What's A Good Source of Protein?

There are many bits and pieces of nutritional advice that can be given to dieters and bodybuilders alike, but if you're looking to tone your body or build muscle, there is absolutely one piece of advice that is absolutely essential: eat protein. There is absolutely no way around this. Protein builds muscle mass, maintains muscle mass, and helps repair muscles after working out. Muscle burns far more calories (even at rest) than fat does, making protein all the more important to change your body from flab to fit.

Protein is absolutely essential to having a great body, and if you're dieting you are far better off to eat a high protein, low carb diet than vice versa. The problem for some people is figuring out what great sources of protein there are that don't bust the gut. Yes, red meat has protein, but is that 20 oz steak slathered in steak sauce or those two big thick fatty hamburgers really healthy for you? The answer is obviously no, as you don't want the salt and saturated fat that comes with those choices.

So what's left? There are a lot of healthy sources of good protein. Good sources of protein can come from leaner meats like turkey and buffalo. These are two of the best meat sources for protein as both are absolutely loaded, while having far less fat and cholesterol than their common red meat counterparts. Bodybuilders especially love these two meats because they're packed with protein and are very good tasting, as well.

Turkey is especially easy to find, and can often replace your fattier pork or beef based favorites. Nowadays it's not that hard to find ground turkey for burgers, regular turkey, turkey bratwursts, turkey hot dogs, turkey sausage, and even turkey bacon if you just can't get away from that morning deep fried flavor.

But good bodybuilders also know that they don't have to rely on meat for their protein. Beans are an excellent source of protein (dried or organic - not canned). Go for the dried or organic beans because canned beans often have added preservatives, fat, and sugar, all of which is unhealthy and counter productive. Beans are a favorite, but the most serious of bodybuilders and body sculptors know that they don't even have to stick with normal food.

Whey protein, and other protein shakes, are becoming enormously popular among dieters and bodybuilders alike. Whey protein is added to water or milk, and is the best protein source of all. The human body can process nearly all 100% of whey protein, a far higher rate than almost any other kind that appears in nature. Whey protein is the absolute best source of protein available, and it comes from a natural source which makes it even better.

Other protein shakes can also be very effective, and should not be dismissed out of hand. Being able to get a large amount of protein without the unhealthy sides that often appear with protein in nature is a great thing, and if you want to get that body you've been working so hard for, you better have as many good sources of protein as you can get.