Protein calculation - lean or total weight?

Yogi_Carl
Yogi_Carl Posts: 1,906 Member
in Food and Nutrition
when you calculate your protein needs, do you base the formula (1g per kilo bodyweight) on present total weight or your ideal target weight?

Basically trying to work out whether it is lean weight you calculate for or do you include your excess fat in their because protein is also used as an energy source; which will be greater when heavier.

Replies

  • 2April
    2April Posts: 285 Member
    Many people do 1 gram per pound of lean mass.
  • lgtahoe
    lgtahoe Posts: 96
    I guesstimate my body fat percentage to be 30% and use remaining lean body mass to figure 1 g protein per lb.
  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    It's 1 gram per pound of lean body mass. If you're trying to gain, I know some people shoot for 1 gram per pound you'd like to weigh.
  • Yogi_Carl
    Yogi_Carl Posts: 1,906 Member
    OK - thanks for replies, I thought that was what it was.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    Everyone seems to have a variation. I think that in most circumstances, 1 g per lb of lean mass is more than enough. 1.5 g/kg of bodyweight, 2g/kg of lean mass, etc are all good. 1g per lb of bodyweight is going to be enough for virtually everyone; much more than that is probably a bad idea.

    I think 1g per kg of bodyweight is too low for people losing weight and exercising.

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