10 Tasty Ways To Increase Your Protein Intake
Protein is one of the three macronutrients that the human body requires in large quantities, along with carbohydrates and fats. High Protein snacks is essential for the growth, repair, and maintenance of your muscles, bones, skin, hair, and nails, and is also necessary for the production of hormones, enzymes, and other important molecules in the body.
What Is Your Daily Need For Protein?
According to The DRI (Dietary Reference Intake), an average person needs 0.36 grams of protein per pound (0.8 grams per kg) of body weight. But the actual daily intake of a person depends on factors including activity level, age, and overall health.
For example, sportspersons require roughly 0.5-1 gram of protein for every pound of body weight each day. They need this much protein to complete strenuous training schedules. But an average person shouldn’t overdo it though as too much protein could cause problems.
Protein Deficiency Symptoms
Mood Swings
The human brain uses neurotransmitters to relay information between cells and these neurotransmitters are made of amino acids that are building blocks of protein. Lack of protein will affect the quality of neurotransmitters leading to slowing down of the brain function and mood swings like depression or being overly aggressive.
Weakness
A low level of protein can reduce your muscle mass, strength, and metabolism leading to weakness and fatigue. Also, it will become for you to maintain your posture, especially if you’re 55 or older. It could also lead to anemia which is a chronic condition.
Hunger
If you feel hungry even after regular meals, you are protein deficient. It is the protein that keeps you full for a long time and its deficiency could lead to hunger pangs. Also, you could overeat due to hunger pangs.
Feeling Sick
Amino acids are necessary proteins as they help build antibodies that strengthen the immune system. You need antibodies to fight bacteria, viruses, and other harmful elements. Lack of protein could lead to the weakening of the immune system leading to a feeling of sickness all the time. Also, protein can affect the level of good bacteria in your gut.
Skin, Hair, And Nail Problems
You need protein to make elastin, collagen, and keratin to keep your skin, hair, and nails healthy. If you are protein deficient, it will be visible on your skin, hair, and nails. Your hair will become thin and brittle due to a lack of keratin. Deep ridges will come up on your fingernails due to a lack of protein. Similarly, your skin will become dry and flaky, if you have protein deficiency.
Swelling
Lack of protein could lead to fluid buildup in your tissues. It will be visible in swelling around your abdomen, legs, feet, and hands. Protein deficiency is considered one of the prime reasons for edema because it is a protein (albumin) that prevents the building up of fluid in … See More