Wait… did I see a commercial for a Hot Pocket that advertised it as being a good source of protein!?!
Not to say it isn’t. But have you all noticed that “protein” is the new buzz-word for food products? Product makers are posting “Protein” across food packages in huge letters in hopes that you will fall victim to their latest marketing schemes.
Don’t be deceived! Though protein is a required nutrient, a food is not healthy just because of the amount of protein it has. Meaning, you can’t stuff extra protein into a candy bar, call it a protein bar, and then pretend like it’s healthy. But that’s exactly what’s happening! Some of the products listed above are high in either calories, sodium, fat, or sugar. As the health and fitness trend increases, companies are starting to focus on this one particular nutrient as a marketing ploy. You should always look at the big picture when making a food choice.
We need protein. We normally think about protein as it relates to muscles, but protein is part of EVERY cell in our body, making it an extremely important nutrient. Most people get enough protein for general health as a part of their normal food intake. But, for various fitness goals, sometimes it is beneficial to increase your protein consumption. This amount can vary significantly, depending on the goal and your body type (for a more specific recommendation, please contact a registered dietitian). The general recommendation is between 10-35% of your total calories. If you are aiming to lose weight or build muscle, your intake would be on the higher end of this range to help maintain muscle as you lose fat or to help build more muscle mass.
Make sure to get your required protein intake from healthy sources. Some common, healthy protein sources are lean meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, low-fat dairy, beans/peas, nuts, and seeds. Keep in mind most fruits and vegetables have a minimal amount of protein, so a larger consumption would need to be eaten to equal the same amount of protein as the other protein sources.
Don’t fall victim to the food industry’s latest craze! Don’t purchase a food just because it has “protein” plastered across the package. Eat a healthy source of protein with each meal and snack, and avoid these overly processed foods that do more harm than good.
Written by:
Joy Diggs, MS, CPT, RD, LD, WLS
Owner of Digg Deep Fitness
Certified Personal Trainer
Registered and Licensed Dietitian
Certified Weight Loss Specialist
www.diggdeepfit.com
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