Weeks ago, I overheard that if you find yourself waking up tired, it might be because you are not getting enough protein in your diet. I think it was on The Dr. Oz Show, but don’t quote me on that.
The statement sunk in and I wondered if there could be a lack of protein in my diet. Or maybe the tiredness was directly related to having children. Parent = Tired. I’m pretty sure that is in the dictionary somewhere. Anyway, I follow a vegan diet so making sure I get an ample amount of protein is something I am conscious of.
A few days later, when I was reading the blog Notes on Adding Kindness & Health to the Daily Grind (by stellar family members of ours!), in the article Thrive, they were discussing how they felt noticeably better when they included plant-based protein shakes in their diet. The bells went off in my head again.
And then to top it off, 2 weeks ago I read an interview that my friend and college buddy, Tina at Carrots-n-Cake did with Bob Harper, where she specifically asked Bob about protein.
Tina: How much protein do you think the average active person needs in their diet?
Bob: Protein is crucial for muscle repair and building and it also keeps you satiated. I recommend getting in AT LEAST half of your body weight in grams so if you weigh 150 lbs., get in 75 grams.
(You can read the full interview here: “Bob Harper on CrossFit, The Biggest Loser & His Last Meal on Earth“)
At this point I’m thinking- OK, universe I get it! Thanks for the messages! That very day during his lunch break, my husband went to the health food store and picked up some vegan protein powder.
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Protein shakes are now a part of my diet, especially in the morning when I start my day and I can honestly say that I feel noticeably better. Less tired (not 100% though because remember parent = tired), but enough that I feel the protein powder is worth the investment. And it is an investment! You’ll see if you check out the prices.
My personal feeling is your health is worth the investment. You never know if taking care of your nutritional needs now could save you big bucks in health care in the long run. Basically, I feel the same way about taking certain vitamins. They don’t replace good eating habits, but as Dr. Andrew Weil says, I think of them as a little insurance policy.
If you are waking up tired no matter how many hours of sleep you get, you may want to try adding a protein shake to your day. It has helped me. Not to mention, it is also a great opportunity to mix in a healthy dose of fruits and vegetables.
Should you decide to try adding a protein shake to your diet, let me know what you think. I’d love to hear!
To your good health
This article is not intended as medical advice, and this information should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
