Daily protein intake: How much protein should you have in a day?

Daily Protein Intake: How Much Protein Should You Eat in a Day?
Food full of protein (Image via Pexels)

Protein is an essential macronutrient that plays a key role in maintaining overall health and wellness.

It's a key component of cells in the human body and is essential for building and repairing tissues, producing enzymes and hormones, and supporting immune function. Protein is also important for building and maintaining muscle mass, making it especially important for athletes and individuals who engage in regular exercise.

So, how much protein should you be consuming daily? The answer to that can vary depending on many factors, including age, sex, bodyweight, activity level and overall health status. In this article, we will explore the topic of daily protein intake in more detail and provide guidelines on how much protein you should be consuming each day to support optimal health and wellness.


Recommended daily allowance for daily protein intake

The recommended daily allowance for protein is the amount of protein that's considered to be sufficient to meet the needs of most of the population. The RDA for protein is currently set at 0.8 grams per kg of bodyweight per day for adults. That means a person who weighs 70 kg (154 pounds) needs to consume approximately 56 grams of protein per day to meet the RDA.

It's important to note that the RDA for protein is a general guideline and may not be appropriate for eveyone. For example, athletes and individuals who engage in regular exercise may require more protein to support muscle repair and growth, while older adults may require more protein to maintain muscle mass and prevent age-related muscle loss.


Factors that influence daily protein requirements

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Image via Pexels

Apart from age, sex, bodyweight and activity level, there are several other factors that can influence a person's daily protein requirements. These include:

Muscle mass: Individuals with more muscle mass may require more protein to support muscle repair and growth.

Health status: People with certain medical conditions, like kidney disease, may need to limit their protein intake.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Pregnant and breastfeeding women require more protein to support the growth and development of their baby.

Vegan or vegetarian diets: People who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet may need to consume more protein to ensure that they meet their daily requirements.


How to calculate your daily protein needs?

To calculate your daily protein needs, you can use the following formula:

Body weight in kg x 0.8 grams of protein per kg of bodyweight = Daily protein needs in grams

For example, a person who weighs 70 kg need sto consume 56 grams of protein per day (70 x 0.8 = 56).

If you're an athlete or engage in regular exercise, you may need to consume more protein to support muscle repair and growth. In this case, you can use the following formula to calculate your daily protein need:

Body weight in kg x 1.2-1.7 grams of protein per kilogram of bodyweight = Daily protein needs in grams

For example, a person who weighs 70 kg and engages in regular exercise may need to consume between 84-119 grams of protein per day (70 x 1.2 = 84 and 70 x 1.7 = 119).


Tips for meeting your daily protein intake

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Image via Pexels

Meeting your daily protein needs can be a challenge, especially if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. Here are some tips for increasing your protein intake and ensuring that you meet your daily requirements:

#1 Eat a variety of protein-rich foods: Include a variety of protein-rich foods in your diet, like lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds.

#2 Incorporate protein into every meal and snack: Make sure to include a source of protein in every meal and snack to help meet your daily requirements.

#3 Choose high-quality sources of protein: Opt for high-quality sources of protein, like lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products. These sources of protein provide all of the essential amino acids the body needs.

#4 Consider protein supplements: If you're having difficulty meeting your daily protein needs through food alone, consider incorporating a protein supplement, like whey protein or plant-based protein powder, in your diet.

#5 Spread out your protein intake: Aim to spread out your protein intake evenly throughout the day to help optimize muscle repair and growth.

#6 Don't forget about carbs and fats: While protein is important for overall health and wellness, it's important to also include a balance of carbohydrates and fats in your diet to support energy level and overall health.


Protein is an essential macronutrient that plays a critical role in maintaining overall health and wellness.

To ensure that you meet your daily protein needs, it's important to include a variety of protein-rich foods in your diet and to spread out your protein intake evenly throughout the day. If you're having difficulty meeting your daily protein needs through food alone, consider incorporating a protein supplement in your diet.

By prioritizing protein intake and following the aforementioned tips, you can help support optimal health and wellness and ensure that your body has the nutrients it needs to function at its best.

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