The Power Of Protein In Your Diet

By Anita Nall Richesson, Olympian & Nutritionist

Did you know that we can survive and thrive without carbohydrate, but not protein or fat?  While I don’t recommend this, especially for athletes, it can be done.  Protein is made up of 20 amino acids, 6 of which we MUST get from our diet.  It forms the major components of muscle, skin, tendons, blood vessels and hair.  65% of total body protein lies in muscle.  Most importantly, it is imperative that we get our protein requirements satiated b/c it drives our hunger levels.  We will typically eat until our protein requirements are satisfied in a day.  

I speak about protein frequently, not because I believe that we need excessively high amounts of it, but because I have found that it’s the most underestimated food in people’s diets.  I’ve had clients that require 120 grams per day and are consuming less than half of that.  I’ve worked with athletes who struggle with recovery that eat well below their needs in a day as well.  Lack of protein slows down recovery time, can cause brain fog, poor muscle development and weakened immunity.  

While there are plenty of high protein diets on the market, I advocate a moderate about of protein, coupled with high vegetable intake and the ‘right’ amount of starchy carbohydrate (like potato) for your level of activity.  The key though, is to eat your protein consistently throughout the day, like every 3-4 hours.  More often than not, when reviewing a client’s food log, I see huge breaks in their protein intake throughout the day and/or they started their day with cereal, a virtually protein-less food.

I often hear that people are too busy or in a hurry and struggle to get their protein requirements met in the morning.  Here are a few ideas for a quick morning breakfast that really fuels you up before a busy day.  Beginning a day with only coffee and a bagel misses the boat on what’s possible for your energy levels and metabolism, not to mention muscle growth and development.  Nutrigrain and granola bars aren’t much better.  

While protein powder supplements and drinks come in handy from time to time, be sure not to rely on them for your daily nutrition.  They are still processed forms of food instead of whole food options.  Remember, whole foods are always best!  

Anita Nall Richesson Biography

Olympian, Nutritionist, Life Coach & Wellness Expert

Setting the swimming world ablaze at the young age of fifteen with 2

world records in one day propelled Anita into the fast lane of success. After swimming for the cycle (gold, silver, and bronze) in the 1992 Olympic Summer Games in Barcelona, many health challenges hampered her attempts at returning to an Olympic level.

Challenged by a series of “mystery illnesses” that lasted a decade after the Olympics, Anita rediscovered health through food. Traditional medicine’s failed healing attempts drove her towards a personal quest for wellness and a passionate understanding of the healing power of food. Her profound experiences with illness, healing and professional athletics have given her a unique perspective she shares with clients.

After completing her undergraduate degree in Communications and Spanish from Arizona State University she pursued holistic nutrition education at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in Tempe, Arizona. Anita is a Certified Holistic Nutrition Specialist, Life Coach and accomplished motivational speaker. Anita is also an elite member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. She completed 3 NFL seasons as Nutrition Consultant for the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL Football Team and works with various elite professional athletes including UFC fighters, boxers & world-class swimmers around the country. She writes nutrition & wellness articles for various groups and recently began an empowerment program for teenage female athletes that centers around motivation, nutrition & increased self-esteem. http://www.anitanall.com

Read the following articles to learn more about Anita:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/dana-vollmer-wins-100-butterfly-for-us-swimmings-first-gold-medal-at-worlds/2011/07/25/gIQAMFVbYI_story.html

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/kelli_anderson/07/25/Vollmer-wins-first-US-gold/

http://www.muscleandfitness.com/news-and-features/athletes-andcelebrities/brock-lesnar-set-make-december-comeback