In a previous article, I talked about what protein is for, why we need it, what foods it comes from and how much we should have. In this article, I’m going to talk about protein balance. How do we walk that fine tightrope so that we don’t get too little or too much protein? And yes, too much protein is NOT a good thing. I’m going to try to explain this in layman’s terms because protein balance can get quite complicated.

Protein balance is more than just the number of grams of protein that one needs per day, depending on your gender and body height. Please refer to my article “Protein Requirements – Why Do We Need Protein” for those details. Protein balance is the science of making sure that we get the correct amount of protein in relation to fats and carbohydrates.

For example, athletes should have more complex carbohydrates in order to provide the energy that muscles need but should keep the food protein and fat within the recommended amount for their height and weight. Somebody who is not as active should cut down on the carbohydrates as this will lead to increased body weight…and not the good kind either.

The bigger problem with getting the right amount of protein (and you meat eaters know this) is that meats high in protein are also high in fat and cholesterol. A diet of steak and eggs in the morning and roast beef for dinner might give you all the protein you need but it will probably give you a heart attack before you hit 40 in the process.

If your diet requires a high intake of protein, good sources that are low in fat are beans and nuts. No, you’re not going to get as much protein out of a handful of nuts as you will a good steak, but by balancing the two, you can get all the protein that you need with reduced risks of cardiovascular disease.

If you need help with balancing the amount of protein that you need to get in your diet, please visit this site. It is a comprehensive review of a great informational product that will help you put all the pieces together so that you get just the right amount of protein in YOUR diet.

Tags: protein balance, protein