How Do I Get Enough Protein Each Day?
Your body does not store
protein. During digestion it is converted to amino acids and sent to amino acid
“pools” in your muscles. These “pools”
are like a sink without a drain plug.
They are in constant need of replenishing as your body uses the amino
acids for a variety of functions.
Determine the amount you
need…a good rule for most people is one gram of protein for each pound of body
weight.
Example for 130 pound person
to get 130 grams per day. Divide the day
into manageable parts, 130/5 = 26
In a simplified way of
looking at it: Eat 26 grams of protein 5 times a day… or, if you prefer, 65 grams in the first half of day and 65 grams
in second half of day.
Breakfast:
2 eggs 16 grams
Post workout:
Scoop and a half of
Wholeistic protein drink - 27 grams
snack:
Quest protein bar - 20 grams
Lunch:
3 oz turkey breast - 25 grams
½ cup of black beans - 12
grams
snack:
2 TBSP almond butter - 7 grams
dinner:
3 oz of salmon - 25 grams
This is 122 grams of
protein…you will make up the rest with fruits, vegetables, put nuts on your
salad, etc.
Most vegetables are
insignificant in amounts of protein (1-2 grams) but if you are getting 5 - 8
servings per day, you will get 8-10 grams of protein from vegetables.
Many fruits and vegetables
have a complete amino acid profile. Even
if it is small amounts - it is a contributor to the body’s need for constant
supply of the 20 amino acids. The body
takes those 20 amino acids and makes infinite combinations to keep it
functioning at optimum mental and physical levels.
Get to know your food…
The following 2 pages are a
list of some the most often consumed proteins.
If there are some not listed and you’d like to look it up. Go to www.nutritiondata.self.com
Enter the food in the food
name bar and push search (don’t worry about food category) You will see the facts page pop up. Make sure you check the serving size bar for
the size you need.
Look at the other
graphs. The amino acid profile is shown
under protein quality. The nutrient
density (your nutrition “bang for the buck”) is shown under nutrient balance.
Learn the values of some of
your favorite protein choices!
Wholeistic Protein Drink 18 grams per scoop
Quest Protein bar 20 grams
Natra Tech bar 11 grams
Animal Protein:
( these values are for 3 oz portions)
Turkey 25 grams
Chicken 23
grams
Veal 20 grams
Salmon 17 grams
Beef 23 grams
Lamb chops 28 grams
Pork Tenderloin 21 grams
Bison 23 grams
Tuna 20 grams
Eggs 8 grams
Legumes:
Beans 1 cup (varies)
15 grams - 20 grams
Edamame 1 cup =
16 grams
Dairy:
Cottage Cheese ½ cup = 13 grams
cheddar cheese 1 slice = 7 grams
Greek yogurt 15 grams
Grains:
Steel Cut oats ¼ cp = 5 grams
Udi’s Flax/chia Bread 1 slice = 3 grams
Ezekial Bread 1 slice = 4 grams
Quinoa (cooked) 1 cup = 8 grams
Nuts and Seeds:
Almonds ¼ cup = 8 grams
Walnuts ¼ cup
= 4.5 grams
Pumpkin seeds ¼ cup = 10 grams
Chia Seeds 2 TBSP = 6 grams (grind and add to smoothies)
Hemp seeds 3 TBSP = 10 grams
(grind and add to smoothies)
Flax seeds 2 TBSP - 3 grams (“)
Other Plant foods:
Avocado 1 whole = 7 grams
Tahini (sesame paste that's
in Hummus) 2 TBSP = 5 grams
Kale (raw chopped) 2 cups = 4 grams
Written By: Cheryl Ladue
(Elite Fitness and Performance Nutrition Coach)