Top 10 Reasons to Reconsider a Long-term High-Protein Diet

Top 10 Reasons to Reconsider a Long-term High-Protein Diet

1.  Your body, specifically your brain and your heart, needs at least 130g of carbohydrate daily in order to function optimally.

2.  Eating large amounts of animal-proteins may be high in saturated fat, potentially contributing to elevated lipid levels and risk for heart disease.

3.  High-protein diets may not provide adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals that we tend to find in plant-based foods such as whole grains and fruits.

4.  Animal-proteins do not provide fiber, phytochemicals, or antioxidants.

5.  High-protein diets can lead to loss of calcium through the urine. 

6.  Excessive intake of red meat may increase risk for colon cancer.

7.  High-protein diets may be stressful on the kidneys, especially a concern for those with diabetes or kidney failure.

8.  High-protein diets increase risk of dehydration by increasing urine output.

9.  Inadequate carb intake causes your body to break down muscle to make glucose, potentially leading to a loss of lean body mass.

10.  Variety is the spice of life.

Reference:  Wardlaw, G.M. and Smith, A.M.  Contemporary Nutrition.  9^th Ed.  New York: McGraw Hill, 2013.