When we find ourselves rushed off our feet, it’s easy to forget to focus on our nutrition. With hardly any time to relax, it seems near impossible to track your protein intake or plan out meals in advance.
As a result, those of us with busy lifestyles are more likely to suffer from a protein deficiency, which can lead to concerning health issues.
In this article, we’ll explore the importance of protein and explain how you can meet your protein requirements even on the busiest days.
Why Is Protein So Important?
Protein plays a main role in making sure that our bodies are functioning as they should be. As an essential macronutrient, protein is responsible for cellular life, tissue growth, immune support, and many other processes.
Whether you want to stay in shape or look after your body, protein offers an impressive amount of health benefits. Throughout the fitness world, protein is often linked to muscle gain and strength increase. While this is true, the extent of protein’s health benefits goes far beyond what you may expect.
Alongside muscle growth, protein aids fat loss, boosts metabolism, and maintains body composition.
Evidence suggests that eating enough protein also supports bone health, can lower the risk of high blood pressure and other cardiovascular issues, and aids in quicker recovery from injury or illness.
Generally, your protein intake works as a marker of good health. If you want to keep your body in healthy shape, you need to start paying attention to your intake of dietary protein.
The Dangers of Not Of Eating Enough Protein
So, now that we’ve discussed the benefits, let’s take a look at what happens if your diet lacks the right amount of protein.
Truthfully, most of us have had off days with our protein intake. Whether you forget to track your macros, you don’t feel like preparing a meal, or you’re rushed off your feet, it can be easy to ignore the quality of your diet.
Yet, consuming too little protein on a regular basis can lead to serious health problems. In fact, just one week of not eating enough protein can start to have a negative effect on your body.
Without enough protein in your diet, your whole system starts to suffer. You’ll start to notice that you feel weak, fatigued, and it’ll be more difficult to get through your day. It’ll also get harder to concentrate since a lack of protein has a direct impact on brain function. Without sufficient protein, your body is missing the nutrition it needs to produce enough neurotransmitters, leaving you feeling fatigued and unhappy.
Additionally, a lack of protein can result in a weak immune system, a slower metabolism, weaker bones, and slower healing injuries.
When you weigh up the benefits of protein against the dangers of a protein deficiency, there’s no reason to ignore your daily intake.
How Much Protein Do You Need?
Your recommended amount of daily protein is dependent on your goals and your body. This means that you can’t base your own intake off of somebody else’s diet.
To start, consider whether you’re trying to lose weight, gain muscle, or maintain your physique. Though protein is always beneficial, your needs are determined by your fitness aims and your current body weight.
An easy way to figure out your daily protein requirements is to use the simple guide below:
- If your goal is fat loss: 1.3 – 2.0 grams of protein per kilogram of bodyweight
- If your goal is muscle gain: 1.4 – 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram bodyweight
- If your goal is maintenance: 0.8 – 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram bodyweight
Supplementing Your Protein Intake On Busy Days
Now that you’ve calculated your protein needs, you may be wondering how you’re going to meet those nutrition goals while living a busy lifestyle.
Generally, those of us with busy lifestyles are more likely to neglect our daily nutrition. When your schedule seems never-ending, you don’t usually have time to prepare a nutritious meal. Cooking takes up time and, while meal prepping may be a great solution for some, it doesn’t suit everybody.
Rather than compromising on your own health for the sake of convenience, protein supplements allow you to manage your protein intake with ease.
Pre-flavored protein shake powders are the key to maintaining a healthy diet when you’re always on-the-go.
One example is Naked Shake – a highly recommended protein powder that offers a superior amino acid profile and an impressive amount of protein. To cut out the hassle of flavoring your own shake, this protein powder is pre-flavored with natural and healthy ingredients.
No matter how busy your schedule seems, enjoy all the benefits of eating enough protein without sacrificing taste or convenience.
