? Because muscle is where your metabolism comes from; it's where you burn calories! In fact 1 lb of muscle can burn anywhere from 15 to 50 calories a day depending on your activity level. How about 1 lb of fat? Well it only burns about 7 calories a day.
So follow me here......not enough protein = unable to maintain muscle......unable to maintain muscle = lower metabolism......lower metabolism = body fat storage!
Without getting to caught up in ALL there is to know about protein, here are some helpful suggestions. And for you vegetarians out there, make sure you read next weeks food for thought!
- Breakfast ideas w/protein - eggs and egg substitutes, cottage cheese, yogurt, a breakfast bar with high protein, even just a glass of milk.
- Snack ideas - try snacking on a few slices of deli meat with cheese and whole grain crackers, eat yogurt or cottage cheese with some fresh fruit, or snack on some string cheese
- Lunch and Dinner - try to get at least 3-5 ounces of some type of lean meat or fish (these are your best bets due to the lower fat content as well). Try chicken, turkey, lean pork, and all types of fish.
If all else fails, try supplementing! Try having a protein shake or bar for any of the other ideas listed.
It's your body, so the choice is yours!
Mike Thornton
