Are You Getting Enough Protein In Your Diet

Are you getting enough protein in your diet?  Here are some symptoms that may point toward protein deficiency. Do you crave bread or pasta? Are you a restless sleeper? Do you feel worse in the winter? Do you have brain fog? Do you have trouble e handling stress? Are you very anxious? Do you wake up tired? Do you crave sweets or caffeine? Are you very tired by day? Do you have joint pain?

If yes, it is probable that you are low on protein.

Constant cravings for sweets is because of unstable blood sugar. Protein deficiency and unstable blood sugar go together. 

How much protein do we need each day? According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation and the European Society of Clinical Nutrition, younger adults should be having .36 grams of protein per pound of body weight. Older adults were suggested to consume even more because of increased muscle loss at old age.

Not all protein is created equally though. Red meat, being very acidic, penetrates better into tissues and can help build up your reserves. Other protein sources are from beans, seeds, eggs, nuts, fish and poultry.

Try consuming 4 ounces of red meat daily for a couple of weeks. You can test your protein levels by getting a’ total serum protein’ test.

However, you want to take caution with the meat, not to cook it at an overly high temperature. The National Cancer Institute says that eating meat that was cooked at high temperatures is cancer causing. Meats cooked at temperatures higher than 300 degrees Fahrenheit tend to form cancer causing HCAs. Charred meat is the worst. Cooking meat on a low flame is always recommended. Acrylamide is a cancer-causing chemical which is created in food when cooked at high temperatures. Boiling and steaming is usually gentler on the food. Don’t overcook and keep the heat on the lower side.