HOW MUCH PROTEIN DO WE NEED?

This is also a very controversial topic. The Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) suggests 0.8g – 1g per kilogram of body weight. As such, the recommended daily allowance for an average women is 46g of protein per day. It is recommended that we get at least 10%, but no more than 35% of our daily calories from protein. It is widely reported that most people eat up to twice the required amount of protein per day.

As a rule of thumb, you need more protein if you are:

- Mentally or physically tired.
- Suffering from injury, cramps or muscle soreness.
- Unable to focus or concentrate.
- Losing muscle or unable to build muscle.
- Losing hair.
- Have brittle or weak nails that break.
- Are unusually susceptible to sunburn.
- Eperience headaches, fainting and crankiness or are anxious, moody or depressed.

If you are unable to build or retain muscle you probably aren’t getting enough protein as your body will take it from where it can, which is normally muscle tissue. If you frequently suffer drom injuries chaces are you don’t have enough protein for muscle contractile strength or the rebuilding and recovery process. You may also require extra protein if you engage in sport or any other type of training or physical activity, so adjust your protein intake accordingly.