We’ve seen the word thrown about on food labels and menus, and probably know that it’s something we should be trying to consume every day. Yet most of us have no clue why protein is so key to our diets, and that’s why many people don’t seem to be getting enough of it – the typical recommended amount is 0.8g of protein per kg of your bodyweight per day. That means if you’re 11 stone, you should be consuming around 56g of protein a day. SlimFast is here to help you become a pro at protein so you can always make sure you’re giving your body the attention it deserves.


What is protein?
 
Think of protein as a long necklace with many beads. Each bead is what is known as an amino acid – 22 amino acids are extremely important to human health, however our bodies only produce 13. That’s where protein comes in – we have to consume the other nine amino acids by eating foods that are rich in protein to keep our bodies happy and healthy.


 
Why is protein important for me?
 
Around 40% of our body is made of protein. Our hair and nails are mostly all protein; we need protein to build and repair our tissues; protein makes chemicals within our bodies that are necessary for daily functioning. On top of all of this, if we’re seeking to shed a few pounds or improve our overall health, protein can become our best friend.
 
Protein can reduce the amount of hunger you feel, and consequently, the amount of food you eat. It does this by lowering levels of our hunger hormone (ghrelin), so we feel less of a need to stuff our faces. In fact, a study even found that increasing protein intake in women made them eat 441 fewer calories each day without deliberately limiting themselves! Adding to this is the fact that a higher protein intake can actually boost our metabolism and therefore increase the amount of calories we burn a day. Here’s a lesson for us all – protein can hold our hands through our weight loss journeys.


 
Aside from helping with weight loss, protein is also key to our health as it can stabilise our blood pressure and sugar levels and strengthen our bones, therefore decreasing the risk of osteoporosis or injuries. Not only will our physical health be improved with protein-rich foods, but our mental health too. Some of the amino acids we consume from protein can balance our hormones, control our mood, improve our concentration and learning, and soothe anxiety by producing our ‘happy hormone’ – serotonin! There’s no denying that a delicious protein-rich steak puts a smile on your face.


 
Where can I get this protein from?
 
For you busy bees, SlimFast has done it all for you. We’ve made getting a meal’s worth of protein as easy as 3-2-1 –  grab one of our meal replacement bars to get your easy fix of 15.4g of protein, whip up an icy thick shake using SlimFast’s powders for 15.2g, or pick up a creamy ready-to-drink shake for 14.1g!


When enjoying your one balanced meal a day on the SlimFast 3.2.1 Plan, you should also think about the protein content you’re getting. Consider incorporating some of these foods into your diet!


A great source of protein is fish – in 200g of haddock you can get around 40g of protein. SlimFast’s delicious recipe of Cheesy Fish Gratin and Baked Potatoes will give you 53g of protein for only 601 calories!



Another protein-rich meat is poultry. Remove the skin to get rid of saturated fat and give our Turmeric Chicken and Red Pepper Rice meal a go for 41g of protein at only 596 calories. If you like the sound of these dishes, head over to the recipe section of our website for some more wonderful meal ideas and inspiration click here!