WHY WE NEED PROTEIN

NOTE: This original post in five or six years old. Fad diets are a revolving process and have no doubt changed since this was written. What hasn't changed is the body's need for protein and how protein affects the body so I am reposting.

I am appalled at some of the goofy diets I see people bragging about on facebook!  Early on anyone can lose a lot of weight on any kind of crazy diet.  But always beware of any type of diet.  I got the following quote from a dietitian who went over some weekly food diaries of her clients.  Everyone thought they were eating healthy and on the surface, to the untrained eye, most would agree that they were.  However, most of them were lacking in one major component needed for a healthy diet.  That component was protein.

Here is what Lara Rondinelli, RD, LDN, CDE, had to say about the importance of protein, "Proteins function as building blocks for bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood, as well as for hormones and vitamins. Protein is the structural component of all cells in the body. During digestion, proteins in food are broken down into amino acids, which the body uses in all those ways. Nine of the amino acids must be supplied by our diet (they're not made in the body); these are called essential amino acids. All nine essential amino acids are found together in animal products. Protein is important for people with diabetes for another reason: They don't raise blood glucose levels like carbohydrates do."  She went on to say, "When people don't eat enough protein, it's easy to overeat carbs in an effort to feel satisfied."

The best thing you can do for your body is to eat a well-balanced diet with portion control daily.  Beware that you are getting all the components you need.  If you aren't, you probably won't notice it for awhile but eventually your body will cease to function properly.