Many people who are starting out on their fitness journey are not eating enough protein in their diet. They vastly underestimate how much they need and how much they are actually consuming.

Protein is one of three macronutrients; carbohydrates, fats and protein. Each has their own role and play a vital part in our health and well-being.

Ensuring you have enough protein in your diet is crucial, particularly when you are trying to lose some fat and are in a calorie deficit. Muscle is hard to maintain and therefore when your body does not have the energy it needs (calorie deficit) it will lose fat AND muscle mass.

In order to try and preserve your muscle we need to ensure there is enough protein in your diet.

Great sources of protein include;

Lean meat and poultry
Eggs
Nuts and Seeds

Dairy products ie cheese, yoghurt and milk Beans and legumes (eg chickpeas and lentils) Tofu

I would recommend tracking your protein intake for a few days to see if you are consuming enough. When resistance training, I would recommend a minimum of 1.6g of protein per kg of body weight. If you are unable to consume enough protein from your food sources then you can supplement with a protein powder. There are lots out there so find one that you like or try some of the Hello Fit Diet Whey!

You can have it as a shake or add it to porridge, smoothies etc for a protein boost!