by ninearms » Tue Sep 28, 2010 6:31 pm
[quote="muchluv"]Thanks JP!
The only other question is, I have seen people state that the body 'cannibalises' itsself if enough protein doesn't get consumed. I wonder at what point this is true, and if not, or your consuming enough but not optimal, if the body is just slower to repair or makes do with less? Intriguing.
The RDA is problematic for several reasons:
1) It's an average, the aim of which is to cover an average population. That population includes 5 year old children and housebound 90 year old ladies.
2) The RDA is merely the minimum amount of protein required to avoid nitrogen deficiency, i.e. the amount of protein necessary to replenish all bodily tissues, including hair and skin. It doesn't account for the amount of protein required to repair muscle tissue damaged during strength training, nor the amount of protein necessary to build further muscle.
3) It only prescribes a
minimum amount for the general population, not an
optimum amount for athletes.
The
xg protein/
xkg BW rule is more useful because it takes into account bodyweight. However, a more useful approach is to simply divide your plate in half, fill half with lean protein and the other half with vegetables, and add some good fats on top. Don't fill up on starchy carbs, because that means you'll be too full for ice cream with peanut brittle and chocolate sauce afterwards.
“Begin at the beginning,” the King said gravely, “and go on till you come to the end. Then stop.”
