Protein Intake

[DianeSeekingInfo]

Does anyone know, in general how many grams of protein a typical (average height and weight) healthy forty year old woman who works out (free weights and cardio)would need each day? Realize this is something to see a nutritionist about, etc., but am just wondering ballpark figure-wise what the standard/average amount would be...Thanks for any information you might have.

[alex11602]

Does anyone know, in general how many grams of protein a typical (average height and weight) healthy forty year old woman who works out (free weights and cardio)would need each day? Realize this is something to see a nutritionist about, etc., but am just wondering ballpark figure-wise what the standard/average amount would be...Thanks for any information you might have.

I am studying to be a nutrition and wellness consultant and according to my textbook it is more of a formula to figure out the amount. It is recommended that your protein intake is 10-35% of your total calorie intake or .8 grams of protein per 2.2 lbs.

The actual formula given has you taking your weight should be for your height so it says that if you are 5'5" a reasonable weight is 125 lbs. You take that 125 and change it to kilograms by dividing the pounds by 2.2. So 125 lbs is approx. 57 kilograms and you multiply the kilograms by .8. So a 5'5" woman would need around 46 grams of protein a day.

If you wanted to tell me your height I would be willing to do the calculations for you. And if you have any other questions about what you are supposed to be taking in, just ask and I will look it up for you.

[Gemini]

I am studying to be a nutrition and wellness consultant and according to my textbook it is more of a formula to figure out the amount. It is recommended that your protein intake is 10-35% of your total calorie intake or .8 grams of protein per 2.2 lbs.

The actual formula given has you taking your weight should be for your height so it says that if you are 5'5" a reasonable weight is 125 lbs. You take that 125 and change it to kilograms by dividing the pounds by 2.2. So 125 lbs is approx. 57 kilograms and you multiply the kilograms by .8. So a 5'5" woman would need around 46 grams of protein a day.

If you wanted to tell me your height I would be willing to do the calculations for you. And if you have any other questions about what you are supposed to be taking in, just ask and I will look it up for you.

Not to be contradictory here but I weight train and because of the amount of exercise we do, I was told by one of the trainers that you need 1 gram of protein for every pound of body weight. This formula is for people who do exercise with weights 2-3 times per week, or more, and the amount is intended to build muscle. Amounts would probably be less for those who do light exercise or not interested in building muscle...exercising for tone-up only.

The trainers are all educated in nutrition and exercise so the source is reliable. Does your training differentiate between exercise levels or is it just based on height and weight? I will add that it is difficult at times to take in that amount of protein while training so you have to do the protein shakes. I know I don't usually come close to the 112 grams I am supposed to have but I do the best I can.The good thing about weight training is you can really eat a lot more and not gain any weight...except in muscle!

[alex11602]

Not to be contradictory here but I weight train and because of the amount of exercise we do, I was told by one of the trainers that you need 1 gram of protein for every pound of body weight. This formula is for people who do exercise with weights 2-3 times per week, or more, and the amount is intended to build muscle. Amounts would probably be less for those who do light exercise or not interested in building muscle...exercising for tone-up only.

The trainers are all educated in nutrition and exercise so the source is reliable. Does your training differentiate between exercise levels or is it just based on height and weight? I will add that it is difficult at times to take in that amount of protein while training so you have to do the protein shakes. I know I don't usually come close to the 112 grams I am supposed to have but I do the best I can.The good thing about weight training is you can really eat a lot more and not gain any weight...except in muscle!

Not a problem with the contradictory, I'm sure we are both just trying to help...the information was taken right from the textbook and it is based more for people who are doing a moderate amount of exercise. And I am well aware it is difficult to take in that amount of protein since I can only manage to take in around 30g a day and that is if I have to have meat with dinner. But thank you for pointing out that different trainings teach different things, it is really good to know what some others think.

[DianeSeekingInfo]

Thanks so much, to you both! Very interesting and helpful. I'm rushing around now but will follow up next week with any questions/concerns. Thanks Again for your time and help! Have a wonderful holiday weekend!