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Nutrition · 5 min read

How much protein do you need?

Simple targets for building muscle and keeping it on a cut.

The target

For people who lift, about 0.7–1 g of protein per pound of bodyweight per day (1.6–2.2 g/kg) covers nearly everyone. If you're very overweight, use your goal weight instead.

Example

A 200 lb lifter aims for roughly 140–200 g a day. Split over 4 meals, that's 35–50 g per meal.

Easy protein sources

  • Chicken, turkey, lean beef, fish
  • Eggs and egg whites
  • Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, milk
  • Whey or casein protein
  • Tofu, tempeh, lentils, edamame

Does timing matter?

Total daily protein matters most. Spreading it across 3–5 meals, including one within a few hours of training, is a nice bonus.

Key takeaways

  • Aim for 0.7–1 g per lb per day.
  • Hit 30–50 g per meal.
  • Daily total beats perfect timing.

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General education only — not medical advice.