You Are Always Hungry
Protein is an essential part of your diet. Studies have shown that a high protein diet has been more beneficial when it comes to hunger pangs, than high fat or even high carbohydrate diets. So if you are a leaf eating machine, but still a little hungry after eating your salad, then try adding a slice of chicken, fish or even a boiled egg. All of which are high in protein and can stem the hunger and even prevent you snacking throughout the day.
You Constantly Desire Sweet Things
Eating a high protein diet helps to keep the blood sugar levels steady. If you are eating an inadequate amount of protein, then your blood sugar levels become destabilised and can result in cravings for sugar. If you are constantly in need of a sugar high, then it is likely that you are not getting enough protein into your diet. If you’re getting these cravings then why don’t you try a handful of nuts or an egg? If you’re used to having a highly refined carbohydrate and sugar full snack, then you will also be used to feeling just as hungry and desperate for sugar as soon as you have had it.
You Are Always Getting Sick
Protein is essential to maintain a healthy, happy body and immune system. When you do not have enough protein in your body, your immune system tends not to work as well, therefore lowering the amount of white blood cell production, which is your first line of defence when having a bacteria or a virus. If you would like your body to be functioning at its highest potential, then having a diet full of meat, fish, eggs, lentils, seeds, nuts, quinoa and tofu is vital.
You Are Always Hurting Yourself
If you enjoy working out regularly, then eating a lot of protein is essential for the renewal and regrowth of the muscles broken down by exercise. If you have too little protein in your diet your recovery time could be much more than if you have a diet rich in protein. Another issue is the loss in muscle tissue as well as muscle strength. Protein is the foundation for muscle growth and recovery. If you eat too little protein, then you are at a higher risk of hurting yourself during exercise and everyday life. If you work out regularly, then your daily protein intake should be between 20g to 25g a day.
Bad Skin
As I said earlier, protein is the building blocks for healthy muscles as well as skin cells. Protein is essential for cell renewal and regrowth, therefore not having enough protein in your body means that you skin cells cannot renew themselves as quickly as they would normally do. In order to retain healthy and happy skin, ensure that you have as much protein as you can throughout the day especially for lunch and dinner, or before a heavy work out.
Feeling Tired and Not Being Able To Concentrate
Protein contains an essential chemical which our body uses to create serotonin. This chemical is called ‘Tryptophan’. Serotonin is a hormone that floods the brain, stimulating feelings of being calm, relaxed and happy. If your feeling tired from a hard emotional day, the serotonin helps to relieve the emotional fatigue. Protein additionally contains tyrosine, which is used by the brain to make adrenaline and noradrenaline, which keeps your mind active. Just remember – protein equals no more mind fog.