You’ve heard the saying, “The more you do, the more you get done.” Every year, I like to load up my plate with as many projects as possible, then I tackle them one by one until I’ve cleaned my plate. But I don’t just start consuming these tasks at random—I always take care of the important ones first.

The same approach applies to my meals—protein comes first.

Why Protein Should Be the First Thing on Your Plate

Protein translates to “priority” or “of greatest importance,” and it should be the center of every meal. Take care of your protein requirements first because they are the most important, then you can finish the rest of the meal.

A moderate protein intake is best. Don’t overdo it! There’s a rate at which muscle protein is broken down and built up. Of course, there are ways to influence that rate, but your system can only go so fast. Piling up more and more raw materials at the start of the process doesn’t necessarily increase production at the end.

In fact, it can increase the amount of material that’s wasted, and even worse, it may cause you to become efficient at “wasting away” precious material. Dr. Ron Rosedale has discussed this process, where the body can adapt to a high-protein intake by breaking down body protein, including muscle!

Too much of a good thing can be bad, and protein is no exception. The amount of carbohydrates and fat you consume daily will vary depending on several factors, but for optimal health and performance, a moderate protein intake spread evenly throughout the day is best. Just remember—protein is the priority—eat it first at every meal.

It’s no different when it comes to your daily tasks. The most important ones get done first. Tomorrow, we’ll take a look at how to quickly regain control when you feel overwhelmed by tasks.