5 Signs You’re Not Getting Enough Protein

Protein is very underrated these days.

For ethical and (perceived) health benefits, more people than ever before are turning to vegetarian and vegan diets. But just swapping meat for vegetables and other carbohydrates like pasta, bread and rice isn’t good for your health and can actually damage it.

Don’t get me wrong, there are some vegans that are meticulous in their meal planning and can maintain a healthy diet, but just cutting out animal protein and not replacing it with other types of protein is a big problem for most people.

Yes it is definitely possible to be unhealthy while being veggie or vegan – because it’s not about what you cut out, it’s about what you put in.

And it’s not just non-meat eaters that aren’t getting enough protein, I find people in general underestimate how much protein they need vs how much they’re eating.

Eating too little protein can result in:

* A sluggish metabolism
* Difficulty losing weight
* Difficulty building muscle
* Fatigue and low energy
* Poor concentration
* Trouble learning
* Moodiness and mood swings
* Muscle, bone and joint pain
* Lowered immune system
* Slow wound healing

Blah.

You see, proteins aren’t just for building muscle, they’re used constantly by the body to develop, grow and maintain just about every cell and function required for life, from our skin and hair, to our immune system and brain function.

They’re also present in foods that boost your metabolism and increase your fat burning potential, so are an important ingredient for healthy weight loss.

And because they’re constantly being broken down and used they must be replaced daily.

So are you protein deficient?

Here are some unusual signs you’re not getting enough protein:

You’re not seeing the expected results from your gym sessions

Not only is protein needed to build that all important muscle, not enough protein can lead to muscle atrophy, fatigue and fat gain. In fact, your workouts can actually make things worse if you don’t have enough protein to repair the tissue after exercise.

You suffer with anxiety

Proteins help the brain synthesize hormones like dopamine and serotonin which promote feelings of calm, excitement and positivity.

You can’t sleep

Unstable blood sugar levels can lead to poor sleep and insomnia. A balanced diet with enough protein can help to stabilize blood sugar levels, while eating proteins before bed can help with the production of the all important sleep hormones leading to a better night’s sleep.

You lack motivation

Protein is needed to support many aspects of healthy brain function. Not enough can lead to poor concentration levels and brain fog. Whilst having enough protein can boost work performance, learning and motor skills.

Slow healing wounds