If You Desire a Healthy and Lean Body, You MUST Consume Protein

I'll admit, there aren't many times where I have a major craving for a watered-down protein shake or a cup of super bland fat free cottage cheese. Furthermore, scrambling a dozen egg whites is time consuming, very messy, and I hate washing dishes!

When it comes down to it, the only protein source I really enjoy eating is a nice grilled chicken breast. Of course, grilling takes time and planning as well.

So you see, the cards are certainly stacked against us when it comes to consuming adequate amounts of protein. It is for these very reasons that many of my personal training clients get 'scolded' when I review their meal plans and point out just how scarce their respective protein intake has been.

Fruits and veggies are great.....complex carbs and healthy fats- even better! BUT, you still need protein every 2 to 3 hours throughout the day if you desire a toned, healthy, and lean physique!

We all need to eat like bodybuilders- just on a slightly smaller caloric scale. These individuals live off of high quality protein sources, veggies, healthy fats, and SMALL amounts of complex, high-fiber carbs.

Still not convinced? Consider the following 4 reasons to consume high quality protein with each and every meal to achieve your ideal body:

1. Protein is a great appetite suppressant. After ingesting protein, you will not be hungry for longer periods of time and this will help to prevent over-eating.
   
2. By lowering insulin levels, protein allows your body to burn off fat, rather than store it. Therefore, a steady intake of protein throughout each and every day will provide a safeguard against fat accumulation.
   
3. Protein helps you build new muscle and maintain the muscle you already have. A single pound of muscle will burn approximately 50 calories per day…so for every pound of lean muscle you add to your body, you can expect to lose 5 pounds (of ugly body fat) per year!
   
4. Your body has to work harder (burn more calories) to process and digest the protein you eat. This is a nice advantage in the fat loss department, especially when you consider the alternative—eating too many carbs will lead to unwanted fat storage.

Hopefully after reading this you are tempted to make a quick run to the grocery store to stack up on chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, low-fat dairy products....maybe even a whey protein powder.

One thing is for sure- most of us will have an extremely difficult time achieving a lean and tone body without incorporating these 'protein principles' into our fitness meal plan!

Dr. Brad Campbell, AZ Expert Personal Fitness Trainer