Do I need more protein?

Hello! 

I have noticed over the last 2 years that our society has become obsessed with consuming proteins. Just look at the various diets: Paleo Diet, Dukan Diet, Protein powder diet and so on. These days, almost every diet is about protein.  Even though a lot of us consume a big amount of protein, there are still some of us that are still slipping through the cracks, like vegetarians and people who tend to under-eat. 

The problem is that it can be tricky to identify what's considered 'not enough' since the recommended intake of protein is a broad range. So if you , for example, are eating a 2.000 calorie diet , it could be between 50 grams to 150 grams of protein per day.

Are you unsure about your protein-intake? Just forget about crunching numbers and listen to your body. 

Here is a small list with the TOP5 signs you should be eating more protein:

1. You crave sweets:

One of the first signs is that your protein intake is too low is that you are craving sweets and feel like you are never quite full. 

The protein's most critical function is to keep your blood sugar level steady, meaning that if you are too low on proteins, your glucose level will be all over the place which will encourage you to reach for a quick fix like candies. 

2. Your brain feels dizzy:

If you want to stay focused, your blood sugar needs to be balanced. So if you feel a bit dizzy in your head, this might also be a sign that you don't eat enough proteins. This is because you might don't have a steady stream of carbs to fuel your brain.  Protein at meals helps time-release the carbs for steady energy rather than up and down spikes. If you tend to grab for things such as crackers, you will only experience short bursts of mental energy , followed by a foggy brain.

3. Your hair is falling out or gets thinner:

You should know that proteins are the building blocks of all your cells, including your hair follicles. 

If they are strong, they keep your hair on your head. But if you are skimping on the scalp-stabilizing nutrient, protein, you may notice that your hair is getting thinner or maybe you are losing more hair than usually.

4. You feel weak:

As you may know, protein is essential for building muscles. I think that's not new to you. So if you don't get enough protein throughout the day, your muscles may start to shrink over time, resulting in feeling weak and unable to do the exercise you once excelled at. 

5. You get sick more often: 

Your muscles aren't the only things that are reinforced by protein. It is also needed to build all the compounds in your immune system. 

So if you catch a cold or infection more often, a protein deficiency may be to blame. 

Here another sign: You constantly get hangnails , because our skin is a huge immune organ as it protects us from the environment. Meaning, if your skin isn't strong enough, because you lack protein, you may start to notice cracks and tears, potentially exposing you to germs and leading to infections. 

So if you ever notice one or even some of these signs, you should definitely think about eating more protein!

Since I started my preparation, my protein intake increased a lot. Usually I caught a cold twice a month, I felt weak mentally all the time and I craved for sweets every single day. Now that I eat way more protein that in the past, I feel better, meaning more energized, my hair got stronger , but best of all, I don't crave for sweets anymore. 

That said, enjoy the rest of your week and get whey-sted!