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Your support makes all the difference.<\/strong>Read more<\/p>\n The human body needs protein. Proteins<\/a> carry out countless functions inside cells and they are vital for the growth, repair and maintenance of muscles, bones and skin. And with food companies rolling out high-protein versions of a huge range of foods, including milkshakes and granola bars \u2014 and even pancakes and popcorn \u2014 you might be tempted to think you need to add more to your diet. <\/p>\n But nutritionists say that if you are getting enough food, you are probably getting enough protein.<\/p>\n \u201cAdding protein to foods is very beneficial \u2014 for the profits of that food,\u201d said Federica Amati, nutrition lead at Imperial College London<\/a> and head nutritionist at the health science company ZOE. \u201cIt is not based on health, it is not backed by science.\u201d<\/p>\n The amount of protein you need depends on your age, weight and personal nutritional needs and it is especially important for children and older adults to make sure they eat protein-rich foods. Here\u2019s what to know about how much protein you need and how to ensure you’re getting it from the best sources.<\/p>\n Protein is so critical that your body knows how to make it <\/p>\n Protein is a macronutrient, or a basic kind of food like fat or carbohydrates that your body needs to function. There are thousands of proteins, assembled from smaller molecules called amino acids \u2014 most of which can be made by the body. <\/p>\n \u201cBecause protein is so important, our body has adapted really well to making sure that it can reassemble and change the building blocks of these amino acids to make sure we have what we need, as long as we\u2019re eating adequate amounts of food,\u201d Amati said.<\/p>\n Still, the body can’t make all the amino acids, so some must come from food. <\/p>\n If you aren’t starving, you are probably getting plenty of protein <\/p>\n