Yes! Protein has gained a great deal of attention in recent years and for good reason. While studies have shown that carbohydrates cause a swing in blood sugar (that signals the body to create body fat), protein actually helps to minimize your carbohydrate intake, thus minimizing how much fat your body is creating. Additional protein has also been shown to help some individuals lose weight by helping them feel more satisfied and therefore less tempted to snack on empty calories.

Proteins are essential to human life and participate in every process within our cells. Protein is found in your muscles, bones, skin, hormones, blood and enzymes. Protein comprises 20 building blocks called amino acids. Of those 20, the body makes 11 called nonessential amino acids. The other nine, called essential amino acids, must be supplied by food, or dietary protein, explains Julie Burns, M.S., R.D., owner of SportFuel Inc., a sports-nutrition company in Western Springs, III. There are two kinds of dietary protein — complete and incomplete, Burns says. Animal and soy proteins are called “complete” proteins because they contain all nine essential amino acids. Plant products, including vegetables, nuts and legumes, are called “incomplete” proteins because they lack one or more essential amino acids, she says.

So, How Do You Calculate How Much Protein You Need On A Daily Basis?

It’s easy! To calculate your daily protein needs in grams, simply multiply your weight by 0.4 (for a 150-pound women, that’s 60 grams a day). Knowing this information will