Welcome back to The 10 Step Checklist For Build a Lean, Strong, High-Performance Body. This is part II, where we break down what you need to do at the kitchen and the table to get your nutrition on point into simple steps. If you missed Part I then you might want to check it out here.
4. Eat protein, and eat enough of it.
Of the three macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins), protein is probably the most talked about but also the most misunderstood.
Basically, protein is primarily a structural macronutrient in that you are made up largely of protein. While it can be used as energy to fuel you, doing so uses a very inefficient system and is a task better left to the carbohydrates and fats.
As far as how much protein do you really need? The answer is, as usual, “it depends”. If you listen to your average bro-lifter who gets his info from the bodybuilding magazines full of glossy, T&A-filled ads for protein powders… the answer is that you need something between a shit-load and the National deficit. If you listen to the random hippy in the health food store then you should be able to get all you need from broccoli. If you find the right hippy they may tell you that all you need to do is smell the broccoli. Trust me, they’re out there.
As I’m sure you realize, the answer is somewhere in the middle. Continue reading