Most studies suggest that 1–1.4 grams (g) of protein per lb of body weight (2.2–3.0 g per kg) is sufficient for conserving muscle mass on a cutting diet ( 6 ). For example, a 155-lb (70-kg) person should eat 150–210 g of protein per day.
No, you do not. A 200 grams protein meal plan is best left to elite athletes and bodybuilders looking to gain some lean muscle as most ordinary people do not need this much protein in their diets. The average human just requires 0.8 g of this nutrient per kilogram of body weight (5).
Protein is a really important macronutrient for body composition and it's especially important during a weight cut. When losing body mass, it is typical that some muscle mass will be lost as well as fat mass. In order to reduce the muscle mass lost during a weight cut it is important to keep protein intake high.
To lose weight, diets with higher amounts of protein—between 90 and 150 grams a day—are effective and help keep you from losing muscle along with fat.
When cutting calories to lose fat, it is important to eat lean protein. Lean protein is lower in fat, and therefore lower calorie compared to higher fat proteins. Examples of lean proteins are chicken breast, lean turkey, lean beef, venison, white fish, egg whites, fat free greek yogurt, etc.
Based on the maximum recommendation of 2.0g/KG of body weight, you'd then need 120 grams of protein daily. Any consumption beyond that amount is excessive and isn't likely to enhance further muscle repair or growth.
Excess protein consumed is usually stored as fat, while the surplus of amino acids is excreted. This can lead to weight gain over time, especially if you consume too many calories while trying to increase your protein intake.
A low protein diet can also hinder your weight-loss goals, because more muscle means a higher metabolism, which means it takes more calories to maintain the same weight. If you are not getting enough protein in your diet, you will have less lean tissue, so it won't take as many calories to maintain your weight.
Most bodybuilders do not exceed cuts of 4 months but usually do at least 2 months. This is because you will need enough time to provide decent results but not overextend yourself with a long-term restrictive diet.
For vegetarians, 100 grams of protein might look like: Four eggs (24 grams of protein) ½ cup of rolled oats (5 grams) Two tablespoons of peanut butter (7 grams)
Ten percent being the absolute minimum.” Experts aren't certain of the maximum amount, but too much protein is linked with kidney disease, constipation, and cancer risk. As a general rule, Immer recommends that men aim for 140 grams and women shoot for 110 grams per day.
“The most I would recommend to an average person is two per day, simply because anything beyond that point is going to cut into your diet in a negative way,” she says. If you work out regularly and you're trying to build muscle, two protein shakes per day is plenty.
“Yes, there is such a thing as too much protein,” Nicholas says. “The general consensus is that two grams per kilogram of body weight is the upper limit for most adult males.” So, if you weigh 185 pounds, you shouldn't be eating more than 168 grams of protein per day.
Two eggs give you 12 grams of hunger-satisfying protein. Half of that is in the yolk, so be sure to eat the whole egg for all the protein goodness. Recent research found that we build more lean muscle and boost muscle strength more when we eat whole eggs, not just the egg whites.
General recommendations are to consume 15–30 grams of protein at each meal. Studies show higher intakes — those more than 40 grams — in one sitting are no more beneficial than the recommended 15–30 grams at one time. Don't waste your money on excessive amounts.
Choose high-quality protein sources.
To consume 200g of protein per day, you'll need to eat high-protein foods like lean meats, fish, dairy, eggs, nuts, beans, and soy products. Opt for high-protein snacks during the day, like plain yogurt or a handful of nuts.
All of these recommendations fall within the range suggested by the American College of Sports Medicine that suggests 1.2 to 2.0 grams per kilogram of body weight (0.54 to 0.9 grams/pound), which would translate to 81 to 136 grams for a 150-pound adult for preserving and building muscle.
It is possible to each too much protein — if more than 35% of your daily calories come from protein, you might experience side effects. Eating too much protein can worsen kidney problems, and over time can cause symptoms like bad breath, indigestion and dehydration.
Boosts Metabolism and Increases Fat Burning
However, not all foods are the same in this regard. In fact, protein has a much higher thermic effect than fat or carbs — 20–35% compared to 5–15% ( 21 ). High protein intake has been shown to significantly boost metabolism and increase the number of calories you burn.