This delicious snack is fun to make, fun to eat, and has loads of flavor and protein!
Functions of Protein
Have you ever heard that protein is important for our muscles? It sure is! Protein is the building block of our muscles and has an important role in growing and maintaining our muscles.
Protein not only helps us build muscle, it also has many other important functions. Those include:
- Keeping our body tissues healthy, including nearly every body part in the human body (hair, skin, nails, organs, muscles, etc.)
- Powers chemical reactions in the body
- Helps with the feeling of fullness, also known as satiety
To learn more about protein’s roles, as well as it’s impact on health and disease visit Harvard’s website page on protein.
Sources of Protein
Protein has two main sources which are plant based and animal based.
Animal based protein sources include:
- Poultry
- Beef
- Lamb
- Egg
- Dairy products
- Pork
- Fish
Plant based sources include:
- Nuts and seeds
- Beans
- Peas
- Lentils
- Soy products
Having a variety of protein foods is important for our health. To learn more about food sources of protein visit MyPlate’s protein article.
Exercise and Protein
Protein builds muscle, and muscle keeps us moving!
Staying active is so important for our health because it keeps our bodies functioning properly. Exercise helps us to maintain a healthy weight, improve our cardiovascular system, improve or maintain bone density, benefits our mental health and so much more!
MyPlate recommends that kids get at least 1 hour of activity a day. Here are some activity ideas for kids:
- Backyard games
- Walking to school
- Riding a bike
- Playing on a play ground
- Participating in community sports
There are endless possibilites of creative ways kids can be active. To learn more visit our Instagram, Facebook or YouTube and join Captain Create with Your Choice Your Move!
Recipe
I hope that you enjoy this meatball bite recipe as you incorporate movement into your daily activities!
-Captain Create
