How Much Protein Do I Need?
Categories: Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Protein is an essential part of your diet. But how much protein should you be consuming each day?
According to the USDA Food Guide, adults should consume 91g of protein a day, based on a 2,000 calorie a day diet. Protein should make up approximately 18 percent of your total daily calories.
The USDA recommends eating 5.5 ounces of protein per day from the meats and beans group. Examples of a 1 ounce-equivalent include: 1 ounce of cooked lean meats, poultry or fish, 1 egg, ¼ cup cooked dry beans or tofu, 1 tbsp peanut butter or ½ oz nuts or seeds.
Vegetarians should pay special attention to their intake of protein, selecting only nuts, seeds and legumes from the meat and beans group (including eggs if desired). These figures are approximate. Those recovering from an illness, individuals who perform strenuous workouts on a regular basis and women who are nursing or pregnant may require slightly more protein.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Alyssa 10-23-2009 @ 5:04PM
91 grams of protein a day...I am nowhere near that amount with the foods I eat. I don't eat 2000 calories a day, so I could get away with a little less, but I also workout everyday. I have to supplement my diet with a protein powder. If anyone else is in this position, I recommend checking out BulkFoodsDirect.com. They offer a whey protein powder that is unflavored and easy to add into your diet. With 27 grams of protein per scoop, it helps me meet my goals.
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