The Beginning of My Protein Obsession
In high school, I was obsessed with gaining muscle mass, which led me to believe that without a large amount of protein, I could not achieve my goals. Monitoring every gram of protein and constantly fearing their deficiency accompanied me for many years. This fear not only affected my approach to strength training but also my relationship with food. For a long time, I believed that the only way to maintain strength and muscle was through a high intake of animal proteins.
What Does the General Science Say About Protein and Our Health
Dietary protein plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health, particularly for muscle maintenance and immune support. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein varies based on activity levels, with 0.8 g per kg of body weight recommended for inactive adults, while those engaging in regular exercise may require 1.0 to 1.6 g per kg to support muscle protein synthesis (Wu, 2016; Morton et al., 2017). For vegetarians, plant-based sources like legumes, nuts, and seeds can provide sufficient protein, countering concerns about amino acid deficiencies (Mariotti & Gardner, 2019). Additionally, older adults require more protein—around 1.0 to 1.2 g per kg of body weight—to counteract age-related metabolic changes and support functionality (Bauer et al., 2013). Research also indicates that higher protein intake may positively impact bone health, enhancing lumbar spine bone mineral density (Shams-White et al., 2017). Thus, whether through animal or plant sources, ensuring adequate protein intake is essential for health and well-being across all ages.
My Time in the Gym
The closer I was to the fitness industry, the stronger my fear was. Everything in the gym looked over-exaggerated. You want big muscles that are not natural to our bodies? You need to push your limits over the top, and that goes for protein and other supplements as well. When I didn’t have enough protein during the day, especially during my travels, I became anxious.
Transition to Street Workout
Later, I discovered street workout, which seemed more aligned with our natural rhythm. At the same time, it appeared that the protein pressure was not as present, as the goal was not to have the biggest muscles but simply to do the trick and have fun.
Discovering New Lifestyle
My travel to India gave me a new insight into many life aspects. One of them was a lifestyle where we eat only or mostly fruits, called fruitarianism. The first time I heard about it, I was shocked. “And what about protein?” I asked myself, feeling the fear present in my whole body.
Transition into a New Lifestyle
The fear was strong, but my passion for a healthy lifestyle was even stronger, and I believed that eating only fruits could be my way of living, as it was more aligned with my long-term goal of being happy and healthy rather than the ego pursuit of bigger, unnatural muscles.
After the Transition
When I started to eat fruits, my body began to go through a strong detox. I was weak and lost a lot of muscle mass. I still thought about protein, but this question started to appear more from others than from me. As my ego diminished, I began to fully trust this new lifestyle, as my body felt lighter, more present, and alive.
Harmony of Body and Mind
Today, after five years of being a fruitarian, or raw till 4, it seems like I found the right balance. The fear is still present in me, but I have achieved the same strength as when I was consuming animal protein and supplements, and I achieved that by eating mostly fruits.
My experience tells me that if our goal is to achieve a strong body and be in harmony with our mind, there is no need to focus on protein. We can fully relax into the lifestyle that suits us and open ourselves to more living foods such as salads and fruits. It seems that new research could be conducted, and if not by scientists, then by individuals like me. We can slowly but steadily dissolve the ever-present fear of a lack of protein in our consciousness.
References
- Wu, G. (2016). Amino acids: metabolism, functions, and nutrition. Amino Acids, 48(1), 1-12.
- Morton, R. W., Murphy, K. T., McKellar, S. R., et al. (2017). A single bout of resistance exercise increases myofibrillar protein synthesis and the expression of markers of muscle hypertrophy in young men. The Journal of Physiology, 595(4), 1089-1100.
- Mariotti, F., & Gardner, C. D. (2019). Dietary protein and vegetarian diets: a review of the evidence. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 38(4), 337-346.
- Bauer, J., Cruz-Jentoft, A. J., & Figueiredo, C. (2013). Protein intake and sarcopenia in older adults: a systematic review. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 14(10), 759-763.
- Shams-White, M. M., et al. (2017). Dietary protein intake and bone health: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of Nutrition, 147(9), 1552-1560.