Why It's So Important to Get in Your Daily Recommended Dose of Protein
Let's face it, getting in the recommended amount of protein required per day can be tough, that is unless you're really on top of your nutrition. According to The Institute of Medicine the average woman between the ages of 19 and 70, should consume about 46 grams of protein per day. The average man between the same ages should consume 55-100 grams of protein per day. Of course, you also need to keep your weight and lifestyle in mind when it comes to this number. Factors to take into consideration include the following:
- Age
- Activity level
- Muscle mass
- Fitness goals
- Overall health
So, what's so great about protein intake you might ask? Every cell in the human body is made up of protein. You need it to repair cells and make new ones. Protein is an important building block for your bones, muscles, and cartilage. It can also give you energy and is a vital part of maintaining a healthy diet.
Best Sources of Protein
What are the best sources of protein then? At Primal Balance Nutrition, we encourage healthy animal-based proteins and clean plant-based proteins. Although we do encourage animal-based proteins as they also contain vitamin B12 and other amino acids that plant-based proteins do not. However, at the end of the day, you got to do what's best for you! Here are some suggestions (which also happen to be in the meals we provide here as well!):
- 4-ounce broiled sirloin steak
- 4 ounces of pork
- 4 ounces of grilled sockeye salmon
- 4 ounces of organic grilled chicken
- Cup of cooked lentils
- Protein powder
What's the Deal with Protein Powder?
Powdered protein can come from a variety of sources including beef collagen, peas, pumpkin seeds, soy, and hemp. We love protein powder as it helps people get in their recommended amount of protein in an easy and accessible way (hello protein shakes). It's important to note that under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, no dietary supplements, including protein powders, are regulated by the FDA. What this means is you should be careful of the protein powders you decided to purchase and buy. We highly recommend Organifi's plant-based protein powder as well as Designs for Health's PurePaleo bone broth protein powder.
An Easy Recipe to Help with Protein Intake: Protein Balls
Here's an easy recipe to refer to when you're craving a snack and would like to get some more protein in for the day:
Ingredients:
- Package of gluten-free oats
- Allergen-friendly chocolate chips
- Sunflower seed butter
- Coconut flakes
- Coconut butter
- Protein powder of choice
- Sweetener (if you'd like one, such as honey, syrup, or agave)
Instructions:
- Mix all the ingredients together in a big mixing bowl.
- Chill for 1-2 hours.
- Roll the mix into balls (you choose the size you'd like)
- Enjoy or freeze for up to 1 month and enjoy later.
If you'd rather keep the protein ball making to us, Primal Balance Nutrition is now proud to offer organic, gluten-free protein balls delivered right to you. You can easily add these to your current meal plan order today on our get started page.