Food - Drink
How Much Protein Is 'Too Much' Protein?
By KATHERINE BECK
Low-carb, high-protein diets have been on trend for years, from the Atkins plan to the keto diet. Protein is indeed essential for our well-being, since it helps us gain healthy weight, generates antibodies, keeps us feeling full, and more, but how much protein per day is too much?
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) depends on a person’s weight and activity level, and the average ratio is about 0.4 grams of protein per pound of your total weight. To calculate the RDA of protein for an average person who doesn’t exercise, you would multiply their body weight in pounds by 0.36.
For athletes and people who exercise regularly, a higher amount of protein should be consumed in order to help with muscle recovery and generate new muscle. Athletes and other active people should consume about 0.5 to 0.7 grams of protein per pound of their total body weight.
Also, no more than 35% of your daily calories should come from protein. If you think you may be consuming too much protein, signs to watch out for include dehydration, headaches, feeling weak, bad breath, constipation, diarrhea, weight gain, and kidney stones.