How Much Protein Should I Eat?

How do I calculate how much protein I need?

How much protein do I need a day? – The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is a modest 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, or 0.36 grams per pound, The RDA is the amount of a nutrient you need to meet your basic nutritional requirements.

How to eat 140g of protein a day?

So in order to get to 140 grams, you would need to eat a lot of meat (12 ounces+) per day along with other high protein sources including eggs, whey protein, and possibly dairy (yogurt, milk).

How much protein per day to build muscle?

To increase muscle mass in combination with physical activity, it is recommended that a person that lifts weights regularly or is training for a running or cycling event eat a range of 1.2-1.7 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day, or 0.5 to 0.8 grams per pound of body weight.

Is 150g of protein a lot?

The Institute of Medicine has set the range of recommended protein intake at 10 to 35% of total calories for adults, or 50 to 175 grams of protein per day for a 2,000-calorie diet.

Is 140g of protein enough to Build muscle?

Protein For Muscle Gain, How Much Is Enough? – The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of protein for US adults is 0.8 g protein/kg body weight/day (g/kg/d), which is similar to the recommendations of the World Health Organisation of 0.83 g/kg/d. Bear in mind, however, this reflects the minimum amount of dietary protein required, and should not be interpreted as the recommended daily intake (Carbone & Pasiakon, 2019).

• This is especially true for people undertaking a resistance training programme, or any exercise for the matter.
• At this level, for a 70 kg person this equates to around 50g of protein per day.
• Let’s look at building muscle mass; the protein for muscle gain requirements are quite different.
• A Position Stand from the International Society of Sports Nutrition (Jager et al.2017) describes that for building and maintaining muscle mass, an overall daily protein intake in the range of 1.4–2.0 g/kg/d is required.

This represents 98-140g for a 70 kg person. Whilst there is some research that suggests even up to 2.2g/kg/d is potentially even more beneficial in weight lifters and body builders and maybe more so in those that are dieting, I don’t think we’ll go far wrong in using this 1.4–2.0 g/kg/d range to apply to rehab, perhaps opting for the latter end of the continuum.

What does 30 g of protein look like?

4-5 ounces of meat = a large chicken breast or fish fillet, or a medium-sized steak or chop (also at least 5-10g of fat) Four ounces of meat is about the size of a deck of cards.1 ½ cups of low-fat cottage cheese or greek yogurt.5-6 whole eggs.

Is 200g of protein enough for muscle gain?

How Much Protein is Needed to Build Muscle? – A common target for protein is to get 1.5g of protein for every kilogram of lean mass. So if you weigh 100kg and have 20% body fat, your lean mass would be 80kg (with 20kg of fat mass). That would require 120g of protein per day.

This is a good goal for people who don’t exercise, and aren’t interested in building muscle. that if you want to build muscle, higher protein intakes of 2.1-3.1g per kg of lean mass are ideal. That may not sound like much of a difference, but it can quickly add up: If you are 100kg with 20% body fat, then you would need to eat between 160g and 240g of protein per day.

Here’s a formula to calculate how much protein you need. #protein #nutrition #diet #health

That’s where getting your whey protein shakes (or vegan) can come in handy. Even so, most regular people would struggle to hit 240g of protein per day. Also, finding your lean mass weight is out of reach for most people. A better way of doing things is to forget about lean mass/fat mass and just use your actual bodyweight.

What happens if you lift weights but don t eat enough protein?

Lifting and doing strength training without adequate nutrition, especially without enough protein, can actually lead to loss of muscle tissue. Furthermore, if you aren’t eating right you won’t have the energy to do the workouts that lead to muscle gain.

Can you gain muscle without protein?

What Happens If You Lift Weights But Don’t Eat Enough Protein? – If you’re looking to bulk up, get toned or just improve your health, it’s necessary that you follow a high quality diet and meet your body’s demand for essential amino acids. If you don’t eat enough protein, it can lead to health problems and further problems with performance. Some signs of a low protein diet could include:

Fatigue Weight gain Muscle loss Low immunity

If you are not getting adequate amounts of protein in your diet, it can have a drastic negative effect on the results of your weightlifting. Your body needs protein to build and repair tissues, so if you aren’t eating enough, your muscles won’t have the material they need to grow.

You could feel “punch drunk” after working out, your arms and other muscles might ache more than usual, and your body may even feel generally weaker. A low protein diet can also hinder your weight-loss goals, because more muscle means a higher metabolism, which means it takes more calories to maintain the same weight.

If you are not getting enough protein in your diet, you will have less lean tissue, so it won’t take as many calories to maintain your weight. If an insufficient amount of protein is consumed, the only macronutrient with which you may have a caloric surplus is carbohydrates.

What does 200 g of protein look like?

Did you know what 200g of protein looks like? Let’s find out. One steak, that’s about 60g 200g of chicken breast, another 60g 2 scoops of protein, that’s 50g and 5 eggs, which is 30g of protein. Steak, chicken, protein powder, eggs, all of this, 200g of protein.

How much protein do I need by age?

How much protein do I need? – The amount of protein that the human body requires daily is dependent on many conditions, including overall energy intake, growth of the individual, and physical activity level. It is often estimated based on body weight, as a percentage of total caloric intake (10-35%), or based on age alone.0.8g/kg of body weight is a commonly cited recommended dietary allowance (RDA).

• This value is the minimum recommended value to maintain basic nutritional requirements, but consuming more protein, up to a certain point, maybe beneficial, depending on the sources of the protein.
• The recommended range of protein intake is between 0.8 g/kg and 1.8 g/kg of body weight, dependent on the many factors listed above.

People who are highly active, or who wish to build more muscle should generally consume more protein. Some sources suggest consuming between 1.8 to 2 g/kg for those who are highly active. The amount of protein a person should consume, to date, is not an exact science, and each individual should consult a specialist, be it a dietitian, doctor, or personal trainer, to help determine their individual needs.

	Protein Needed (grams/day)
Age 1 – 3	13
Age 4 – 8	19
Age 9 – 13	34
Age 14 – 18 (Girls)	46
Age 14 – 18 (Boys)	52
Age 19 – 70+ (Women)	46
Age 19 – 70+ (Men)	56

Extra Protein Requirements for Pregnancy and Lactation

	Safe Intake (grams / day)	Additional Energy Requirement (kJ/day)	Protein : energy ratio
Pregnancy trimester 1	1	375	0.04
Pregnancy trimester 2	10	1,200	0.11
Pregnancy trimester 3	31	1,950	0.23
Lactation First 6 months	19	2,800	0.11
Lactation After 6 months	13	1,925	0.11

How much protein does a 60 kg man need to build muscle?

For example, for a 60 kg man with moderate physical activity, the requirement would be 48 – 60 gm protein per day. The requirement may also go up to 1.8 gm /kg body weight or more (in some cases up to 3 gm /kg body weight) if an individual is involved in rigorous fitness or sports regimen.

How to eat 200 grams of protein a day?

How to Eat 200 Grams of Protein a Day: Eating to Build Muscle Getting enough protein can transform your physique—and your life Looking to get swole? Trying to hold onto muscle while you train for a marathon? Whatever your fitness goals are, you’ll need to get enough protein in your diet to achieve them.

1. Protein is absolutely essential for muscle growth.
2. If you’re an ambitious gym rat, you might be aiming to put back as much as 200 grams of protein per day.
3. This is harder than it sounds.
4. So how do you pull it off? Look no further.
5. We’ve put together a guide to help you hit your daily protein goal—whether it’s 50, 100, or 200 grams per day.

Keep reading to learn how to eat to build muscle.

• Choose high-protein foods like meats, fish, dairy, eggs, nuts, beans, and soy products.
• Use supplements like protein powders and nutrition bars for quick sources of extra protein.
• to ensure you’re getting enough protein. Calorie trackers and meal planning apps can make this easier.
• The average healthy adult needs 46-90 grams of protein per day. Athletes and people who lift weights should consume 1.1-1.7 grams per kg of body weight.

1. 1 Choose high-quality protein sources. To consume 200g of protein per day, you’ll need to eat high-protein foods like lean meats, fish, dairy, eggs, nuts, beans, and soy products. Opt for high-protein snacks during the day, like plain yogurt or a handful of nuts. If you’re not sure how much protein is in a certain food, try Googling it or looking it up in the,
   • Specific high-protein foods include beef, turkey, chicken, pork, fish, eggs, edamame, soy milk, tofu, lentils, kidney beans, peanut butter, almond milk, greek yogurt, cheese, whole grain cereal, quinoa, and pasta.
   • Many restaurants and fast food chains offer high-protein menu options. Eating a high-protein diet doesn’t require cooking everything yourself.
   • Use protein powder for quick and easy protein. The powder is mixed with water, cow’s milk, or nondairy milk, and drunk like a milkshake.
   • Try protein bars for an easy snack on the go.
2. 2 Plan meals in advance and incorporate protein into every meal. The goal is to eat enough protein with each meal so that your daily intake totals 200g. Pay attention to food labels, especially protein content and serving size. Measure your food carefully to get accurate estimates of how much protein you’re consuming. Advertisement
3. 3 Track your protein intake throughout the day. Use meal planning apps and calorie trackers like and, They have huge databases with different foods and nutrition information, plus some features like goal setting for weight loss and muscle gain.
   • Input your calories and macros for each meal and snack. You can input everything in advance if you’ve planned your meals.
4. 4 Split your daily protein intake over 3-5 meals.200 grams of protein is a lot, even if you split it up over breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you find that eating so much chicken, fish or tofu at once is too much for your stomach, try eating five smaller meals instead.
   • Certain foods are more gentle on your digestion than others. If whey protein powder and dairy products cause you trouble, try vegan powders and other non-dairy sources of protein.
   • It may take time to get used to eating so much protein. Pay attention to your body and adjust your protein intake as needed.
   • Some kinds of protein, such as soy, have a processing rate of 40 grams per hour. If you try to intake more than that in a shorter period of time, that remainder generally will go to fat storage or waste products.

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1. 1 Example Breakfast: An egg and cheese omelet with hash browns is a classic high-protein breakfast. Other high-protein options include sausage, bacon, black beans, or yogurt.
   • Use egg whites for a healthier omelet that’s lower in cholesterol.
2. 2 Example Lunch: A tuna sandwich is a great source of mid-day protein. Tuna is one of the highest-protein foods you’ll ever eat. Add mayo and lettuce for extra flavor—or even a dab of mustard, if you’re looking for a kick.
   • Firm tofu is a great vegan alternative to fish and other meats. Sear it with spices and coat it with vegan mayo for a bolder taste and great texture.
3. 3 Example Dinner: Penne a la vodka with chicken breast makes a flavorful, high-protein meal. Chicken breast is both high in protein and low in calories. It also has a neutral taste, which means it can be enjoyed with almost any meal since it won’t clash with whatever else you’re eating (unlike tuna, for example).
   • Beans, lentils and tofu are also high in protein and go great with many dishes. They might be high in calories, so measure your portions carefully.
4. 4 Example Snack: Tofu salads and plain Greek yogurt are easy grab-and-go snacks available in many grocery stores. They’re protein-rich and much healthier than many common snack foods, like candy or potato chips.
   • Add a little fresh fruit or granola to give your Greek yogurt a sweeter taste.

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1. 1 Your daily protein intake depends on your fitness goals. It can also vary depending on your weight, age, and other factors such as pregnancy. A general rule is that 10-35% of your calories should come from protein. For a 2000 calorie diet, this comes out to 50-175 grams of protein per day.
   • The average adult under 40 needs around 46-56 grams of protein per day. Adults over 40 should aim for 75-90 grams to combat muscle loss from aging.
   • A person who is pregnant or breastfeeding should consume around 60 grams per day.
   • Athletes and people who exercise regularly should consume 1.1-1.5 grams per kg of bodyweight. For a 200 lb (91 kg) person, this works out to 100-136 grams.
   • People who lift weights or do other strength training should aim for 1.2-1.7 grams per kg of body weight. For a 200 lb (91 kg) person, this works out to 110-154 grams.
2. 2 It’s possible to have too much protein. The upper limit is roughly 2 grams of protein per kg of bodyweight. While excess protein isn’t harmful in and of itself, many sources of protein such as eggs, meat, and dairy are high in calories and cholesterol. Consuming too much protein and not enough carbohydrates and fats can also lead to malnutrition, since all three macros play important roles in your health.
   • A 150 lb person should have no more than 136 grams of protein per day.
   • A 200 lb person should have no more than 180 grams per day.
   • A 250 lb person should have no more than 225 grams per day.

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Question How do you know if you’re not eating enough protein? Certified Personal Trainer Monica Morris is an ACE (American Council on Exercise) Certified Personal Trainer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 15 years of fitness training experience, Monica started her own physical training practice and gained her ACE Certification in 2017. Her workouts emphasize proper warm-ups, cool-downs, and stretching techniques. There’s a wide variety of issues you’ll have if you don’t have enough protein, like injury and weight gain. You’ll also become hungry more often, and you may notice that you have drier nails and split ends.

Ask a Question Advertisement Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about working on your diet, check out our in-depth with, Co-authored by: Certified Personal Trainer This article was co-authored by and by wikiHow staff writer,,

• Monica Morris is an ACE (American Council on Exercise) Certified Personal Trainer based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• With over 15 years of fitness training experience, Monica started her own physical training practice and gained her ACE Certification in 2017.
• Her workouts emphasize proper warm-ups, cool-downs, and stretching techniques.

This article has been viewed 121,058 times.

• Co-authors: 4
• Updated: June 29, 2023
• Views: 121,058

Categories: Medical Disclaimer The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 121,058 times. : How to Eat 200 Grams of Protein a Day: Eating to Build Muscle

How to get 180g of protein a day?

Here are some ideas for getting 180 grams of protein each day: Include protein-rich foods : Include protein-rich foods such as chicken breast, turkey, fish, lean beef, eggs, tofu, beans, lentils, and low-fat dairy products in your diet.