Protein is one of the most important components of our diet. For many years, there has been debate about the need for it in human life, but all experienced nutritionists agree that without protein, the body cannot develop normally. This is the building material of our body, due to which bone and muscle mass, cell walls are formed. Proteins are divided into animal and vegetable according to their origin. Most of them are found in fish, meat, milk, eggs, nuts, soy and cereals. Without these products, a person cannot receive the necessary supply of substances in full. Proteins of animal origin, which vegetarians refuse, are especially appreciated. They have the amino acid composition with which products of plant origin are poor.
A special type of protein is soy. It has phytoestrogens similar to estrogen - the female sex hormone. The protein content in soy products varies from 10 to 26 grams per 100 grams of total weight. That is why it is useful only in moderation. Soy can slow down the thyroid gland, also contributes to weight gain, slows down the thought process. Due to its large amount in the body, the skin condition worsens, constipation occurs and the menstrual cycle in girls is disturbed. In worst cases, this can lead to infertility. You should carefully consider the choice of products containing soy.
It is best if you consume vegetable and animal proteins in equal amounts. In this case, the nutrition will be not only balanced, but also healthy. If you want to lose weight, then the consumption of animal proteins must be reduced. The calorie content of plant foods is much lower than in others.
The protein content in the products is related to what amino acids are present in it. Thanks to these amino acids, the body receives energy. There is no certain optimal protein intake for each rate. It all depends on a person’s lifestyle. On average, the daily rate does not exceed 0.8 g per 1 kg of weight, i.e. approximately 56 g for a man and 45 g for a woman. Children need more amino acids (up to 2 g per 1 kg), this is due to the fact that during the day they spend more energy than adults, and the body is not yet fully grown and bone, muscle mass is developing.
If you are a fan of vegetarian culture, despite the advice of professors and nutritionists, then your diet should be especially rich in plant foods. The lack of animal protein is not well tolerated by everyone, so make the most healthy diet, which will include cereals, and nuts, and legumes, and dairy products, relatively replacing meat and fish.
The protein content in food is difficult to calculate "by eye", so there are special tables that indicate the necessary data. In ordinary life, this table will be needed by those who carefully analyze their nutrition or are on a strict diet. If you just want your diet to be healthy and complete, then you can independently calculate the required amount of protein per day. It is not worth mentioning that for athletes the norm is much higher than for an ordinary person, also if you lead a sedentary lifestyle, then the percentage of protein, as well as the total number of calories per day, is also calculated below the average.
In vegetables, there is no complete complex of necessary amino acids, therefore, the protein content in products of plant origin is much lower. As a result of this, all vegetable diets lead to an imbalance of the body, worsening of well-being and lethargy. We can get a full complex of vitamins only if we eat different types of proteins, combining them with a moderate amount of carbohydrates and fats.