Protein is an essential nutrient as it helps build, preserve, and restore body tissues. This nutrient is abundant in grains, vegetables, and beans. Thus, if you are on a plant-based diet, you should not have a hard time meeting your body’s daily protein requirements. On the other hand, for those who are not on a plant-based diet, foods like dairy, meat, and eggs are also good sources of protein.
Women with average weight and height require 46gms of protein a day. While men with average height and weight require about 56gms of protein daily. However, the majority of Americans eat up to almost double the amount of the standard protein requirement.
It is important to keep in mind that more is not always better. Studies show that consuming substantial amounts of animal-sourced protein can result in a higher risk of death due to diabetes. On the other hand, those who are consuming less protein are at risk of death due to cancer.
Final Thoughts
Protein is necessary for the body’s overall health. While sourcing your protein from animal products is completely fine, getting it from a healthier source such as vegetables and grains allows you to reap its benefits in full potential.