How Much Protein?

How much protein do you think you really need? Not much. The World Health Organization says you need about 5% of your total calories from protein. Eating fruits, vegetables and whole grains will give you 12% – 15% of your total calories from protein. I have to work hard sometimes holding back my giggles as I hear people freak at the thought of eating less dairy, chicken, beef, pork and fish. And yet, I smile beaming ear to ear when in a few weeks they are telling me how little they are eating and how much better they are feeling. And the line I love most – “I don’t even miss it.” When people put self-hypnosis to work, habits and behaviors can change. At Slender For Life™ clients learn hypnosis for weight loss and make healthy positive changes. Visit my Seattle weight loss or Bainbridge Island weight loss offices if you live here in Puget Sound to find out how you can put weight loss hypnosis to work for you. If you live too far away, then call or email me and together we will create a phone and internet program for you.

I found Protein Is Essential To Life – But How Much? in The Huffington Post, May 25, 2010.

Wow, the numbers are startling. Americans consume an astonishing amount of protein. USDA statistics reveal that U.S. men eat as much as 190% of their recommended daily protein allowance, while women eat as much as 160%, the great majority of which comes from saturated-fat heavy meat and meat products.

Dr. Marion Nestle, professor in the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University, says “All proteins are made up of the same amino acids. ALL. No exceptions.. The difference between animal and vegetable proteins is in the content of certain amino acids. If vegetable proteins are mixed, the differences get made up. Even if they aren’t mixed, all you need to do to get the right amount of low amino acids is to eat more of that food. There is no ‘need’ for animal proteins at all.

Here are some great high fiber sources of protein

Broccoli — 4 grams in 1 cup
Brown Rice — 5 grams in 1 cup
Refried beans — 7 grams in ½ cup
Soymilk — 7 grams in 1 cup
Peas — 8 grams in 1 cup
Tofu — 11 grams in 5 oz
Oat Bran — 16 grams in 1 cup
Lentils — 18 grams in 1 cup
Chickpeas — 18 grams in 1 cup

The key factor, though, is what comes along with the protein. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, a 6-ounce broiled porterhouse steak is an excellent source of protein — 38 grams worth. But along for the ride are 44 grams of fat, 16 of them saturated! That’s almost three-fourths of the recommended daily intake for saturated fat. The same amount of salmon gives you 34 grams of protein and 18 grams of fat, 4 of them saturated. A cup of cooked lentils has 18 grams of protein, but under 1 gram of fat!

One thing that drives me crazy is when I ask someone what they had for lunch and they respond with “a salad and protein.” Now I get that most people are thinking fish, chicken or maybe even beef or pork when they say protein – but I just can’t let it go. I’m likely to respond with “did you have oatmeal with that salad?” The marketers have done a great job of hoodwinking the masses into thinking they have to have protein. The reality, for a healthy person, it’s almost impossible not to get more than enough protein.

Even consuming  fruit, you will absorb protein. Consuming too much protein can cause depressions, sleeplessness, vitamin D deficiency, and lack of vitamin B2, B6 and folic acid for these are required to process protein. You only need about 40 to 70 grams of protein per day. Some people exceed 133 grams per day. Too much protein is hard on the kidneys and liver.

Are you living on the fat of animal or dairy products? Or, how about those designer candy bars that people eat thinking they are healthy because they are protein bars?

So if you want to lose weight or simply improve your health, weight loss hypnosis can get you out of  the diet madness. Hypnosis for weight loss can help you make healthy and positive habit and behavior changes.

You may also want to read my original post, How Much Protein? from August 16, 2008.

Seattle weight loss and Bainbridge Island weight loss and discover what you can do with self-hypnosis.

Check out Slender For Life™ and call (206) 903-1232 or email for your free consultation.