Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRDIInfluencing FactorsToo Much ProteinToo Little ProteinA Meat-Free DietIncreasing Protein Intake
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
RDI
Influencing Factors
Too Much Protein
Too Little Protein
A Meat-Free Diet
Increasing Protein Intake
Proteinis an important part of every diet, especially in increasing or maintaining muscle mass. In general, it’s recommended that most adults get at least 10% to 35% of their daily calories from protein. For men, this may be about 56 grams (g) of protein a day, and for women, this may be about 46 g a day.
There are different protein needs for people who are older, are athletes, have kidney disease, or are pregnant.
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Daily Recommended Protein Chart
As with other nutrients, there is a government-recommended amount of protein that people should eat in a day. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is considered the baseline for how much protein people should eat in a day. Some people may also need more protein than recommended based on their age, weight, height, and activity level.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) publishes guidelines about protein goals. They recommend that most adults try to get between 10% and 35% of their daily calories from protein sources. For a 2,000-calorie diet, this would be between 200 and 700 calories from protein.Another way of looking at it is to aim for about 7 g of protein per 20 pounds of body weight.
The terms male and female are those used in the cited source.
Higher Protein FoodsSome examples of foods that provide about 7 g of protein include:Lean meats, poultry, or seafood: 1 ounceEggs: 1 eggCooked beans or tofu: 2 ouncesNut or seed butter: 1 tablespoonNuts or seeds: 4 ounces
Higher Protein Foods
Some examples of foods that provide about 7 g of protein include:Lean meats, poultry, or seafood: 1 ounceEggs: 1 eggCooked beans or tofu: 2 ouncesNut or seed butter: 1 tablespoonNuts or seeds: 4 ounces
Some examples of foods that provide about 7 g of protein include:
Incomplete Protein: Important Nutritional Value or Not a Concern?
Factors That Influence How Much Protein to Eat Daily
Dietary needs change in pregnancy, and the amount of recommended protein increases. In pregnancy, it may be recommended that people eat at least 60 g of protein a day. This could mean 20% to 25% of daily calories coming from protein sources.
One way of understanding protein needs in pregnancy is to calculate the grams of protein needed per kilogram (kg) of body weight (g/kg). The recommended amount is between 0.88 g/kg and 1.1 g/kg of protein. For example, a 68 kg (150-pound) pregnant person should aim for 60 to 75 g of protein daily.
More physically active people may also need more daily protein. Protein is important for creating and maintaining muscle mass.
One study recommends that activity level be considered incalculating protein needs.The authors of this study recommend people who exercise regularly or are athletes base their protein consumption on activity levels and body weight, as follows:
For older adults, it’s important to slow down the loss of muscle mass. One study suggests increased protein levels may help older adults prevent muscle loss and other common health problems. The recommended amount of protein in adults (over age 65) in this study was 1.2 g/kg per day (82 g for 150 pounds).
A higher protein diet may help in losing or maintainingweight. However, after weight loss, some people can’t maintain a high-protein diet for the long term. Weight might be gained back after about a year. The authors of one study advise people changing their diet for weight loss or maintenance take their whole lifestyle into account when choosing an eating plan.
A Complete Guide to a Low-Protein Diet
Effects of Too Much Protein
There is not a lot of good data on the health effects of very high-protein diets. Some cultures eat diets higher in protein than others. However, even in these cases, protein is still usually only about 40% of caloric intake.
For healthy people who are not athletes, eating a diet that includes 2 g/kg (136 g for 150 pounds) wasn’t found to have any negative effects. However, eating more than that could lead to some signs and symptoms such as:
Some people who live withchronic kidney diseasemay be advised to follow a lower-protein diet. One study looked at a diet of less than 0.8 g/kg per day for people with kidney disease. This daily lower protein intake might slow down kidney damage.
People with low kidney function should work with their healthcare team to understand the right balance of protein.The recommendations vary significantly depending on several factors, including whether a person is on dialysis.
A higher-protein diet has not been shown to have a negative effect on the heart.However, increasing plant protein intake was shown to lower the risks of death from heart disease or cancer in one study.
How a High-Protein Diet Helps You Lose Weight
Effects of Too Little Protein
Most people in the United States eat enough protein (including people who follow plant-based diets).However, food insecurity could lead to a lack of protein. Older adults might also be at risk for not getting enough protein because the need increases as people age.
Some of the signs and symptoms of too little protein include:
SarcopeniaSarcopenia is a condition that may occur in older people who lose too much muscle mass. It can also happen in younger people, but it is not common. Inactivity and a lack of nutrients can contribute to this problem. Preventing or treating it is important and can include increasing daily protein and calorie intake and an exercise program.
Sarcopenia
Sarcopenia is a condition that may occur in older people who lose too much muscle mass. It can also happen in younger people, but it is not common. Inactivity and a lack of nutrients can contribute to this problem. Preventing or treating it is important and can include increasing daily protein and calorie intake and an exercise program.
Getting Enough Protein on a Meat-Free Diet
Some people may want to includemore protein in their dietfromplant-based sources. Focusing on plant protein may mean eating more foods that contain soy (such as tofu), beans, peas, lentils, nuts, seeds, and whole grain products. For those who include dairy and eggs in their eating plan, those are also good sources of protein.
Some examples ofplant-based protein sourcesthat contain about 7 g of protein include:
Complete vs. Incomplete Proteins: Understanding the Difference
How to Up Protein Intake
If you want to increase your daily protein, you can do so in many ways. The first step may be understanding which foods contain protein, especially plant-based sources. The next step may be to eat fewer foods that are low in protein and focus on foods with a higher protein content.
Tracking nutrients in meals throughout the day will also help in understanding how much protein is eaten. Keeping a food log and adding up the amount of protein and total calories can guide hitting protein goals.
Here are some ideas to increase daily protein intake:
32 High-Protein Snacks That Are Healthy and Portable
Summary
The advice on how much protein people should eat every day varies. A person’s age, weight, and activity level are all important when considering how much protein is needed for overall health. Pregnant people, older adults, and athletes will want to focus on eating more daily protein.
18 Sources
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