Proteins are used to build and grow muscles, tissues, hair and nails. They are essential in the diet because they provide energy!
Protein is essential! They are used to build muscles, nails, hair and skin, for the functioning of the heart and to defend your body against disease.
The role of proteins
Proteins are what provide you with the energy you need to perform your daily tasks. After childbirth, protein helps in the production of breast milk. As we cannot store up protein, our diet must contain it every day, ideally at every meal.
The source of protein
There are proteins of animal origin and proteins of vegetable origin. Foods rich in protein of animal origin are meat, fish, crustaceans, molluscs, eggs, milk and dairy products in general. Foods rich in plant-based proteins are cereals, legumes (soya, lentils, dried beans, chickpeas, split peas, etc.), nuts and seeds.
Nutritional Needdaily
As the need for protein varies depending on whether you are a child, a woman or a man, it is recommended to calculate between 15 and 20% of your daily calories in protein, divided into three meals to balance your needs in energy. In pregnant or breastfeeding women, the needs are increased since energy expenditure is also increased.
