FINANCIAL FITNESS & HEALTH MATH OTHER

home / fitness & health / protein calculator

Print
Protein Calculator
Result
Based on given information, the following are the basic protein intake recommendations
from multiple authoritative institutions:
American Dietetic Association (ADA): at least 89 - 160 grams/day.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 69 - 241 grams/day (10-35% of daily caloric
intake).
World Health Organization safe lower limit: 74 grams/day.

US Units Metric Units Other Units

Search
Age 22 ages 18 - 80

Gender male female Fitness and Health Calculators

BMI Calorie
Height 183 cm
Body Fat BMR
Weight 89 kg Macro Ideal Weight
Pregnancy Pregnancy Weight Gain
Activity Moderate: exercise 4-5 times/week
Pregnancy Conception Due Date

+ Settings More Fitness and Health

Pace Calculators

Financial | Fitness and Health | Math | Other

Calculate Clear

Exercise: 15-30 minutes of elevated heart rate activity.

Intense exercise: 45-120 minutes of elevated heart rate activity.
Very intense exercise: 2+ hours of elevated heart rate activity.

Related
Calorie Calculator | Carbohydrate Calculator | Fat Intake Calculator

What are proteins?

Proteins are one of three primary macronutrients that provide energy to the human body, along with
fats and carbohydrates. Proteins are also responsible for a large portion of the work that is done in
cells; they are necessary for proper structure and function of tissues and organs, and also act to
regulate them. They are comprised of a number of amino acids that are essential to proper body
function, and serve as the building blocks of body tissue.
There are 20 different amino acids in total, and the sequence of amino acids determines a protein's
structure and function. While some amino acids can be synthesized in the body, there are 9 amino
acids that humans can only obtain from dietary sources (insufficient amounts of which may sometimes
result in death), termed essential amino acids. Foods that provide all of the essential amino acids are
called complete protein sources, and include both animal (meat, dairy, eggs, fish) as well as plant-
based sources (soy, quinoa, buckwheat).
Proteins can be categorized based on the function they provide to the body. Below is a list of some
types of proteins:

Antibody—proteins that protect the body from foreign particles, such as viruses and bacteria, by
binding to them
Enzyme—proteins that help form new molecules as well as perform the many chemical reactions
that occur throughout the body
Messenger—proteins that transmit signals throughout the body to maintain body processes
Structural component—proteins that act as building blocks for cells that ultimately allow the body
to move
Transport/storage—proteins that move molecules throughout the body

As can be seen, proteins have many important roles throughout the body, and as such, it is important
to provide sufficient nutrition to the body to maintain healthy protein levels.

How much protein do I need?

The amount of protein that the human body requires daily is dependent on many conditions, including
overall energy intake, growth of the individual, and physical activity level. It is often estimated based on
body weight, as a percentage of total caloric intake (10-35%), or based on age alone. 0.8g/kg of body
weight is a commonly cited recommended dietary allowance (RDA). This value is the minimum
recommended value to maintain basic nutritional requirements, but consuming more protein, up to a
certain point, maybe beneficial, depending on the sources of the protein.
The recommended range of protein intake is between 0.8 g/kg and 1.8 g/kg of body weight, dependent
on the many factors listed above. People who are highly active, or who wish to build more muscle
should generally consume more protein. Some sources suggest consuming between 1.8 to 2 g/kg for
those who are highly active. The amount of protein a person should consume, to date, is not an exact
science, and each individual should consult a specialist, be it a dietitian, doctor, or personal trainer, to
help determine their individual needs.

Recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of protein, based on age

Protein Needed (grams/day)
Age 1 - 3 13
Age 4 - 8 19
Age 9 - 13 34
Age 14 - 18 (Girls) 46
Age 14 - 18 (Boys) 52
Age 19 - 70+ (Women) 46
Age 19 - 70+ (Men) 56

Extra Protein Requirements for Pregnancy and Lactation

Additional Energy
Safe Intake Requirement Protein : energy
(grams / day) (kJ/day) ratio
Pregnancy trimester 1 1 375 0.04
Pregnancy trimester 2 10 1,200 0.11
Pregnancy trimester 3 31 1,950 0.23
Lactation First 6 months 19 2,800 0.11
Lactation After 6 months 13 1,925 0.11

Foods high in protein

There are many different combinations of food that a person can eat to meet their protein intake
requirements. For many people, a large portion of protein intake comes from meat and dairy, though it
is possible to get enough protein while meeting certain dietary restrictions you might have. Generally, it
is easier to meet your RDA of protein by consuming meat and dairy, but an excess of either can have a
negative health impact. There are plenty of plant-based protein options, but they generally contain less
protein in a given serving. Ideally, a person should consume a mixture of meat, dairy, and plant-based
foods in order to meet their RDA and have a balanced diet replete with nutrients.
If possible, consuming a variety of complete proteins is recommended. A complete protein is a protein
that contains a good amount of each of the nine essential amino acids required in the human diet.
Examples of complete protein foods or meals include:
Meat/Dairy examples

Eggs
Chicken breast
Cottage cheese
Greek yogurt
Milk
Lean beef
Tuna
Turkey breast
Fish
Shrimp

Vegan/plant-based examples

Buckwheat
Hummus and pita
Soy products (tofu, tempeh, edamame beans)
Peanut butter on toast or some other bread
Beans and rice
Quinoa
Hemp and chia seeds
Spirulina

Generally, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products are complete protein sources. Nuts and seeds,
legumes, grains, and vegetables, among other things, are usually incomplete proteins. There is
nothing wrong with incomplete proteins however, and there are many healthy, high protein foods that
are incomplete proteins. As long as you consume a sufficient variety of incomplete proteins to get all
the required amino acids, it is not necessary to specifically eat complete protein foods. In fact, certain
high fat red meats for example, a common source of complete proteins, can be unhealthy. Below are
some examples of high protein foods that are not complete proteins:

Almonds
Oats
Broccoli
Lentils
Ezekiel bread
Chia seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Peanuts
Brussels sprouts
Grapefruit
Green peas
Avocados
Mushrooms

As can be seen, there are many different foods a person can consume to meet their RDA of protein.
The examples provided above do not constitute an exhaustive list of high protein or complete protein
foods. As with everything else, balance is important, and the examples provided above are an attempt
at providing a list of healthier protein options (when consumed in moderation).

Amount of protein in common food

Protein Amount
Milk (1 cup/8 oz) 8g
Egg (1 large/50 g) 6g
Meat (1 slice / 2 oz) 14 g
Seafood (2 oz) 16 g
Bread (1 slice/64 g) 8g
Corn (1 cup/166 g) 16 g
Rice (1 cup/195 g) 5g
Dry Bean (1 cup/92 g) 16 g
Nuts (1 cup/92 g) 20 g
Fruits and Vegetables (1 cup) 0-1 g
Pizza (1 slice/107 g) 12 g
Hamburger (McDonald Medium) 20 g

about us | sitemap | terms of use | privacy policy © 2008 - 2022 calculator.net