PROTEIN?

sexyfit89
sexyfit89 Posts: 9
in Health and Weight Loss
***QUESTION*** Is it true that however much you weigh, thats how many grams of protein that you are supposed to have a day? If that is true then does it really matter if I go over my protein for the day bc MFP has me set at 59 grams of protein a day, and i just dont think thats enough.

Replies

  • CoderGal
    CoderGal Posts: 6,800 Member
    For a sedentary individual a bare minimum should be .8g/kg of body mass. If you're active at all, between 1.6g/kg and 1.8g/kg is recommended. The US & Canadian RDI suggest to have AT LEAST 46g since below that people show signs of deficiency...so eat well above this number So even if you're a short slim person who's inactive, I'd suggest eating at least that. Even if you're really active, I wouldn't go to 2.5g/kg.

    So in summary:
    If .8g/kg works out to be <46 eat at least 46, otherwiise eat at least .8g/kg
    If you exercise get at least 1.6-1.8g/kg
    eat somewhere below 2.5g/kg

    Example (me-120lb):
    weight=120lb=54.4311kg

    Minimums:
    protein amount lying around all day=weight*.8=43.5449<46g so at least 46 grams.
    protein amount if I'm fairly active that day = weight*1.6 = 87.0898g
    maximum protein amount = 136.078g
  • sexyfit89
    sexyfit89 Posts: 9
    Thanks so much for you help!
  • KerenCutNShoot
    KerenCutNShoot Posts: 16
    that is a question I had also, mfp has me in red on protein most days. I do not know my body mas, your math was kinda over my head. I am just learning and hope to get to this level soon. Codergal, I appreciate your posts they are very informative. Thank you!
  • CoderGal
    CoderGal Posts: 6,800 Member
    that is a question I had also, mfp has me in red on protein most days. I do not know my body mas, your math was kinda over my head. I am just learning and hope to get to this level soon. Codergal, I appreciate your posts they are very informative. Thank you!

    Math (I'm going to leave the units and then cancel them off:
    mass in this case = your weight, in kg.

    Ratios:
    Weight ratio (for Conversion):
    There's 1kg /2.20462 lb
    OR 1lb/0.453592kg
    Protein ratio Suggestion by "Beyond the Zone: Protein Needs of Active Individuals"
    1.8g protein/kg body mass <-active

    I'm 120lbs and I want to convert to kg so I use the weight ratio where kg is on top (the first one)...
    myWeight*conversionRatio=
    120lb * (0.53592kg/1lb) = 54.4311lb*(kg/lb) = 54.4311kg if you cancel out the units...this is my weight in kg

    Protein...I'm moderately active so I go with 1.8g/kg:

    myWeight(kg)*proteinRatio=
    54.4311kg*(1.8g/kg)=54.4311kg*(1.8g/kg)=97.97598 grams for a person who's active.
  • KerenCutNShoot
    KerenCutNShoot Posts: 16
    thank you, that helps. I was wondering why mfp had my protein in red, however using your calculations I am not going over. I am overweight. I have started dieting, cardio and weight training. Just recently joined mfp to track my calorie intake.
    Thank you again!!

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