How much protein do you need
Last Updated on by Sophie
No doubt protein is important for losing weight for a very simple reason, that is protein requires more energy for the body to break it down and digest it.
Protein also help you fight hunger by keeping you full for longer time.
Protein are made of small units called amino acids, which is considered the building block of the body.
We need protein for muscle grow and healthy skin and repair cells.
Each 1 gram of protein = 4 calories
Since protein is used for promoting growth, our body does not convert protein to energy unless there is deficiency in carbohydrate and fat.
Since protein is not converted to energy and takes too much energy for the body to digest it, you might think eating too much protein will help you with your obesity.
Healthy amount of protein recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) is 15% of total calories consumed daily, and your body weight will determine how to calculate total amount of protein need by you daily.
The following formula is used to calculate how much protein do you need.
Your weight in pounds x 0.36 = protein needed in grams
Your weight in kilograms x 0.8= protein needed in grams
Let say you weigh 170 pounds
170 x 0.36 = 61.2 grams
61.2 x 4 = 244.8 calories
Amount of protein needed will change according to your lifestyle, active lifestyle demand more protein.
Athletes specially require more protein depending on type of sport practiced.
I know protein is important for losing weight and more importantly for our health, however do we really need to take protein supplement and shakes.
Simple the answer is, if you get your daily need of protein from your diet you don’t need to supplement and too much protein will not benefit your body.
From what you eat everyday you can find out the amount of protein you have consumed.
What is important is you eat healthy everyday, and some days having more or less protein will not make a big difference.
The image below simplifies what you should eat everyday.
Good read:
