Are You Getting Enough Protein?

Protein is a building block for strong muscles, and strong muscles are important at every age. If you aren’t getting enough protein, then your muscles can waste away and not be able to repair. There are many trendy diets that are promoting high protein and low carbohydrates, but is there such a thing as too much protein? When it comes to protein, how much do you really need to ensure you have strong muscles without causing other complications?

Overall, we actually don’t require that much protein in a day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, then you require 60 grams of protein. Six ounces of chicken breast has 54 grams of protein, so consuming that along with another protein food is enough to meet the recommendation.

Some people choose to consume more protein throughout their day as it helps them feel fuller for longer, along with being an essential part of building muscle, of course.

Seniors over the age of 60 require more protein than someone half their age as it can help fight against age-related muscle loss.

When deciding how much protein to consume a day, you need to consider your needs such as how old you are, what your activity levels are, and what your goals are. You can even speak to your doctor or nutritionist to determine how much protein you need.

Generally speaking, you can’t really consume too much protein, but there are special considerations for those with pre-existing health conditions like kidney disease or diabetes.

Unless otherwise advised by your doctor on how much protein to consume, feel free to enjoy. Make sure you’re obtaining your protein from healthy sources such as eggs, legumes, beans, and lean meat. A diet high in red meat is attributed to a slew of health problems, so reducing your intake and consuming a variety of protein sources is better.

Related:

• Is Too Much Protein Bad for Your Bones?
• 5 protein-packed foods to boost your muscle mass