Protein is one of the most vital of all the basic nutrients for your body.  They are complex molecules made up of building blocks called amino acids; to put it simply, protein is your body’s building material.  You need this nutrient to provide your body with the materials it needs to build, repair, and maintain your lean muscle.  Lean muscle is not the only thing protein builds and maintains, it is also responsible for maintaining tissues, enzymes, hormones, skin, nails, hair and much more.

You want to make sure that your protein comes from the right source and in the right amounts.  Some proteins, mostly from animal sources, contain a high amount of saturated fat, which will not only hamper your weight loss plan but it can have a detrimental effect on your health.  High quality protein sources include some of the following:

o  Lean Meats
o  Fish
o  White meat chicken
o  Turkey
o  Eggs
o  Legumes
o  Beans