Why protein isn't just a craze - but it's also not the only macro you should be looking at

I think by now we all understand that protein is essential to the body. There are thousands of different proteins in the body that have a huge variety of roles, from supporting our immune function to keeping our muscles and bones healthy throughout life.

Protein's had a lot of focus in recent years, and rightly so. We learnt about how much protein we should be getting per day and started buying bars and shakes for the amount of amount of protein they had in them. In some ways, the protein figure became synonymous with it being considered ‘healthy’. But, it’s just not as simple as that. With the craze that saw lots of protein bars, shakes, drinks and desserts hit the market, you should also be mindful of what else is in the product you’re looking at buying. Often these foods are packed full of artificial sweeteners, preservatives and saturated fats. 

It’s like when everyone began counting calories - a time when Mr. Motivator and Jane Fonda were on screen more than we might like to remember! It took a while before our understanding of calorie intake became nuanced enough to realise that it wasn’t always about the number of calories in the food but the quality of those calories. The protein craze has felt similar. 

So, when you’re chasing a protein goal, don’t forget that there are other macro and micronutrients that your body needs too, such as vitamins & minerals, carbohydrates, fats and fibre. And the best way to ensure you’re getting all of these is by eating a variety of different foods and analysing the foods you do eat to see if there’s a way you can be eating smarter. 

I like to think of it like pass the parcel. Each food is like a parcel and every layer is a different type of nutrient. Our digestive system is passing the parcel and at each stage it's unwrapping a layer. Parcel no 1 might have 15g of protein wrapped up in 50g of saturated fat while parcel no 2 may have 15g of protein wrapped in 10g unsaturated fat. These are the trade-offs that we're looking at when we're choosing our food. 

So, the question is - do you want 15g protein wrapped up in layers of saturated fat and carbohydrates? Or, would you be smarter to select the food that has 15g protein wrapped up in fibre, unsaturated fats and vitamins and minerals? 

When it comes to the protein in Earthnutz, I can confidently say the parcel is excellent. It is wrapped in some healthy, unsaturated fats, a small amount of carbohydrates, loads of vitamins & minerals and layers and layers of fibre which is just fantastic for your gut.