Nutrition for Natural Health: Go Protein!
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This post was written by Angela
on November 9, 2011 | Comments (5)
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In the game of natural health, the food we consume is a pretty basic starting point; basic, but sometimes still confusing. I was recently told that I need to try my darnedest to consume protein at every meal, meaning every 4-5 hours. Why the tip?  Obviously balanced 
nutrients play their role in more ways than we know, but some benefits of protein include repairing injury and tissue growth, reversing fatigue, and immune system support.
In my case, an unending stream of light sleeping and insomnia brought about this cue for protein needs. Since low serotonin can lead to sleep disturbances, consuming tryptophan-inclusive proteins can contribute to an increase in your body’s serotonin production, thus improving sleep. Sounds strange right? Having trouble sleeping? Eat a steak! It’s all more scientific than I want to delve into here (plus I’m not a scientist), but that’s the gist of it.
While I would consider my diet healthy overall, consciously including any one nutrient has never been a part of the game for me. This was quite a challenge for someone who 1) grazes from morning to night and doesn’t strictly define meals and 2) barely eats meat and avoids a lot of dairy. What to do?! Of course, when the student is ready, the teacher will appear, and this t
ime it’s in the form of an article through Shine, aptly titled 8 veggies, nuts, and grains with more protein than a burger. In the article, I was reassured by Alisa Rutherford-Fortunati that I am, in fact, already consuming a lot of high protein items:
When most people think of protein, images of cheese, eggs and a leg of lamb pop into their heads. Did you know though that every – yes, every  – whole food contains protein? According to the CDC, adult men need about 56 grams of protein a day, and adult women need about 46 grams a day. But, from your morning banana to your evening salad, you’re getting some. It’s easier than you think to find plant-based foods that are packed with protein. In fact, many vegetables, nuts, and grains have more grams of protein per calorie than a cheeseburger!
Make sure to check out the list, eat your protein, and reap all those stress-busting health-promoting benefits! Since I’m no longer waking up from the sound of my cat walking quietly on the bedroom carpet, it’s safe to say I’ll be keeping up this new foodie ritual.
How have you used nutrition as an aim for natural healing? For more natural/alternative opportunities, make sure to visit our healthful offering on the Health & Healing page!
Reader Comments
on November 9th, 2011 @ 12:37 pm
Thanks for the great post, Angela! I’m a vegetarian, and I find it very challenging to consume enough protein and iron. I try to eat a lot of textured vegetable protein and non-meat products, but it’s tough to do that at every meal, especially for breakfast and lunch when I’m at work. I began taking iron supplements, which I found also helps with daily fatigue. But I’m definitely going to check out the link you provided and see which protein-rich, non-meat foods I should start eating more of.
on November 9th, 2011 @ 12:59 pm
My breakfast trick (since I really don’t eat breakfast) is to now make chai tea, which I was drinking every morning anyway, and mix in some whey protien. Tada! Fast, yummy, protien rich morning latte to the rescue!
on November 9th, 2011 @ 1:47 pm
Ohhhh, Ms Angela, I love that idea & will def be using it for mine! Thank you also for the link to that site & the post. Brightest Blessings!
on November 9th, 2011 @ 3:01 pm
I work a graveyard shift (11p-7a) but I try to act and sleep like a normal person on my 2 days off a week. I have lots of issues staying awake at the right times if I don’t watch what and when I eat. Great post!
on November 12th, 2011 @ 1:33 am
Great post and appropriate since I am in Brazil and sleeping horribly. You make a great reference to how diet can control so many aspects of our lives. One thing to remember is that high carbohydrates will release insulin which then helps clear the body of amino acids that compete with tryptophan. This is more than likely why when you eat the yams with turkey you get sleepy and pass out during the Lions games on Thanksgiving. On the flip side, a high protein meal without carbs can increase tyrosine levels which can be stimulatory for the brain so sometimes a combo is best. Ultimately it is best to stay away from processed carbs and use natural carbs like those found in milk. Milk has those complex carbs and protein and calcium which helps convert the tryptophan to melatonin. So maybe mom was right about giving you that glass of warm milk before bed.