Never one to miss a marketing opportunity or let facts get in the way of profit, protein has become a darling of the food industry. It seems to be showing up in everything from breakfast cereals to candy.
Protein deficiency can be a serious health risk, and it’s a common cause of malnutrition in many parts of the world. Protein is a macronutrient, meaning it is required in large amounts in the diet for proper growth, development, and overall health. But the truth is, it is very rare for people to be protein deficient in the United States. In general, if you’re eating enough calories, you’re probably naturally eating enough protein. More than enough, in fact. On average, Americans consume about twice the recommended amount.
In fact, over-consumption of protein can be detrimental. Overloading your diet with protein can mess up your macronutrient balance. Eating high amounts of protein is usually achieved by eating lots of meat and dairy products, and these are often high in saturated fat, and low in fiber.
The recommended daily intake of protein varies depending on your overall health and how much physical activity you have in your day. The current Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is 46 grams for women and 56 grams of protein for men. But this can vary a lot based on your body weight and level of physical activity. A good rough estimate for your requirements is 0.4g per pound of body weight. So a 200 pound person would need about 80g per day.
No comments:
Post a Comment