Many people think that in order to get a quick boost of energy, they need to have a cup of coffee or something else that is high in caffeine. What a lot of people don’t know is that they can get a shot of energy which will continue working for them throughout the day. What is this miracle energy drug? It’s no drug – it is protein.
Protein is a macronutrient that we need in order to remain strong and healthy. It is essential for muscle growth, recovery, and maintenance. Our hair and nails are made from protein. In fact, if we do not get the amount of protein that we need in our diets, we actually risk developing a condition known as protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). When we hear about children dying of starvation in third world countries, this is usually the condition that they have died from.
It’s no secret that protein gives us energy, and there are many great food sources where you can find all of the protein that you need to get you through the day without needing a caffeine fix. If you are on a high protein, low carbohydrate diet, but find that you don’t have enough energy, there are plenty of ways that you can rectify this just by making a few simple changes in your diet. Don’t worry; you will still get to eat plenty of delicious foods.
Dietary Proteins for Increased Energy
As previously mentioned, there are lots of tasty foods that are loaded with healthy proteins and are still diet friendly. So, you will be getting the protein that you need and still lose weight. One of the best ways to get enough protein is to drink milk and eat more dairy products. Yogurt is extremely high in protein (nearly 13 grams per serving), and so is a glass of milk (make sure it is skimmed so that you don’t get the extra fat). Cheddar and mozzarella cheese are also packed with protein and are recommended for many diet plans.
Here are some other protein-rich foods that will give you plenty of energy without a lot of calories:
Beans: Most types of beans, including string beans, are loaded with protein, and most are diet-friendly. Soy beans are extremely high in protein, and because soy contains all 22 essential and non-essential amino acids, it is considered to be a complete protein.
Nuts: Not just a delicious snack, nuts are protein-packed and loaded with other vitamins and nutrients as well. When it comes to eating nuts, you need to watch the fat and calorie content. For example, cashews, although high in protein, are also extremely high in calories. Try almonds instead, as they are also high in protein but not as fattening. When buying nuts of any kind, make sure that they are unsalted.
Peanut Butter: When talking about nuts and protein, we can’t leave out good old peanut butter. This is a favorite of many children and a terrific way to get them to eat healthy. Spread some peanut butter on one of the newer whole grain breads that looks and tastes like white bread, and your kids will never know that they are eating something healthy that will give them the energy to play.
Eggs: Here is a really versatile, high protein food. There are so many things that you can do with eggs, from using them as a stand-alone meal or snack to using them as ingredients in other recipes. For a delicious, protein-rich meal, scramble two egg whites with one egg yolk and a little bit of skimmed milk. When the eggs are cooked, spread on whole grain bread for a filling, scrambled egg sandwich.
Meat, Fish, and Poultry: These are all excellent dietary sources of protein. Red meat should be lean, and for the best diet results, keep your poultry intake to white meat. Fish is a great source of protein, and if you are in a hurry, here is a delicious protein-rich snack that will give you a boost of energy: spread some tuna on top of a whole grain cracker, add a slice of cheese and a few olive slices, and top with another cracker. Two or three of these is a filling, energy-boosting snack.
Get Energy With Protein Supplements
Sometimes you don’t have time to eat a full meal or you just aren’t hungry enough to eat everything that you need to make sure that you get all of the protein your body requires. When you aren’t able to eat a meal, you can still get your protein with protein supplements.
Protein supplements are a great way to get the protein that you need, and provide you with the energy that you need to get you through your busy day. You can incorporate them into a number of your favorite recipes, or if you aren’t looking for a meal, there are plenty of delicious protein-rich drinks that you can purchase or make at home yourself.
Profect by Protica is a good supplement: it has 100 calories, 25 grams of protein, zero fats, and zero carbs. In addition, Profect supplies 100% of the daily value of Vitamin C and 10% of the B complex vitamins.
Powdered Protein – This is an incredibly versatile form of protein supplement. Protein powders are available in a number of flavors from chocolate and vanilla to berry and fruit punch, and there are also unflavored protein powders which are great to add into recipes. With powdered proteins, you can make up delicious energy-boosting slushies, smoothies, and shakes that are packed with protein, portable, and not nearly as filling as a meal. These are ideal meal replacements for dieters and your kids will love them too. Here is a recipe for a sour slushie that you and your kids will want to make every day:
– 1 C Sugar-free lemonade
– 1 C Mixed frozen strawberries and raspberries
– 2 Scoops berry or fruit punch protein powder
– Ice
– Lemon juice
Mix the lemonade, berries, protein powder and ice in a blender. For a super-sour slushie the kids will love, add a couple of squirts of lemon juice.
Liquid Protein – These supplements can be used as meal replacements, either as a stand-alone drink or incorporated into other recipes. Many liquid supplements can also be used in shakes and smoothies, or you can buy pre-made protein shakes that you can take anywhere with you. If you are lactose intolerant, make sure that you read the ingredients before purchasing any liquid protein to make sure that it is not made from milk products.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein drinks for dialysis patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright