WHAT IS PROTEIN? There are 20 amino acids, which are the building blocks that make up what we know as protein. Eleven of these amino acids are essential, meaning we cannot synthesize them ourselves and must consume them through food. I'll get more into this in the next section! If you've ever heard of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs), these are essential amino acids that may help with muscle protein synthesis.
FOOD SOURCES OF PROTEIN: – Meat & poultry (chicken, beef, turkey, pork, deli meats, jerky, etc.) – Fish & seafood (salmon, tuna, shrimp, lobster, scallops, cod, etc.) – Dairy (cow's milk, Greek yogurt, eggs, cheese) – Soy products (tofu, soy milk, edamame) – Beans (lentils, chickpeas, black beans, etc.) – Nuts & seeds (peanuts, almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, almond butter, etc.) – Grains (oats, quinoa, freekeh, wheat, etc.)
OTHER TOPICS COVERED IN THE ARTICLE: - Complete vs incomplete protein - Other macros found in protein - How much protein to consume in a day - And more!