Protein push: How much is enough?

The protein emphasis may have its roots in the Atkins and South Beach diet crazes that promised rapid weight loss by limiting carbohydrates and focusing on high-protein foods.

Scan food labels at the grocery store, and you might think protein deficiency is rampant in this country. Everywhere you look manufacturers prominently display the protein content of frozen pizza snacks, breakfast cereals, even jars of baby food.

Even protein powders and protein bars, once confined to gyms and health food stores, have gone mainstream.

The protein emphasis may have its roots in the Atkins and South Beach diet crazes that promised rapid weight loss by limiting carbohydrates and focusing on high-protein foods.

But neither plan ever pushed pizza snacks. So why the protein push today? Do we really need to search out and buy only the highest protein foods? Does anybody really need those powders and bars?

With the exception of two specific groups of people, the answer is no. Most Americans get all the protein needed in a day without even trying.

Protein is essential for the function or repair of just about every cell in the human body, from hair, nails and hormones to muscle, bones and blood. Because it can’t be stored in the body like fat and carbohydrates, we need to replenish the supply every day. Yet the actual amount needed may surprise people accustomed to platter-sized steaks. Half a chicken breast and a couple slices of cheese supply all the protein that most healthy American adults need in a day. As vegetarians know, there are many good nonanimal sources of protein, especially if incomplete sources are combined to make a complete protein, as with rice and beans.

Read Full Article