The general recommendation for daily protein intake for most adults is about 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight (or about 0.36 grams per pound). For example, an average woman might need around 45 grams per day and an average man about 55 grams per day
. More specifically:
- Sedentary adults : 0.8 g/kg body weight is sufficient to meet basic nutritional needs and prevent deficiency
- Adults over 40-50 years : Protein needs may increase to about 1.0–1.2 g/kg to help maintain muscle mass and quality of life
- People who exercise regularly : Protein needs rise to about 1.1–1.7 g/kg depending on activity intensity and goals like muscle building
- Pregnant women : Protein requirements increase to about 75–100 grams per day to support fetal growth and maternal tissue
In terms of calories, protein should make up about 10% to 35% of daily caloric intake , which translates roughly to 50–175 grams per day on a 2,000-calorie diet, depending on individual needs
. To calculate your personal protein needs, multiply your weight in kilograms by 0.8 for a baseline, then adjust upward if you are older, active, or pregnant. For example, a 70 kg (154 lb) adult would need about 56 grams of protein daily as a minimum
. In summary:
- Average adult: ~0.8 g/kg/day (about 50–60 g/day)
- Older adults: 1.0–1.2 g/kg/day
- Active adults/athletes: 1.1–1.7 g/kg/day
- Pregnant women: 75–100 g/day
This range covers most needs while avoiding excessive intake, which could come with health risks if protein sources are high in saturated fats
. Thus, your daily protein intake in grams depends primarily on your body weight and lifestyle factors, with 0.8 grams per kilogram being the standard minimum recommendation.