What Is In This Article:
- Why Protein Intake Matters
- Can You Consume Too Much Protein?
- The Recommended Protein Intake Per Day For You
Why Protein Intake Matters
Dependant on your sport or goal, eating enough protein is not just important for your improvements and gains, but it is vital for the human body to maintain and survive. Protein holds benefits such as muscle growth and repair, increase of immune function, muscle support, enzyme and hormone production & also can be used as an energy source. The importance can not be questioned... but can you eat too much protein? Find out Next
Can You Eat Too Much Protein?
Yes, yes you can. This is a simple answer, as too much of almost everything is harmful! However, some people see that more protein equals more muscle, and consume too much, whether that be processed or natural foods... It is not good for you! Too much protein intake can cause kidney strain, dehydration and even digestive issues... with some meats being very hard to digest if consumed heavily. Of course, your protein consumption will depend on how much physical activity and exercise you compete, but you should not over-do it like many athletes have!
How Much Protein Should You Eat a Day?
The amount can depend on who you are, how much you weigh and your physical requirements, which is why you use these guidelines to figure it out:
Average Adult:
- Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA): 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. So a person weighing 70kg would need 56g of protein!
Athletes and Highly Active Individuals:
- Endurance Athletes: 1.2 to 1.4 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.
- Strength Athletes: 1.6 to 2.0 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.
Older Adults:
- Increased Needs: 1.0 to 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight to help maintain muscle mass and strength.
Pregnant and Lactating Women:
- Increased Needs: Around 1.1 to 1.3 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.
- Example: A pregnant woman weighing 70 kg might need 77 to 91 grams of protein per day.
As much we would like to work it out completely for you, we dont know you and how much you need, so find out what category you fit in to, and work it out from there!