Protein Isn't Everything

The title of this blog post may be surprising to you, as most of us athletes are told since the beginning of our athletic career that protein is the most important part of our diet. I'm not disagreeing that protein is important; it is, but it's not everything. We, as humans, don't need protein in every meal. And in my opinion, protein should be consumed wisely, as it is can affect energy levels and performance. 

Disclaimer: These are all of my thoughts and opinions from past experience and what has worked for me.

What Happens When You Consume Protein

Protein is for recovery. After we exercise, our muscles are damaged and in order for muscle synthesis to occur in order to heal them, we need protein. When we consume protein, we are telling our body to rest and repair. 

When Should We Consume Protein?

The best time to consume protein is right after a workout, specifically 30 minutes after exercising, so we can let our body know that it is time to recover and repair our damaged muscles. Eating foods high in protein will cause fatigue, so it's best not to consume protein before exercising. Several hours before a workout, I recommend eating foods high in carbohydrates, which will give you energy. 

Mistakes I Have Seen

I have seen a lot of people, especially at the gym I work out at, going way overboard with the protein. They'll have a cup of proffee (protein powder + coffee) and add a scoop of protein powder in their oatmeal for breakfast. They'll have a protein shake and a thick slab of meat for lunch, and then again for dinner. And in between meals, they'll have a protein bar. 

I notice that this type of person usually has low energy and needs caffeine (and a lot of it) in order to function. Caffeine is a topic for another time, but I believe that it is a substance that all, especially athletes, should stay away from as much as possible. I understand that these people are trying to gain muscle, but I don't think it's a good idea, especially for athletes, to risk their energy levels for muscle gains. 

Quality of Protein Matters

It's also important to get protein from quality sources. All of my protein comes from organic nuts, beans, and plant-based protein powders. 

By eating foods that are high-quality and organic, you will get more nutrients, because organically-grown plants are grown in nutrient-high dirt. Conventionally grown plants get their nutrients from synthetic fertilizers, which leads to a nutrient-deficient harvest. And the reason why we eat is to get nutrients. So you can imagine that someone on an entirely organic diet will consume less than someone who is only consuming conventionally-grown foods, because there are more nutrients in organically-grown plants than conventionally-grown plants. 

The beauty of eating organic is that you will get more nutrients faster, without all of the synthetic chemicals and GMOs that conventionally-grown foods include, so that you can replenish your body and recover faster. And recovery is one of the most important parts of being an athlete. 

So my main point in this post is that protein is not everything an athlete needs in their diet and eating too much protein can cause more harm than good. I recommend eating foods high in protein after a workout, and eating foods high in carbs before a workout.  Professional tennis player Novak Djokovic goes over this routine in depth in his book, Serve to Win. He also talks about how cutting gluten and dairy out of his diet helped him tremendously in rising to the top of the Men's Pro Tennis Tour. I definitely recommend all athletes read this book. 

Comment below your favorite foods that are high in protein. Thanks for reading!