(BPT) You’ve seen the ads or worked out next to that person in the gym, the “cut” weightlifter swilling a protein concoction or sharing recovery formulas with a buddy, and wondered if it’s something for you. The fact is protein is important for everyone who is doing any form of exercise — going for runs, playing sports, practicing yoga — not just bodybuilders. Leading professional sports dietitians from professional football, baseball and cycling lay out the connection between protein and physical activity.

Why protein?
Athletes and generally active people alike need more nutrients than people who do not exercise regularly. These nutrients include carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals and, yes, protein. Protein is vital for post-workout recovery as it helps repair, build and strengthen muscles and tissues, plus supports the immune system to defend the body against illness.

“When working with athletes, we are constantly trying to make sure they are consuming enough protein to help their bodies recover properly, and to stay healthy and lean,” said Bryan Snyder, director of nutrition. “Protein is extremely important for anyone leading an active lifestyle. Not getting enough can increase the risk of injury, and if you do get injured, it’s going to prevent how long it takes to get back at it.”

When you exercise, you are effectively tearing and breaking muscle fibers apart, which then need to be repaired by the body, which requires protein.

“For muscles to optimally recover, to rebuild fully, we need to provide those muscles with amino acids, the building blocks of protein, in strategic times and amounts,” Scott Sehnert, director of sports performance and sports dietitian, explains. “A piece of advice I give to anyone active is that, often, they need quality protein to really help their muscles recover.”

What kind of protein?
As Sehnert alludes, not all protein sources are the same. There are two types: complete and incomplete. Complete proteins are foods that contain all of the nine essential amino acids, which must be consumed in the diet through foods such as meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. Plant-based complete sources include soy, quinoa, chickpeas and pistachios. Incomplete proteins come from vegetables, fruits, beans, and other nuts. The diet pros recommend nutrient-dense, complete protein.

“Regular complete protein intake is important both because protein is not easily stored in the body and because it can only be ingested through food. The body can’t manufacture those essential amino acids on its own,” said Joey Blake, head team nutritionist.

Jordan Mazur, Director of Performance Nutrition, agrees. “A good diet guideline overall is to choose foods that are nutrient dense. Pistachios are a good example. Not only are they a source of complete protein, but also contain powerful antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and aid in muscle recovery.”

How much protein?
Becci Twombley, sports dietitian for the Los Angeles Angels, has a recommendation on the optimal amount of protein for people leading an active lifestyle. “To fight muscle loss and cell damage, try to get at least 20g of high-quality protein at each meal. High-quality proteins are complete proteins, or those that contain all of the essential amino acids and are minimally processed. If you aren’t getting enough at mealtime, go for healthy, high-protein snacks.”

Meat, eggs and fish might be the obvious choices at mealtime, but Nigel Mitchell, head of nutrition for the EF Education First pro cycling team and author of The Plant-based Cyclist, said there are bodily benefits to plant-based protein sources even if one isn’t vegan or a vegetarian. “Adding pistachios, soy or quinoa a few times a day can aid in digestive health and in decreasing stress hormones as well. Whatever your taste in protein sources, make sure you get enough for your muscles and overall health. A physically active man weighing approximately 175 lbs. would need 96 - 128g of protein per day. A physically active woman weighing approximately 150 pounds would need 82 - 109g.”