Thursday, October 24, 2013

Eat Up!



Today I want to discuss the top sources of protein you should be eating.  All these sources are healthy foods which provide you with more than just protein and if you do not eat them already I would highly recommend that you add them to your diet.

1) EGGS:- Eggs contain around 5.5g of protein each and are relatively low in calories with a medium egg containing approximately 68. Not bad, eh? Eggs can help you keep your mind sharp!  Not only is this food amazing but you can prepare eggs so many different ways.  They can be eaten as a standalone food either hard boiled, soft boiled, poached, fried or scrambled.  Eggs can also be used as part of a meal either as an omelet (just add some vegetables, milk or whatever else you fancy) or as part of a tasty sauce.

2) SALMON:- This one is a new love for me. For many years I thought I didn’t like Salmon. I tried it a few months ago and guess what? I LOVED it! Eating Salmon improves your mood and may prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Salmon fillets weigh in at 140 calories per 100g and each fillet also provides you with 20g of protein and 6g of fat.  Whilst it may seem like a relatively fatty protein choice, salmon provides your body with essential omega 3 fatty acids.  Whilst fish is not everyone’s favorite food choice, salmon is reasonably versatile.  It can be eaten raw (in the form of smoked salmon), grilled, steamed or fried.  Salmon also complements many vegetables perfectly and the two can be combined to create a healthy, nutritious main meal.

3) ALMONDS:- Almonds are a a great protein source and easily portable.  A 100g portion of these nuts provides your body with 23.4g but it comes at a cost of 612 calories. Remember to eat these guys in moderation. Almonds help to protect your body against cancer, diabetes and help you have a healthy cardiovascular system.  Although almonds are a bit more limited when it comes to how you eat them you still have a few choices and can either be eaten on their own or as part of a mixed fruit and nut selection.

Remember that protein is an essential building block for your body but if you make the right protein choices in your diet you can enjoy numerous health benefits too.   If none of the above foods are currently part of your diet then I highly recommend that you make some changes and start eating them more regularly.