Let’s talk protein.
Protein comes in many different forms: Whey Protein, Whey Isolate, Casein Protein, Egg White Protein, Soy Protein (Vegan), Pea Protein (Vegan), Hemp Protein (Vegan). Seems like a lot, right? Generally speaking, depending on your diet, picking the “right” protein for you should be easy. I am Vegan (not a seriously strict Vegan) and I choose to eat whatever is labeled “Vegan” protein.
It is important to note that not all proteins are made equal. For instance, you see so many protein brands being sold in grocery stores—Walmart, Target, etc. They tend to be cheaper than ones that are sold strictly online. There is a reason for that…the old adage, “You get what you pay for,” is not a false statement. For people with sensitive stomachs or digestion issues, those “cheap” brands tend to hurt our stomachs. And I say OUR because I’m one of those people. To be honest, there are only two brands that don’t hurt my stomach: Legion and 1st Phorm. If you check, yes, they are the two most expensive brands, which is why I go back to my statement: you get what you pay for.
Legion discount codes: 1) KNIGHT 2) fitfambysam
1st Phorm athlete support code: YOUNG
Now that I’ve gone through the different kinds of protein available, lets get into what a Protein acutually is. Not to confuse people, but the accurate definition is: any class nitrogenous organic compound that have large molecules composed of one or more long chains of amino acids and are an essential part of a living organism. Muscles, hair, nails, skin, etc are riddled with protein.
In a nutshell, amino acids are the building blocks of muscle. Protein is made up of these “building blocks” per se. Your body uses said amino acids to build and repair muscles and bones. As we get older, our muscles and bones wear away. There is no stopping it; however, we can take precautions to prevent that as much as possible. Having protein in your diet is one way to do that. Some would say the best way. If you don’t track how much Protein you are eating, my suggestion would be to try to add a little protein to each meal you have. If you do track, MyFitnessPal app for both Androids and iPhones is a great way to do so. It’s also free. That’s how I track my food.
General tip for how much protein you should be consuming is: 1 gram per body weight. So for example, I weigh between 120 and 125 pounds depending on the day.Thus, I try to make sure I get 120 grams of protein in a day. Is it okay to get less? Yes, of course. Just try your best. Life gets in the way of a lot of things; don’t stress too much about the amount of certain macronutrients you get. Those’re my thoughts on the matter at least.
Anywho. Have you seen those bodybuilders who look like Greek gods and goddesses? They consume A LOT of protein. Protein for people—and specifically bodybuilders—is used for body reconfirmation. It can change the way you look basically. That’s why protein is a staple for bodybuilders and people who have a certain body type that they want (A.k.a.: A body type that is unachievable from merely tracking carbs and fat).
But Protein isn’t just for those wanting to lose weight, bodybuilders, those who lift. It is also for runners. And your first thought may be, “Carter, why do runners need protein? They don’t care how much muscle shows.” That is 100% true. We don’t. But the thing is, if I want to still be running in ten years, I need to lift weights and consume a good amount of protein to keep my muscles in top shaped that are used for running. Remember, they are (sadly) depleting with age.
That’s not the only reason though. Runners run…A LOT. Protein is so important for recovery. After we have just destroyed our legs on a 13.1 mile run, we need to amino acids within protein to repair and rebuild the muscles we have just abused 🤪. Especially, if like me, you plan on running multiple races within a 4 month time span lol.
But a side tidbit, protein also helps our bodies create antibodies to ward off illnesses and infections as well as helps our bloodstream carry oxygen throughout our body. Aka, it is blood sugar balance. Protein has SO MANY health benefits! I honestly don’t know why more people don’t prioritize it. That being said, carbs are what are used for energy and like my friend Emily, if your sport requires a lot of energy expenditure in a short amount of bursts, prioritize carbs. She still drinks a lot of protein to recover 😆. She competes in world for Jiu-Jitsu!
That’s just my very brief tidbit on protein and why it is important for all types of athletes, especially if you want to compete long term. It’s also just as important for the everyday person who wants to be able to play with their kids (mine are fur babies 😁) or their nieces and nephews later on in life.
As usual, have a blessed day all my dudes and talk to you next Monday! 🤟
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