Don’t shortchange your wellbeing

I’m a big believer that if you look after the quality, the quantity takes care of itself, especially when it comes to food (and movement).

Quality can involve both the type of something, such a macronutrient like protein, as well as the quality within it, pasture raised eggs for example, where there are more nutrients than comparable ‘versions’. We have productised our most basic commodities for variety but our body still only thrives on foods closest to the way nature intended.

Contrary to messaging many of us get today, a hearty steak as part of your diet is better for you than any processed food could ever provide. Looking to lose something in order to lose weight, we need to consider the unintended consequence of lowering the quality(s) of our diet: as we lower the quality of the food we eat something has to give.

Many millions of people have purged meat from their diet, falling some 30% since 1970 with no health or environmental benefits. A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition concluded that adults need to source 45-60% of their total protein from animals to ensure sufficient levels of other nutrients. If people shun red meat:

• we typically fill up on highly processed convenience food instead, like cereals bread pastries and pizza chronic disease rates continue to sky rocket.

• vitamins nutrients such as iron zinc calcium and vitamin b12 and the overall nutrient adequacy of their diets is impaired.

• eating clean (link) to balance the effects of a high paced life is acting upon good intentions with bad information.

High quality animal protein is the original superfood that plays a pivotal role in health. Protein is more than just a macronutrient:

• it’s responsible for more than just physical structure: roughly 60% of your body’s water, half the remaining 40% is protein. And your bones ligaments tendons liver brain skin fingernails are built from proteins.

• Proteins are the master regulators of all that is happening in your body controlling functions in all tissues and organs including muscles, enzymes (catalysing all the chemical reactions in your body), energy production and cell to cell communication, balancing hormones like insulin and thyroid hormones, as well as vital immune system meditators

• and your brain uses protein rich foods to produce neurotransmitters for brain cell communication, directly linked to neurological development sleep and mood regulation.

Simply, prioritise protein for:

• Balanced blood sugar

• Increased energy

• Mental clarity

• Decreased body fat

• Improved body composition

• Reduced cravings

When we the lower quality of the food we eat, something has to give and that’s your wellbeing. Even if you’re not currently protein deficient it’s likely you’re not yet protein optimised unless you’re already been paying special attention to your protein quality quantity and distribution: 0.8g per kg body weight is as per other nutrition recommendations a minimum so use that and go by how you feel. Cos it’s good to feel good, right?!