Monday, January 25, 2010

Guest Post: The Great Protein Debate

Happy Monday!
Starting your day out right is important. It is a fact that we should be eating a solid breakfast in order to optimize our day. Along with breakfast, blog reading is another essential element to a stellar day, well at least mine. Yes, I love to read the news and catch up on current issues, but peaking into a bloggers day of meals, exercises, and thoughts, just makes me happy. 
So, thank you to all of you who blog. It takes time, dedication, a camera, and creativity, and we look forward to reading it. So, thanks!

Since today is Monday (again) and I would like you to start off your day, and week, right. Today includes a special guest post by a talented woman; Someone who has helped to put Almond Butter on the map! Well, at least she's made almond butter a household name for those dedicated readers of her blog. She eats like a champ, posts great reads, and creates amazing pancake recipes to boot! Without further introduction, Heather from Heather Eats Almond Butter.



First off, many thanks to Lori for allowing me to guest post on Run.Lori.Run. Lori, I'm honored. :)
OK, so let's talk protein...
...1 gram per pound of bodyweight...2 grams per kilogram...no no no, that's way too high, just use this calculator to determine your daily protein requirements...Anyone else out there confused about how much protein our bodies require? I am!
Anything health or fitness related always interests me, and the amount of protein we truly need seems to be a pretty hot topic. After all, the body is made up of over 50% protein, and we have to get the essential amino acids our bodies require from the food we eat. But again, how much do we need to eat?
See, the thing is, I want to look lean and muscular. To me, there is nothing more beautiful on a woman than a sculpted  arm. In fact, I've been known to approach complete strangers to ask how did you get such amazing biceps? Well, I have come to learn that even though a large part is diet, it takes some work to gain those muscles. Protein alone does not = bigger muscles. However, in attempt to gain lean muscle mass, I keep making the mistake of eating lean lean lean protein even though my body says no no no. Upping my protein intake has never given me bigger muscles, just a bigger stomach.
 Every time I try eating a diet higher in protein, I give up meals like this...


2 whole eggs with sweet potato fries and almond butter.

for meals like this...



Green Protein Shake
So not fun, and the thing is every time I try eating higher protein, I gain weight...and trust me, it's not on my biceps. I know what works for me, and I don't know why I keep straying from a diet high in fat, with moderate carbs and protein, as it's the way of eating that helped me lose weight as well as maintain my current weight. So, for me, no more counting grams of protein. Since I eat meat, I know I'm getting plenty, and if it's stronger biceps I want, then I'll hit the yoga mat for some chaturangas. In the past, they've done more for my arms than any amount of egg white omelets ever did.
My point to this whole post is to remind all of you that what works for some is not going to work for others. I know that many people thrive on a high protein diet. I don't...my body simply converts the excess protein into glucose, and it goes straight to my belly. For me, the focus needs to be on higher amounts of fat, not protein. Trust me, I've learned the hard way. Listen to YOUR body my friends, and it will tell you what it needs.
What about you? Are you a protein junkie, a lover of all fats, or a carb addict? What works best for YOU?


Thanks Heather!!

Have a great day everyone! Hope that filled you up!

15 running thoughts:

m i c h e l l e said...

For me, definitely a minimum of a gram o frotein per pound of body weight works best for me! But, I lift weights and I know that has to do with the equation. Also, higher protein, lower carb meals keep me satiated longer. I eat my complex carbs only at breakfast and immediately before and/or after a workout involving strength training.

Pure2Raw twins said...

Oh yes protein or no protein. Great post, we love Heather!
We have found we do better with little protein, just protein found naturally in food (leafy greens, hemp seed, etc).

fartygirl said...

It's great to finally find out what happened with the whole protein binge! I was so curious. I think I'm opposite from you, HEABS. My body LOVES the protein, but not too much fat. I can't do avocado puddings for breakfast. But almond butter is a perfect source of the pros - because it's low in saturated fat. Thanks for that!

Anonymous said...

Thanks Heather! I'm still trying to figure that all out: what works best for MY body? What do I eat that keeps me full the longest? Should I eat smaller meals, or does that make me just snack a ton more? Always learning! Lori, I look forward to reading your blog!

Adrien said...

Great post! It's funny because everyone needs to find a balance that works for their own bodies. It's hard because the media sometimes tells you something then what is working for you and you start to question what is happening. I think the main thing is, that you know your body best, not some magazine or protein powder, so try a shifting things a bit and find your own healthy balance, regardless of what the media says.

janetha b said...

great post, HEABs! it is so true, what works for one could be total sabotage for another. it is very important to remember that when reading blogs! thanks for sharing your protein thoughts :)

Anonymous said...

body only needs 10% of your total calories in protien...to rebuild what it uses....Read The China Study, you will all think differently about protein..well some of you. :) WE do not need to kill ourselves with protein to be healthy....quite the opposite...according to all the studies in the book. Keep it in mind. :)

tam said...

I'm just a food junkie, carbs, protein and fats I love it all! The one thing that works for me is cutting out sugar, it just sticks to me like glue! Love this post x x

Anonymous said...

OMG thanks for this post! I think lots of fats and proteins work for me, with plenty of fruits, veggies, and some grains thrown in. It's great that you know what works for you!

Lori said...

All of these comments are wonderful! And yes, it's so different for each and every person! That's when balance and listening to your body comes into play! Thanks again Heather! Definitely a great post!
(and personally, I just love food...)

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

"my body simply converts the excess protein into glucose, and it goes straight to my belly"---

Heather, I think I have mentioned this before to you, or to someone...I used to have some female friends who wanted the lean, sculpted look and they too would embark on high(ish) protein diets only to beef up..everywhere! The opposite of what they intended to do. So true that we all need to find our own path!

Mine...quite a low protein requirement (I think) and a high carb/quick & easy accessible sugars that my can metabolize and pull from work best for me.

Great post and Lori, sorry I havent popped over since our talk last week about you possibly coming to my retreat this summer! yay and fingers crossed I get to meet you! :)

Lori said...

Avery, I am definitely hoping to be at the retreat!! :)

And yes, it's all such a science,finding what works for you own body! For myself, too much fat= too much fat in my middle. My body likes the complex carbs and lots of veggies, with protein but not so much of the animal products...

april said...

I'm a total protein addict.. carbs make me feel icky!! but I agree everyone is different.. I know some can't handle as much protein as I can!

Caleb said...

I never would have thought of having sweat potato fries with eggs. I LOVE this idea.

Lori said...

Caleb- I know! Doesn't her breakfast look great?!?!

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