10 Signs You Should Eat More Protein

Protein is an essential part of any diet. Many people avoid proteins because they associate them with weight gain, high cholesterol, and fat. The truth is, you need protein for your body to function properly. Low protein levels can lead to many types of ailments. For optimal health, you should know the signs of low protein levels.

Thinning Hair

If your hair is continually falling out or thinning, you may be lacking the protein necessary to keep your hair healthy. Hair is a byproduct of proteins in the body. If you do not “feed” your hair, it will fall out more often than normal and it will grow back at a much slower rate.

Brittle Nails

If you have experienced more broken nails than usual without an obvious cause, you may need to up your protein intake. Our hair and nails use protein to grow long and strong, without it, the nail plate thins and breaks easier.

Swollen Hands, Feet, or Face

Swelling in your face, hands, feet, or ankles is usually due to fluid accumulation. The swelling couls be a sign of low protein.  Low protein-induced liver problems cause your body to retain more water, instead of flushing it out. 

Random Allergies

If you’re experiencing allergy signs all of a sudden when you have never suffered from allergies before, it could be a sign of a protein deficiency.  Protein gives our immune system strength.  When you body isn’t getting enough protein, you are more prone to allergies and illnesses. 

Feeling Weak

Muscles need protein to stay strong. When your muscles do not have adequate protein to repair themselves, they will feel weak and achy. Your muscles will start to deteriorate if they cannot be fed the proper fuel to keep them healthy and strong.

Always Feeling Tired And Worn Out

When your muscles weaken from poor nutrition, the rest of your body responds by feeling tied and worn out. This is your body’s way of telling you it needs a solid energy source to function and help you feel better. At this point, many people reach for a candy bar for energy, but they really should be reaching for a protein bar.

Craving Sweets

Many people think that when they crave sweets they are craving carbs. Your muscles need protein to function properly, and when they cannot get enough protein, they turn to carbs for energy. If you are continually craving sweets, you may be starving your muscles.

Prone To Colds

Your immune system can easily become worn down when your body is not being fed enough protein. Your muscles will start seeking energy from other areas of your body so that they can continue to function. When this happens, other functions of your body, including your immune system become starved and weakened.

Insomnia Or Sleeping Problems

Your brain controls all of the hormones necessary for a good night’s sleep. When your body is lacking the fats and protein necessary to keep your brain healthy, it will not produce these hormones in enough quantity for a good night’s sleep. Additionally, when your body and muscles ache, you will have a hard time sleeping.

Hungry Soon After Eating

When you consume proteins, your body processes the food slower than any other type of food. This keeps you feeling full for a longer time and reduces the amount of food you consume each day. People who follow high carb diets always find themselves hungry and snacking.

Brain Fog

Your brain needs fat and protein to function. Your brain will feel “foggy” when it is not feed properly, and you will suffer with other issues such as memory problems and easy confusion when your brain does not receive the right nutrition. The fats that are often found in foods with high protein are necessary for your brain to work.

Random Muscle And Joint Pain

When your muscles cannot find the protein they need to function, they rebel by becoming achy and sore. Joints ache and muscles become less flexible. This leads to an overall feeling of pain and achiness in your body.

Hard Time Recovering From Injuries

When your body is injured, it needs good nutrition to help it recover. This includes eating enough protein to help muscles and tendons make a full recovery. Protein is fuel, and when your body is in the process of healing from an injury, it needs sufficient fuel to repair the damage.

Water Weight

A lack of protein in your diet will increase your water retention. Protein plays an important role in the water balance of your body, and not getting enough can cause you to retain water. If you are noticing swelling of certain body parts due to water retention, then add more protein to your diet.

Difficulty Building Muscle

Protein is in charge of building and maintaining lean muscle. If you aren’t getting enough protein in your diet, then you may notice that even after extensive strength training, you won’t be gaining much muscle mass. Eat some more protein and you’ll be building muscle much faster.

Symptoms Of Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is a medical emergency that occurs when the levels of glucose in the blood is low. A low amount of protein in your diet could lead to blood sugar instability.