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| in high-fiber foods. (You'll learn more about the benefits of fiber later in this chapter.) Concentrate on unprocessed foods such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. |
| You don't need to go so far as to eliminate all high-cholesterol foods from your diet; many of them are also high in essential nutrients. You're better off watching out for cholesterol-raising saturated fats, which are found in manybut not allof the same foods. |
| Protein Facts |
| Protein provides your body with nine essential amino acids, chemical compounds that serve as the building blocks, repairers, and regenerators of muscle and tissue, necessary for a strong, healthy body. Your body contains anywhere from 10,000 to 50,000 kinds of protein; everything from hair to skin to blood to enzymes and hormones is made of the stuff. But beware of those who tell you that you can't get enough protein in your diet: consuming more than your body needs is not only unnecessary but potentially harmful. |
| How Much Do You Need? |
| It's essential to consume protein daily because your body cannot store it the way it stores fats. It's pretty easy to get enough in a basic, well-balanced diet, and in fact most Americans already consume more than enough. Nutritionists generally warn against eating more than the Recommended Daily Allowance50 grams for women over twenty-five, and 63 grams for men over twenty-fivebecause many protein-rich foods are high in fat, and high- |
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