Part I For years, protein was placed on a pedestal and touted as the ultimate performance food. While many Americans still don t get the protein their bodies need, others are eating too much. It s important to know that what s right for you depends upon your size and the amount and type of exercise you do.
Protein is an essential nutrient composed of amino acids.
Protein can also serve as an energy source during exercise, contributing 5 percent of calories when enough carbohydrate is consumed and up to 15 percent if the intensity of exercise is high enough or when calorie intake is inadequate. The body digests protein to form amino acids, part of an amino acid pool that also contains those from body proteins. When enough protein is consumed, the body is able to synthesize new proteins from the amino acid pool. For the average 150-lb. Eating a 4-ounce chicken breast alone provides 35 g.