# How much protein should I be eating on average per day? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 5, 2011, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-protein-should-i-be-eating-on-average-per-day/591550 "2011-08-05T04:36:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-protein-should-i-be-eating-on-average-per-day/591550/21 "2011-08-06T01:10:39Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Oooo - good catch! > > So… a dietary serving of “protein food” every meal might be a better benchmark for me. Looks like my breakfast clocks in at 20 grams of protein (I eat the same thing for breakfast almost every day), so I should try to get 80 grams the rest of the day. Which might be split between lunch and dinner, or doubled up on one or the other meal. On average. And occasional day with extra probably doesn’t hurt now and again. > > Now that I think about it (and consult the food diary) I actually might be short-changing myself a bit. I think I might try increasing the protein slightly for a couple weeks and see how that works. Don’t think I’m getting quite 100 grams a day, more like 70-80. Another thing; your daily protein (100grams) is best digested and utilized by your body in smaller feedings throughout the day. Your body can only handle so much protein at one given time (there is some debate as to the exact amount) and the extra protein just gets secreted. Try to get around the same amount, roughly, of protein in each meal. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-protein-should-i-be-eating-on-average-per-day/591550/22 "2011-08-06T16:57:36Z")
So if your breakfast protein needs to increase that just means an excuse to eat bacon 😉 Or, you know, a protein drink that you can take with you on the road. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-protein-should-i-be-eating-on-average-per-day/591550/23 "2011-08-06T18:45:41Z")
> [@Moonlitherial](#): > > So if your breakfast protein needs to increase that just means an excuse to eat bacon 😉 Well, yes, but for my purposes something with as much protein but fewer calories might be better yet. > [@](#): > > Or, you know, a protein drink that you can take with you on the road. Bleargghhh! I want real food, please. Really, a lot of those “protein drinks” amount to a liquid candy bar. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2011, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-protein-should-i-be-eating-on-average-per-day/591550/24 "2011-09-13T15:13:20Z")
This thread is slightly into zombie territory, but I wanted to check in briefly - I did up my protein intake slightly and it seems to have done me some good. Less soreness/tiredness, more overall energy, and a some uptick in strength and stamina. It wasn’t a huge change but it was an improvement. So thanks everyone for the input. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2016, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-protein-should-i-be-eating-on-average-per-day/591550/25 "2016-04-26T14:05:03Z")
This is REALLY into zombie territory now, but I wanted to thank the contributors for their input because I think increasing my protein to around 100g a day really made a difference. I am now in my 50’s, my weight is down to 140-145 pounds even if I’m eating around 3000 calories a day (still have a physically active job), and I feel great. 100g protein a day seemed to be the magic potion. No protein drinks or powders, I’ve stuck to real food. I didn’t change my meals that much, but I snack on things like baked chicken legs, nuts, and things like salami slices or hard sausage. Or a slab of whole wheat nutbread with cream cheese slathered on top. So I didn’t really change my meals as much as I changed what I snack on. Protein still is the most expensive component of my diet (I wish nuts were cheaper!) but I’m doing better financially so that’s less of a problem than it used to be. So, thanks again, you all did help me out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-protein-should-i-be-eating-on-average-per-day/591550.md?page=1)