Question:
Why protein?

   — Sarah V. (posted on September 6, 2002)

September 6, 2002
hiya, ok this is what i found online (pretty simple terms):: "Protein is a nutrient made up of amino acids. There are two types of amino acids. Non-essential Amino Acids can usually be synthesized by a healthy body from the foods that we eat each day. The Essential Amino Acids however, must be obtained through the daily diet. Protein has a number of important roles in the body, including: Repair of body cells Build and repair muscles and bones Provide a source of energy Regulate many important metabolic processes in the body" and this website is great with tons of info about why our bodies need different types of nutrients (it's actually made for kids but it has a lot of info!!!): http://www.howstuffworks.com/food3.htm btw, you do need veggies/carbs/sugars/fats/fiber - all that stuff but since our body malabsorbs it needs lots of protein to stay strong and healthy! i hope that helps! email me if you have any questions: [email protected] {hugs} kate open rny 6-14-01 pre op: 268lbs goal: 135lbs current: 130lbs
   — jkb

September 6, 2002
I could go into a lengthy explanation but you are probably better off to get it from the horse's mouth, so to speak. There is a LOT of great information in the book "Protein Power" by Drs. Eades. In a nutshell, it talks about why high-carb/low-fat diets don't work due to your body's chemistry. In fact, instead of making you healthy they cause you to become insulin resistant and gain weight. Now this book is not as extreme as Atkins in that you start at a fairly low carb count and increase the amount of carbs you eat as you lose the weight. In the end you adjust according to your own body's tolerance which makes perfect sense to me since, as we know from this site, everyone's different! =) Protein is a wonderful thing and if you don't eat enough you can become anemic. But if you want to know the WHY I would definitely recommend this book.
   — ctyst

September 6, 2002
We've all been taught that protein builds muscle, but the myocardium (heart muscle) also needs protein. Without protein, we'd have a heart attack (myocardial infarction).
   — thumpiez