How Much Protein Do You Actually Need in Your Diet?

Protein requirements change throughout life. But experts say it’s just as important to focus on the source of protein rather than the amount you're eating.

By Leslie Nemo
Aug 14, 2020 6:10 PMAug 17, 2020 3:27 PM
Sources of Protein, Meat Eggs Nuts Cheese - Shutterstock
(Credit: Oleksandra Naumenko/Shutterstock)

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Americans love protein. It's sold in energy bars, drink powders and pancake mixes. But if each of us were to sit down with a nutritionist, they might tell us to reconsider the amount we put in our grocery carts. “I feel in my experience, an average American consumes way more protein than they need,” says Nikita Kapur, a dietician with Compass Nutrition in New York.

Instead of focusing solely on how much you scarf down, maybe consider the types of protein you lean towards or when you eat them — and what larger problems might prevent people from getting enough in the first place.

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