Protein...How Much Do You Need?

[Caleb's Tree]

How's everyone doing today?

I don't post much, but read here to learn what I can. Lately I have been trying to get my diet right to make sure I have at least some minimal standard of nutrition necessary to take advantage of my workouts.

I've done some reading on protein and get varying opinions about how much you really need to take in for weight lifting.

I lift 3-4 times a week, and my workouts are about 3 hours long. I do take whey protein, but am trying to get a handle on how much I should really take.

What I have seen recommended for my height and weight is 140 grams of protein a day.

I now weigh 204, have 13% body fat and am 6 feet tall. Haven't lost any muscle mass since I started working out again nearly 4 months ago, and it appears as though I've gained a bit of size in some places. I've lost about 25 lbs of ugly fat in 4 months, don't juice, and only take vitamins, MSM, Chondroitin, and Glucosomine, as well as Whey Protein.

So how much protein should I be taking a day?

 

[highoutput30]

you shoudl be taking at least 2 grams of protien for every pound of Body weight.

 

[the_alcatraz]

you shoudl be taking at least 2 grams of protien for every pound of Body weight.

The general rule is 1g of protein for every lb of bodyweight.

 

[Caleb's Tree]

The general rule is 1g of protein for every lb of bodyweight.

LOL....First two posts, two conflicting results.

2gs of protein for every pound of body weight for me would mean 406 grams of protein.

1 g of protein for every pound of weight seems more doable and would only mean I would need 203 grams.

Also, too much protein can cause renal problems from what I've read. Getting the right advice on something as simple as protein intake can be a difficult task for someone. I've tried protein calculators, and they usually say somewhere between 128, to 140 grams of protein for a 203 pound man 6' tall.

I am sure if this thread gets enough responses that I can average it out to something more accurate, or reasonable.

Thanks so far for both or your responses.

I really want to get a handle on my diet and my nutritional needs so I can maximize the results of my workouts.

 

[theblondebomber]

neither is wronge(really).2 gm for bodybuilders and a minimum of 1gm per lb. of bw.go for 1.5 to be safe at a munimum.

 

[Caleb's Tree]

neither is wronge(really).2 gm for bodybuilders and a minimum of 1gm per lb. of bw.go for 1.5 to be safe at a munimum.

Damn... Do you guys have any problems eating that much protein?

How much of a % of protein are you getting from your supplements vs. your diet?

Seriously, I drink my shakes, but that seems like a lot of protein. Does anyone have any linkage to support their advice? That'd be helpful.

If I need more, I'll have to take more. I think by the end of this thread, I'll have a good handle on it.

 

[the_alcatraz]

LOL....First two posts, two conflicting results.

2gs of protein for every pound of body weight for me would mean 406 grams of protein.

1 g of protein for every pound of weight seems more doable and would only mean I would need 203 grams.

Also, too much protein can cause renal problems from what I've read. Getting the right advice on something as simple as protein intake can be a difficult task for someone. I've tried protein calculators, and they usually say somewhere between 128, to 140 grams of protein for a 203 pound man 6' tall.

I am sure if this thread gets enough responses that I can average it out to something more accurate, or reasonable.

Thanks so far for both or your responses.

I really want to get a handle on my diet and my nutritional needs so I can maximize the results of my workouts.

Dude, it's 1 g or protein per lb of bodyweight. I'm sure. Unless you're on a mass cycle and you're bulking. Then people would consider 1.5g of protein / 1 lb of bodyweight.

Let me explain to you why. Realistically, any trainer will tell you your body can absorb 30g of protein max per sitting, i.e. a single meal. so if you're 200lbs, then you need 200g of protein a day. If you divide that by 30g, then you get a total nb. of 7 meals a day that you have to consume. If you needed 2 g of protein / 1 lb of bodyweight, then a 200lb man will have to consume 14 meals a day. Can you guess how many meals a 250lb man will have to consume?

That's why it's 1g or protein for each 1 lb of bodyweight.

 

[79steeler]

Welcome to Elite bro. You should take in 1.5 to 2 grams of protien per pound of body weight if you are trying to build mass. You could probably maintain on a little less than that. It depends what your goals are. Also remeber everyone is different.

On a side note you posted this thread in the steriod discussion forum, and you should have posted it in the nutrition forum. Not trying to be rude, just trying to help. Keep eating and keep lifting.

 

[Caleb's Tree]

Welcome to Elite bro. You should take in 1.5 to 2 grams of protien per pound of body weight if you are trying to build mass. You could probably maintain on a little less than that. It depends what your goals are. Also remeber everyone is different.

On a side note you posted this thread in the steriod discussion forum, and you should have posted it in the nutrition forum. Not trying to be rude, just trying to help. Keep eating and keep lifting.

Sorry about that. I am at work, and did browse through the different forums, but got a bit busy and didn't see the nutrition forum. I was actually looking for that. If the Mods could move it there, I'd have no problems with it.

So far I am hearing that I need at least 1 g per body weight minimally for maintenance, 1.5 to 2.0 gs for mass.

 

[Nelson Montana]

It isn't so much the amount as having protein readily available at all times. Some protein is also more absorbable than others . Check out BIG BLAST which has serum plasma protein -- the most "useable" protein available.