What is protein?
Protein is so important. It is the building blocks of life.
Protein is the nutrient that supports your body in building healthy tissues and cells. Not only this, but it is responsible for our hormones, mood, blood sugar balance and our enzymatic processes.
Proteins are found within every cell of the body and are involved in a wide range of metabolic interactions. Proteins are used every day to keep the body going.
It is used to develop, grow and maintain just about every part of our bodies - from our skin and hair, to our digestive enzymes and immune system.
Vital organs, muscles, tissues and even some hormones of the body are made from proteins. Additionally, proteins create haemoglobin, the protein in our blood that carries iron and oxygen.
Proteins are involved in just about every bodily function, including controlling blood sugar levels, keeping our neurotransmitters balanced (our moods), healing wounds and fighting off bacteria.
Because we use so much protein every single day, we need a lot of it. Once it has been used, it needs to be broken down and must be replaced.
All cells and tissues contain protein, therefore protein is essential for growth and repair and the maintenance of good health. Protein provides the body with approximately 10 to 15% of its dietary energy and it is the second most abundant compound in the body, following water.
A large proportion of this will be muscle (43% on average) with significant proportions being present in skin (15%) and blood (16%).
Dietary protein is broken down into its ‘building blocks’- amino acids, which the body uses as it needs.
Protein and your mood
Nutrition can play an important role in achieving better mental health.
Studies have shown that adults with depression who ate a diet rich in fish and legumes experienced a reduction of their symptoms.
Foods rich in protein contain amino acids to help produce key neurotransmitters in preventing and treating depression and anxiety. Protein packed meals and snacks help you avoid sugary, processed foods, which can trigger anxiety and depression. A diet rich in protein also helps improve energy levels, giving you the strength to get moving and feel better.
Amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein, play an important role in the production of neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters are the chemicals which allow brain cells to communicate with each other. For example, if you eat a piece of chicken, your body breaks down the protein and synthesises the amino acid L-Tyrosine, to produce dopamine - the happy and relaxed hormone that is associated with pleasure and reward.
Low dopamine levels are associated with a whole host of disorders, including depression, addiction. ADHD, Alzheimers and schizophrenia. The amino acid L-Tryptophan, which can be found in poultry, fish, dairy and nuts, serves as a precursor to serotonin.
You have probably heard serotonin referred to as the happy hormone. Serotonin is a compound in the brain that promotes feelings of relaxation, happiness, security and confidence.
A serotonin deficiency can result in depression, sleep disturbances, anxiety and a tendency to overeat, especially carbohydrates and sugar.
Feeling stressed can deplete your brain of serotonin, and levels decline as we age. Eggs, salmon, turkey, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds are all good sources of tryptophan. Eating foods rich in L-Tryptophan can help improve mood and help SSRIs and other antidepressants work better.
An important amino acid for the brain is Tyrosine.
Tyrosine is required for the manufacture of the brain chemicals dopamine and noradrenaline (norepinephrine). These neurotransmitters are required for concentration, alertness, memory and a happy, stable mood. They may also help you to handle stress more easily and feel less overwhelmed by problems.
Tyrosine is also required for the manufacture of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones help to control your metabolic rate, but they also play a critical role in mood. Hypothyroidism (under active thyroid gland) is a common cause of depression. What you may not know is that even a slightly under functioning thyroid gland can flatten your mood, reduce your motivation and your ability to concentrate. Tyrosine is found in fish, turkey, chicken, avocados, almonds and a few other foods.
Protein and blood sugar control
Eating protein regularly is very important for good blood sugar control.
If you eat some protein for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it should help to reduce your risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). Low blood sugar can cause mood swings and it predisposes you to anxiety or depression.
Eating sugar and starchy, carbohydrate rich foods can promote large swings in your blood sugar level.
Essential amino acids
There are about 20 different amino acids commonly found in plant and animal proteins. For adults, 8 of these, have to be provided in the diet and are therefore defined as ‘essential’ or ‘indispensable’ amino acids. These are:
How much protein should we eat?
The Dietary Reference Values for protein are based on estimates of need. For adults, an average requirement of 0.6g of protein per kilogram of body weight per day is estimated. Most people need the minimum of around 45 - 50g of protein per day, but calculate your own needs by body weight.
There is an extra requirement for growth in infants and children and for pregnant and breast feeding women. Any excess protein can be used to provide energy.
Good sources of protein
Here is the protein content of some common foods found in the diet
Protein content (g) per 100g
Meat
Chicken breast (grilled without skin) - 32
Beef steak (lean grilled) - 31.0
Lamb chop (lean grilled) - 29.2
Pork chop (lean grilled) - 31.6
Fish
Tuna (canned in brine) - 23.5
Mackerel (grilled) - 20.8
Salmon (grilled) - 24.2
Cod (grilled) - 20.8
Seafood -
Prawns - 22.6
Mussels - 16.7
Crabsticks - 10
Eggs
Chicken eggs 12.5 - two eggs is around 10g of protein
Dairy
Whole milk - 3.3
Semi-skimmed milk - 3.4
Skimmed milk - 3.4
Cheddar cheese - 25.4
Half-fat cheddar - 32.7
Cottage cheese - 12.6
Whole milk yogurt - 5.7
Low fat yogurt (plain) - 4.8
Plant protein
Pulses
Red lentils 7.6
Chickpeas 8.4
Beans
Kidney beans n- 6.9
Baked beans - 5.2
Tofu (soya bean steamed) - 8.1
Grains
Rice (easy cook boiled) - 2.6
Oatmeal - 11.2
Pasta (fresh cooked) 6.6
Nuts
Almonds - 21.1
Walnuts - 14.7
Hazelnuts - 14.1
Adults and children should consume two to three servings of protein every day. If plant sources dominate, it is important to make sure that different types are consumed.
One typical portion size equates to:
• 100g of lean boneless meat (red and poultry)
• 140g of fish
• 2 medium eggs
• 3 tablespoons of seeds or nuts.
1/2 a cup of lentils = 9g of protein
1/2 a cup of chickpeas = 15g of protein
1/2 a cup of black beans = 15g of protein
1/2 a cup of tofu = 10g of protein
1/2 a cup of quinoa = 4g of protein.
When buying protein, make sure it’s from organic, natural sources. Non-organic protein derived from animals are loaded with hormones, antibiotics, steroids and other chemicals that may cause you more health complications.
You can go to the website nutritiondata.com and look up the amount of protein in the amount of food you’ve consumed.
Protein ideas
If you go to DrAxe.com and search for protein in the search box, you will find a plethora of recipes and protein snack ideas that you can explore. Dr Axe is also a great resource for learning more about natural health.
Top Tips
Ensuring you are eating an adequate amount of protein is one thing that you can do that will have a huge impact on your health, mood and blood sugar balance. Here`s a few tips:
Protein is so important. It is the building blocks of life.
Protein is the nutrient that supports your body in building healthy tissues and cells. Not only this, but it is responsible for our hormones, mood, blood sugar balance and our enzymatic processes.
Proteins are found within every cell of the body and are involved in a wide range of metabolic interactions. Proteins are used every day to keep the body going.
It is used to develop, grow and maintain just about every part of our bodies - from our skin and hair, to our digestive enzymes and immune system.
Vital organs, muscles, tissues and even some hormones of the body are made from proteins. Additionally, proteins create haemoglobin, the protein in our blood that carries iron and oxygen.
Proteins are involved in just about every bodily function, including controlling blood sugar levels, keeping our neurotransmitters balanced (our moods), healing wounds and fighting off bacteria.
Because we use so much protein every single day, we need a lot of it. Once it has been used, it needs to be broken down and must be replaced.
All cells and tissues contain protein, therefore protein is essential for growth and repair and the maintenance of good health. Protein provides the body with approximately 10 to 15% of its dietary energy and it is the second most abundant compound in the body, following water.
A large proportion of this will be muscle (43% on average) with significant proportions being present in skin (15%) and blood (16%).
Dietary protein is broken down into its ‘building blocks’- amino acids, which the body uses as it needs.
Protein and your mood
Nutrition can play an important role in achieving better mental health.
Studies have shown that adults with depression who ate a diet rich in fish and legumes experienced a reduction of their symptoms.
Foods rich in protein contain amino acids to help produce key neurotransmitters in preventing and treating depression and anxiety. Protein packed meals and snacks help you avoid sugary, processed foods, which can trigger anxiety and depression. A diet rich in protein also helps improve energy levels, giving you the strength to get moving and feel better.
Amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein, play an important role in the production of neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters are the chemicals which allow brain cells to communicate with each other. For example, if you eat a piece of chicken, your body breaks down the protein and synthesises the amino acid L-Tyrosine, to produce dopamine - the happy and relaxed hormone that is associated with pleasure and reward.
Low dopamine levels are associated with a whole host of disorders, including depression, addiction. ADHD, Alzheimers and schizophrenia. The amino acid L-Tryptophan, which can be found in poultry, fish, dairy and nuts, serves as a precursor to serotonin.
You have probably heard serotonin referred to as the happy hormone. Serotonin is a compound in the brain that promotes feelings of relaxation, happiness, security and confidence.
A serotonin deficiency can result in depression, sleep disturbances, anxiety and a tendency to overeat, especially carbohydrates and sugar.
Feeling stressed can deplete your brain of serotonin, and levels decline as we age. Eggs, salmon, turkey, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds are all good sources of tryptophan. Eating foods rich in L-Tryptophan can help improve mood and help SSRIs and other antidepressants work better.
An important amino acid for the brain is Tyrosine.
Tyrosine is required for the manufacture of the brain chemicals dopamine and noradrenaline (norepinephrine). These neurotransmitters are required for concentration, alertness, memory and a happy, stable mood. They may also help you to handle stress more easily and feel less overwhelmed by problems.
Tyrosine is also required for the manufacture of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones help to control your metabolic rate, but they also play a critical role in mood. Hypothyroidism (under active thyroid gland) is a common cause of depression. What you may not know is that even a slightly under functioning thyroid gland can flatten your mood, reduce your motivation and your ability to concentrate. Tyrosine is found in fish, turkey, chicken, avocados, almonds and a few other foods.
Protein and blood sugar control
Eating protein regularly is very important for good blood sugar control.
If you eat some protein for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it should help to reduce your risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). Low blood sugar can cause mood swings and it predisposes you to anxiety or depression.
Eating sugar and starchy, carbohydrate rich foods can promote large swings in your blood sugar level.
Essential amino acids
There are about 20 different amino acids commonly found in plant and animal proteins. For adults, 8 of these, have to be provided in the diet and are therefore defined as ‘essential’ or ‘indispensable’ amino acids. These are:
- Leucine
- Isoleucine
- Valine
- Threonine
- Methionine
- Phenylalanine
- Tryptophan
- Lysine.
How much protein should we eat?
The Dietary Reference Values for protein are based on estimates of need. For adults, an average requirement of 0.6g of protein per kilogram of body weight per day is estimated. Most people need the minimum of around 45 - 50g of protein per day, but calculate your own needs by body weight.
There is an extra requirement for growth in infants and children and for pregnant and breast feeding women. Any excess protein can be used to provide energy.
Good sources of protein
Here is the protein content of some common foods found in the diet
Protein content (g) per 100g
Meat
Chicken breast (grilled without skin) - 32
Beef steak (lean grilled) - 31.0
Lamb chop (lean grilled) - 29.2
Pork chop (lean grilled) - 31.6
Fish
Tuna (canned in brine) - 23.5
Mackerel (grilled) - 20.8
Salmon (grilled) - 24.2
Cod (grilled) - 20.8
Seafood -
Prawns - 22.6
Mussels - 16.7
Crabsticks - 10
Eggs
Chicken eggs 12.5 - two eggs is around 10g of protein
Dairy
Whole milk - 3.3
Semi-skimmed milk - 3.4
Skimmed milk - 3.4
Cheddar cheese - 25.4
Half-fat cheddar - 32.7
Cottage cheese - 12.6
Whole milk yogurt - 5.7
Low fat yogurt (plain) - 4.8
Plant protein
Pulses
Red lentils 7.6
Chickpeas 8.4
Beans
Kidney beans n- 6.9
Baked beans - 5.2
Tofu (soya bean steamed) - 8.1
Grains
Rice (easy cook boiled) - 2.6
Oatmeal - 11.2
Pasta (fresh cooked) 6.6
Nuts
Almonds - 21.1
Walnuts - 14.7
Hazelnuts - 14.1
Adults and children should consume two to three servings of protein every day. If plant sources dominate, it is important to make sure that different types are consumed.
One typical portion size equates to:
• 100g of lean boneless meat (red and poultry)
• 140g of fish
• 2 medium eggs
• 3 tablespoons of seeds or nuts.
1/2 a cup of lentils = 9g of protein
1/2 a cup of chickpeas = 15g of protein
1/2 a cup of black beans = 15g of protein
1/2 a cup of tofu = 10g of protein
1/2 a cup of quinoa = 4g of protein.
When buying protein, make sure it’s from organic, natural sources. Non-organic protein derived from animals are loaded with hormones, antibiotics, steroids and other chemicals that may cause you more health complications.
You can go to the website nutritiondata.com and look up the amount of protein in the amount of food you’ve consumed.
Protein ideas
If you go to DrAxe.com and search for protein in the search box, you will find a plethora of recipes and protein snack ideas that you can explore. Dr Axe is also a great resource for learning more about natural health.
Top Tips
Ensuring you are eating an adequate amount of protein is one thing that you can do that will have a huge impact on your health, mood and blood sugar balance. Here`s a few tips:
- You should always have a protein breakfast. Your body has been busy all night long whilst you have been asleep using its protein stores to grow new cells and repair itself. Eating protein at breakfast not only replaces this but will set the tone for your blood sugar balance for the rest of the day. It will also help you have a more positive outlook from the off, due to the ability to make mood-balancing neurotransmitters.
- Ensure that every meal you eat has a source of protein. If you are vegetarian or vegan, try to combine different types of proteins to get all the essential amino acids that you need.
- Every snack that you eat should contain some protein, so if you are fancying a banana - have a handful of nuts alongside it. This will ensure that the conversion to glucose doesn`t happen too quickly and you are left in a high insulin situation.
- Have a look at clean, organic pea-protein shakes like the nuzest range. You can add them to drinks, smoothies, protein balls or breakfasts.