How Much Protein Do I Need?

The answer to this question depends on a variety of variables. Are you a man or a woman? Are you an adult, a teenager, or a child?

Each gender and age group require different levels of protein in order to be healthy.

In addition, if you are someone who is very active, you might need more protein than someone who isn’t active.

If you are a very large man, you will need more protein than a very small man. The question of how much protein you need is subjective!

You can find an easy step-by-step method for determining your recommended daily allowance of protein in this article from Livestrong.com.

But remember that exercise is also an important component of your overall health. If you are looking for an exercise routine, look no further. Go PRO today for access to certified personal trainers, workout plans, and more.

What Are the Recommended Protein Amounts for Each Category of People?

This is the question you should be asking!

It is important to note the information provided next was developed by the USDA with the average weight and height of each category of people in mind.

If you are smaller than average or larger than average, you will want to adjust your dosage accordingly.

First of all, the categories developed by the USDA for protein intake are adolescents under the age of 13, girls ages 14 to 18, boys ages 14 to 18, women over the age of 18, and men over the age of 18.

There is no category for people over 50.

• Men require more protein to be healthy than women do – Men are typically larger than women and their metabolism tends to run faster than women’s as they age.
• The protein requirements for men over the age of 18 is about 56 grams a day –For a woman, the protein requirement is about 46 grams a day.
• The protein requirements for boys ages 14 to 18 is about 52 grams a day – For girls in this age group, the requirement is about 46 grams a day.
• Adolescents under the age of 14 only need 32 grams of protein per day – Once they turn 14 they are divided into their individual categories.

With all this being said, you may need to make some adjustments based on your activity level and your size.

A good rule of thumb is to not take more than 73 grams of protein each day.

In fact, this is the maximum that is deemed safe by the USDA.

Is There Such a Thing as Having Too Much Protein?

The short answer to this is, yes. The body can only absorb so much protein and then it just stops. At this point, you need to ask yourself, where is that extra protein going?

In this case, it is heading to the liver, where it could potentially cause damage.

Most people don’t associate protein with liver damage. However, recent studies now show that too much protein has a negative effect on the liver.

That is why it is so important for you to keep your protein doses at the recommended levels.

What Are the Best Protein Supplements?

One of the best things about protein supplements is that they have been around for so long that supplement companies have nearly perfected their formulas.

Probably the only thing you will want to consider is choosing a whole-foods supplement rather than a supplement that contains fillers.

Protein supplements come in a variety of tasty flavors as well as having the ability to provide you with 100 percent of your daily protein needs.

You can also choose between vegetarian products and products that contain protein which comes from eggs, among other sources.

There is also a cost factor to consider when buying protein supplements. Typically you are buying a 1- to 5-pound container of protein powder.

In most cases, one container of protein powder will provide you with a month’s worth of protein for about $30 to $50.

However, there are some companies that sell the larger packages but use less potent dosages, causing you to use more to meet your daily requirements.

Whey protein is the most common supplement. Watch the video below to learn how it can benefit you:

Where Do I Find the Best Protein Supplements?

The answer to this question is subjective because what you might consider the best supplement may be a supplement someone else hates. As a result, all you need to consider are the protein supplements you love and then compare them online so you can get the lowest price. There are also some well-known brands that are of good quality you can look at here.

Don’t forget to factor in the cost of shipping and handling. Sometimes these fees can cause an affordable protein powder to go out of your price range.

As always, don’t forget that supplements will work differently for everyone, and having a balanced diet and good nutrition is just one part of overall total body fitness!

And remember to keep in mind that supplementation of any kind is not enough for your overall health and fitness needs. Exercise is important. Go PRO today for access to certified personal trainers, workout plans, goal trackers, and more!