Target Amount of Protein

[clayverde 2]

Hey all - I am getting banded in a week (yikes!) and in wandering around on the board, I have noticed the HUGE differences in the target amount of Protein. So I was hoping to see what the deal is, is it weight or what? The nutritionist did a formula thing to figure out the number, but she didn't tell me what the formula was or anything. SO... I am 328, BMI 52.9 and my protein target is 47 grams - which seems really low compared to many of you. Can that be right?? :confused_smile:

[Guest ZenGarden]

Here is the standard formula for calculating daily Protein intake for adults:

Multiply your current body weight by 0.37 and you will get the correct amount of Protein intake required for your body per day.

Example:

251 X 0.37 = 92 grams of protein

PS - also remember that your body can only absorb 25 or 30 grams of protein at a time; any amount over this is lost in waste.

Edited July 15, 2008 by zengirl227

[Maryiam 0]

zengirl, this seems high, doesn't it? i weigh 280 X .37 = 104. Are you missing something from the formula?

[CassCass 0]

My dietitian calculated my needed Protein by multiplying my goal weight by .37.

So I need about 55g a day.

[Maryiam 0]

that sounds more like it Cass. 150X.37=56 grams....much better

[hopefulmom25 0]

My doc just says 40-50 grams of Protein a day is the goal.

[Jachut 487]

I was never really told a goal but when I asked because I'd seen so much about it on here, I was told 40 to 50 grams is ample.

Furthermore, I was told by my doctor that that formula is supposed to be based on your IDEAL body weight not your current, because your current body weight includes an awful lot of metabolically inactive fat.

[Guest ZenGarden]

zengirl, this seems high, doesn't it? i weigh 280 X .37 = 104. Are you missing something from the formula?

According to my doctor, yes, this is the formula for calculating the amount of daily Protein intake based on body weight. The larger/more you weigh, the more protein you need.