High Protein Diet
This article discuses a high protein diet that worked well for the author. Before you consider any major changes in your diet, it is a good idea to talk to a medical doctor, a nutritionist, a certified personal trainer or anyone else with the qualifications, experience and education necessary to make a proper evaluation of your dietary needs.
The high-protein diet that worked for me was not simply a high-protein diet it also worked in tandem with a focused exercise regimen. This particular diet was used by an active, young male in good shape and in good health.
The reason a high protein diet was desired was to increase the size and tone of muscles and to decrease the amount of body fat. It was also designed to gain some weight, preferably from lean muscle mass and not from excess fat.
The diet consisted of approximately fives small meals a day. Any protein consumed that was nonfat or very low-fat was acceptable. Nonfat or low fat carbohydrates were acceptable but not as the main part of a meal. Protein was obtained through: whey protein powder, tuna fish (high in protein, fresh is better because canned has too much sodium), sometimes salmon (great for omega three fatty acids, but it does contain some fat), nonfat milk, lean chicken breast, egg whites (preferably organic) or soy products.
The carbohydrate component should include vegetables with at least three of the meals and fruit with at least two of the meals. Starch or fiber-rich food should be included with at least one of the meals. Generally the rule is not too eat anything at least three to four hours before bedtime so that the body can digest the food. Water should be consumed all day and before bedtime. Water helps regulate the body, it also make you feel full so you do not overeat.
With a high protein diet it is important to also have an excellent cardio and weight training athletic component. Generally, the author believes that you should do heavy athletic activity six days a week. This means at least one to one and half hours of weights and forty five minutes to an hour and a half of cardio per day. This translates to a minimum of one hour and forty five minutes of athletic activity per day. This is for a young male. On the sixth day forty minutes of brisk walking at a minimum is recommended.
This diet which consist of five small meals with protein as the main part of the meal, coupled with a vigorous exercise program as well as plenty of water intake and at least eight hours of sleep per night should keep a young male healthy and add to the longevity of his life.