What High Protein Really Does To You

Posted by Hosanna on February 23rd, 2021

High Protein is all the rage. It's a powerful tool in weight loss and the body builder's secret.
But, is it?

Well, that goes into the physiology and the your unique metabolism works. And whether you actually need high protein or not.

For the most part, we really don't need much protein at all. For most people, we need about 50-60 grams of protein per day. That translates into about 6-9 oz of meat per day.

In food terms, that's just 1 egg and a small chicken breast. It's small salmon fillet and a filet mignon. It's basically just a small steak at a steak house.

Now, that also doesn't take into account the vegetable proteins you eat as well. But, vegetable proteins aren't well balanced and it's easy to get deficient if you try to only eat vegetable proteins. That's why most vegetarians look frail and sickly.

When you are putting on muscle or healing from an injury, your body will use more protein, so you requirements go up to about 12-16oz of meat per day.

And here's the kicker: You don't store amino acids. If your body doesn't need them, you poop them out.

Therefore, body builders aren't getting anything from whey drinks. Weight loss seekers just get a full stomach from protein drinks, which displaces sugars and carbs.

There is a downside. If you do eat high protein for too long, you damage your kidneys. We are designed to go through phases where we eat lots of protein, then none. It gives our bodies a chance to detox naturally. But, if you eat protein non-stop, you don't get the detox and then gallbladder, liver, and kidney issues follow.

Now, when it comes to weight loss, you can't eat a high protein diet and lose weight. Even the Atkin's diet doesn't recommend eating mostly meats. They actually recommend 80% of your foods come from low-carb vegetables, with meats as the sides. Since I did Atkin's the right way, and still follow their philosophy, I can say with authority that Atkin's is not a high meat diet.

When you cut your carbs, the percentage of protein naturally goes up. That's basic math to those who aren't common core.

But, it doesn't mean overdoing it. The only foods you should be eating lots of are fruits and veggies. Use meats as a good healthy side, and skip the drinks. They aren't worth it.