Protein Is Important!
Dr. Nancy Qusba M.D. is a top Emergency Physician in Downers Grove, IL. With a passion for the field and an unwavering commitment to their specialty, Dr. Nancy Qusba M.D. is an expert in changing the lives of their patients for the better. Through their designated cause and expertise in the field, Dr. Nancy Qusba M.D. is... more
Protein is important.
Protein is a major energy source and it is responsible for everything—from building tissues, boosting immunity, and making your hair and nails strong, to being responsible for the growth of your muscles, bones, and internal organs. Protein is also found in almost all body fluids, as well as in the production of hormone and enzymes.
Protein is made up of hundreds or thousands of smaller units called amino acids. Amino acids, however, cannot be made by the body and must be obtained from food. Of the twenty types of amino acids, nine of them are considered "essential".
The easiest way to get these amino acids in your diet is by including a serving of protein in your diet every day, like:
- Cheese
- Soybeans
- Meat and fish
- Dairy products and eggs
- Cashews
- Almonds
- Oats
- Lentils and beans
- Brown rice
- Legumes
- Chia seeds
- Pork
- Chicken
- Pumpkin
- Nuts
- Peas
- Tuna
- Seafood
- Whey protein
- Plant proteins
Choose a variety of nutrient-dense protein while avoiding fat. Try to have more egg whites (cholesterol free), fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1%) dairy products, lean meats and poultry, seafood, and soy products.
When cooking meat, trim or drain the fat from meats before or after cooking. Also, remove the poultry skin before cooking or eating.
Protein foods are also important sources of vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins (for example, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. Also, copper, iron, phosphorus, selenium, vitamin D, vitamin E, and zinc should be included in your diet).
