Did you know that protein is the “building block” of muscle. And to hit longer drives you need a higher level golf-specific strength (and flexibility) to achieve it? Today’s topic is going to be protein and your diet. How important it is and how it can not only help you build your golf muscle strength and power, but lose weight at the same time!

Your Muscles Are Made Up Of Protein And Water

Increased muscle mass is critical for more strength, power and injury prevention. Because muscle is made up of protein and water, you need lean protein sources (fish, chicken, tuna, egg whites) regularly in your daily eating.

The daily recommendations for protein are way too low! They say the average person should have .4 grams of protein per pound of body weight. Thankfully research shows that people engaging in strength training need up to 1 gram per pound. I would like to make a compromise and have .6 grams of protein per pound of body weight.

So if you are a 180 pound man that is strength training at least 2-3 times a week, you would need 108 grams of lean protein daily to maintain and increase your lean muscle mass. Make sense?

To give you an idea of how much protein that is, it is like having three 4oz. chicken breasts a day. Not much is it. Think of having the equivalent 3 times a day and you’re good (if you weigh 180 that is).

Balance Energy With A Protein And Carbs

Have you ever noticed when you have a high carbohydrate meal by itself you end up hungrier shortly after the meal? This is because carbs are sugars. So if you eat a carb-only meal, get ready for the binge for more carbs coming up.

The solution is having a protein with every carb for every meal you eat during the day! Protein breaks down slower in the body, giving you prolonged energy, and the carb gives you more immediate energy, so it’s a perfect balance for EVERY meal you eat.

Control Hunger

A huge benefit of protein is controlling hunger, making your weight loss goals easier to achieve and sustain. As mentioned earlier, protein stays with you longer, so you won’t get hungry as often.

Protein also boosts your metabolic (calorie-burning) rate three times as much as carbohydrate for several hours. Protein also incinerates more fat by slowing the digestion of carbohydrates. So eat those proteins !!

Balance Your Nutrition Bars

Many nutrition bars are high in carbs and very low in protein. Make sure to get a bar with a good balance. You’ll see most of them higher in carbs than protein, and that’s oky as long as there is lets say at least 10-15 grams of protein per bar.

Protein Sources

If you read my post on protein shakes, this is one of the most perfect examples of getting 20-30 grams of protein in a simple shake. Breakfast can be eggs (but preferrably eggwhites) that are cage-free and brown. Lunch can be a tuna or turkey (real turkey not processed) sandwich on whole wheat. And dinner can be fish, chicken, tuna and even beans.

I hope you now realize the importance of protein for increased muscle mass, strength, weight loss, energy, AND LONGER DRIVES !

If reading this article (post) has motivated you, and you want to drop a few pounds (or maybe a lot of pounds) easily, take a look at my Golfers Guide To Weight Loss ebook. This is NOT a diet book, but sound and easy tips, techniques and advice on how golfers can lose weight and keep it off forever!

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