What Is Protein?

By MAIREAD O’KEEFFE New Leaf Health Store

Protein is found in every single cell in the body and is essential for good health, immunity, and muscle maintenance. If you are trying to get sufficient protein through your diet then you will need to eat meat, poultry, dairy, fish, nuts, beans, legumes, tofu, and pulses. It is best to spread your protein intake throughout the day, but typical Irish Breakfasts and lunches are often low in protein but high in carbohydrates. Many people find Protein supplements a convenient way to spread out and boost intake.

Generally, most younger adults should be consuming around 0.75g of protein per kilogram of their body weight every day. Older adults should eat an even more proteindense diet than younger adults to avoid sarcopenia, the primary age-related cause of frailty. The FSAI recommends that older adults (over 65) should consume up to 1.2 g of protein per kg body weight each day, with some protein in each meal. This can be a challenge, especially for people with smaller appetites.

Protein forms the building blocks of muscle tissue and promotes muscle growth and repair. People who do a lot of sport also need more protein and many people find protein supplements a useful way to ensure that they are getting an adequate amount throughout the day.

Protein can also help with weight loss as it boosts metabolism, reduces appetite and changes several weight-regulating hormones.

We have many protein powders in stock, some like Optimum Nutrition’s are whey based and we also have some great vegan alternatives such as their new Clear range. There are unflavoured products as well as tasty flavoured options. Many customers use the flavoured powders simply as a healthy protein shake, but others add a scoop of either unflavoured or flavoured protein powder to their breakfast cereal, pop some in their smoothie or use protein powder as an ingredient in their recipes, putting a scoop of protein in their soups, pancakes or sauces.

Win an Optimum Nutrition hamper worth €200 Optimum Nutrition make Gold Standard 100% Whey the world’s best-selling whey protein powder. For a chance to win this great prize join our emailing list, send an email to hello@newleafonline.ie with your contact details before 12th April 2024