Explore the Protein Stacking Trend
Nowadays, there are a myriad of ways to maximize your health trending on social media. From ice baths to chia seeds, the trends seem to be unrelenting. One trend, however, is something that is very good for your health
Protein stacking, According to Healthline, or simply setting a goal for the amount of protein to be consumed over the course of the day, and meeting that goal, has a slew of health benefits. That’s because protein is one of three macronutrients that are essential to support your cells and organs.
The dietary guidelines are 46 grams of protein per day and adult males 56 grams but eating more can be beneficial to your health. The benefits of eating more protein throughout the day are manyfold.
Bones to Brain
Protein is the building block of your muscles and helps build and maintain muscle mass. Consuming large amounts of protein will make it easier for muscles to heal after injury.
In addition, eating protein combined with resistance training could be important in maintaining bone strength as you age. Likewise, it helps burn fat and boost your metabolism. Consuming protein may also help lower blood pressure.
If that is not enough, Yahoo Health reports that eating appropriate amounts of protein is beneficial for brain health and for staying alert during the day.
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Not all at Once
All of this comes with a caveat, however. It is not enough to just eat a lot of protein. You must be strategic, and spread out protein consumption throughout the day in order to receive optimal health benefits.
Most Americans tend to eat the most protein during dinner. But this is actually the worst way to meet your protein goals. Unlike carbohydrates or fat, the body cannot store protein. When you load up on protein rich foods in the evening, most of that protein will simply be discarded by the body, and not used. On the other hand, spreading protein consumption out throughout the day, in the amount of about 25 to 35 grams per meal, will allow the body to use that protein optimally.
Luckily, there are plenty of delicious ways to add protein to your daily diet without using supplements. Real Simple suggests foods such as cottage cheese, salmon, pepitas, shelled edamame, hard boiled eggs, Greek yogurt, almonds, tofu, and various hard cheeses such as cheddar. Just a half a cup of any of these snacks could add about 10 grams of protein to one’s diet.
Maintaining your health sometimes means paying attention to the small details, such as the balance of the meals you eat and when you eat. On the other hand, this also means that making changes in your diet can have a large effect on your health.
Eating an appropriate amount of protein throughout the day as opposed to in one big lump could be highly beneficial in a myriad of ways. This is one trend that is trending for the right reasons.
