11. The Power of Protein
Once you’ve determined the right amount of carbohydrates for
your body, and balanced your fats, proper protein intake is relatively
easy to determine. For example, if you find that 40 percent of your
macronutrients are carbohydrates, and 30 percent fat, the remaining
30 percent as protein would probably be the optimal amount for you.
As convenient and oversimplified as that may sound, that’s how it
turns out for most people. Find the first two pieces of the puzzle and
the third falls neatly into place.
However, there’s no need to determine percentages — or grams,
calories or any other quantity. Instead, make the appropriate changes
as outlined in these chapters, beginning with carbohydrates, and let
it all fall into place; your intuition will become a powerful ally.
Coralee Thompson, M.D., simplifies protein needs even more. “At
each meal eat the amount of dense protein food such as meat, fish or
eggs that fits in the palm of your hand.”
We all need protein every day for optimal health and increased
human performance. This is true at all ages, for males and females,
and whether you are walking 30 minutes a day or training for a 1,000-
mile race.
Larger body frames and those performing a lot of physical work
usually need more protein. Growing children also need relatively
higher amounts of protein for development. In fact, throughout life
there is still a significant and continuous need for protein.
Protein is necessary for so many healthy bodily functions, dis-
cussing it all would fill several books. Here are just a few examples:
- Enzymes important for balancing fats, digestion and
hundreds of other metabolic activities necessary for opti-
mal health require protein.