Would you believe you can cut up to 500 daily calories or more, reduce appetite and unnecessary “snacking” and more, all by simply increasing your daily protein consumption?
While plenty of “gym rats” and other sports enthusiasts pursue protein – often monstrous daily amounts – for the sake of positive, rapid, and superior muscular growth, it can in general, and in lower dosages, be comparably beneficial for your health.
Whether you’re getting your daily protein from peanut butter, eggs, or fish like heart-healthy salmon or tuna, 10-30 grams of protein becomes a cinch.
To top it off, many protein-rich foods also contain desirable fatty omega-3 acids, and various other nutrients and minerals. Whether adding vegetables or whole wheat bread (from white bread), adding fiber to your diet is a great way to maintain, improve your health, and keep your gastrointestinal track in tip-top shape and functioning at optimal levels.
The reality that most protein-rich foods suppress appetite is by no means a coincidence, nor should it be seen as a technique to terminate hunger or avoid meals. Rather, it should be considered a route to perhaps snack less, lose mild pounds over a controlled period of time, or even to improve one’s dietary habits and lean towards healthier consumption of daily doses of fruits, veggies, or meats.
When it comes to protein, eggs in particular for example, calories and carbohydrates can easily fall below the 5g or less marker, nearly ‘fatless’, and cholesterol or unnecessary levels of sodium can be avoided by doing away with the egg yolk.
It’s worth considering the value of low-fat or fat-free dietary selections when it comes to yogurts, peanut butter, and fish – including the method for which these foods are made. For example, boiled vs. fried, and the unnecessary or unwanted amount of calories and fats which are otherwise unhealthy for your body.
Many dietary enthusiasts, and those just simply looking to improve their help might find meal prepping especially productive and helpful. Prepping meals and making sandwiches or other boiled foods, chopped vegetables, and fruits can make all the difference between both a healthier diet, but also healthier “snacking” if a must.
Don’t forget your chicken, and never be afraid to mix various protein-rich meats or foods together to optimize your experience and nutritional intake and daily protein consumption!
Consider swapping out those potato chips for fresh or baked mango or apple chips. Making fruit – and even homemade vegetable chips isn’t as hard as you think – and plenty of online tutorials and videos are available to help bring your project to life!
When creating and working to strictly adhere to a protein rich diet, try to keep sodium (salt) and glucose (sugar) content levels in mind at all times. Unnecessary or unwanted levels of salt and sugar can actually negatively impact your health. In particular, your heart takes the hardest hit and this is not a desirable effect for anyone – especially those heavily involved in exercise, lifting, or sports. That is, with unbalanced sodium and glucose levels your heart – and in turn cardiovascular and blood systems can be negatively impact. Always stay mindful of your health and what you put into your body!
Image credit: Robyn Mackenzie