An Easy Guide to Getting 50 Grams of Protein | Livestrong.com (2024)

An Easy Guide to Getting 50 Grams of Protein | Livestrong.com (1)

Fish, beans and tofu are good sources of protein.

Image Credit: yulka3ice/iStock/GettyImages

More than half of the U.S. population is eating too much protein, according to the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The report also highlights a lack of variety of protein sources in the diet and a tendency toward nutrient-poor choices.

Advertisem*nt

The amount of protein you need each day depends on your age, weight, gender and activity level. If your requirement is 50 grams of protein per day — or per meal — ensure that it comes from a variety of nutrient-rich sources.

Video of the Day

Video of the Day

Individual Protein Needs

The recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, for protein is 0.8 gram per kilogram of body weight. This is the amount suggested for all adults to meet basic nutritional needs. The calculation for determining your daily protein is to multiply your weight by 0.36. So, for example, if you weigh 135 pounds, you'd need about 50 grams of protein each day.

Advertisem*nt

But your weight isn't the only factor that determines your protein needs. Typically men need more calories than women, so their individual macronutrient needs are increased, and older people need more protein to counter age-related muscle loss.

Very active people and athletes also need more protein than the RDA. According to the International Society of Sports Nutrition, people who exercise may need as much as 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. Using this estimate, a person who weighs 165 pounds may need to get 50 grams of protein at each meal.

Advertisem*nt

High-Protein Foods

All foods contain some protein, but some are better sources than others. For example, animal foods are typically a denser source of protein than plant foods. Here are some examples of protein-rich foods in each food group:

Meat and Fish (per 3.5-ounce serving)

Advertisem*nt

Eggs and Dairy

Advertisem*nt

Grains

Vegetables and Fruits

Advertisem*nt

Nuts, Seeds and Legumes

50 Grams Per Day

It's easy to get enough protein if you only need 50 grams each day. And it's easy to go over your protein needs, which is OK if you account for the calories and make the necessary adjustments to keep your total daily calories in check. Keeping your calorie intake in balance with calorie expenditure is key for maintaining your weight. Some sample meals to help you get just enough — but not too much — protein each day include:

Advertisem*nt

Breakfast:

  • One serving of oatmeal topped with 1/2 cup of raspberries and one medium sliced banana
  • 1/2 cup of plain yogurt

Lunch:

Salad with 2 cups of raw spinach; 1/2 cup of raw broccoli, chopped; one medium apple, chopped; 1 ounce of pumpkin seeds; and 1/2 cup of chickpeas

Advertisem*nt

Advertisem*nt

Dinner:

  • 2.5 ounces of salmon
  • 2 cups of kale, sauteed

If you like to snack during the day, remember to add that to your total for the day.

50 Grams Per Meal

Getting 50 grams of protein per meal is a little more challenging, but you likely have to eat a lot anyway to meet your calorie needs. As long as you choose protein- and nutrient-rich sources at each meal, you shouldn't have any problem. Some sample meals that add up to 50 grams of protein each include:

Breakfast:

  • Two-egg omelet with veggies of your choice and 1 ounce of cheddar
  • 1 cup of low-fat Greek yogurt with 1/2 cup of raspberries
  • 1 ounce of almonds

Lunch:

  • 2 cups of raw spinach topped with 3.5 ounces of sliced chicken breast, 1 ounce of pumpkin seeds, and additional fruits and vegetables of your choice
  • 1/2 cup of low-fat cottage cheese with fresh fruit

Dinner:

  • 3.5 ounces of tilapia
  • 1 cup of cooked quinoa
  • 2 cups of kale sauteed with lemon and 1 ounce of sunflower seeds

If you can't quite make 50 grams at each meal, you can make up the difference in one or two protein-filled snacks such as nuts or hummus with cut-up veggies.

Advertisem*nt

Advertisem*nt

An Easy Guide to Getting 50 Grams of Protein | Livestrong.com (2024)

FAQs

An Easy Guide to Getting 50 Grams of Protein | Livestrong.com? ›

How Many Eggs Make 50g of Protein? If you're trying to hit a 50-gram protein goal with eggs only, you'll need about 9 eggs (54 grams).

How many eggs make 50g of protein? ›

How Many Eggs Make 50g of Protein? If you're trying to hit a 50-gram protein goal with eggs only, you'll need about 9 eggs (54 grams).

How to get 30 to 50 grams of protein for breakfast? ›

What Is the Best High Protein Breakfast?
  1. Eggs and tomato dishes like shakshuka and huevos rancheros.
  2. Omelets with sliced chicken or ground beef.
  3. Fish and avocado toasts.
  4. Cottage cheese or Greek yogurt with honey or fruit.
  5. Scrambled eggs and bacon.
  6. Smoothies from protein-rich vegetables, leafy greens, and fruit.
Nov 9, 2023

What does 50 g of protein look like for breakfast? ›

50 Grams Per Meal

Some sample meals that add up to 50 grams of protein each include: Breakfast: Two-egg omelet with veggies of your choice and 1 ounce of cheddar. 1 cup of low-fat Greek yogurt with 1/2 cup of raspberries.

What is a high protein snack? ›

High-protein snacks include nuts like pistachios, lean meats and poultry like turkey or chicken, beans and legumes like chickpeas or edamame and dairy products such as greek yogurt or hard cheeses.

What is an example of 50g of protein? ›

Visualizing 50 grams of protein depends on the protein source. For example, it could be roughly equivalent to 7 large eggs, 200 grams of chicken breast, or 2 cups of cooked lentils.

Are 2 eggs enough protein for a day? ›

Is 2 eggs a day enough protein? Two eggs give you 12 grams of hunger-satisfying protein. Although 2 eggs does not complete your daily protein needs, it's a great start. Eating two eggs in the morning ensures you are on the right track to hit your protein consumption goal by the end of the day.

Does avocado have protein? ›

A whole medium avocado contains about 240 calories, 13 grams carbohydrate, 3 grams protein, 22 grams fat (15 grams monounsaturated, 4 grams polyunsaturated, 3 grams saturated), 10 grams fiber, and 11 milligrams sodium. Along with their low sodium levels, avocados contain no cholesterol.

Which vegetable is high in protein? ›

Some vegetables that have high amounts of protein include Brussels sprouts, green beans, yellow sweet corn, asparagus, broccoli, and potatoes.

What is the healthiest protein for breakfast? ›

There are a variety of ways you can add protein to your breakfast; some of the best protein-rich breakfast ingredients are eggs, nuts, nut butter, beans, and cheese. Whether you're a savory food lover or you have a sweet tooth, there's a protein-rich breakfast option for you!

Which fruit is protein rich? ›

Avocado and guava have some of the highest protein content of all fruits. Adding more fruit to your diet offers your body more than just a bump in protein. Fruits are a delicious way to get the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber your body needs to stay healthy.

Is peanut butter high in protein? ›

They're rich in protein and healthy fat, and they're calorie-dense. Two tablespoons, or 32 grams, of peanut butter gives you 7.2 grams of protein. Peanut butter also contains: fiber.

What are the symptoms of lack of protein? ›

  • Some signs and symptoms of protein deficiency include edema, hair loss, increased hunger, and more severe infections, among others. ...
  • Edema. ...
  • Fatty liver. ...
  • Skin, hair, and nail problems. ...
  • Loss of muscle mass. ...
  • Greater risk of bone fractures. ...
  • Stunted growth in children. ...
  • Increased severity of infections.

Which food is king of protein? ›

High protein foods include lean chicken, lean pork, fish, lean beef, tofu, beans, lentils, low-fat yogurt, milk, cheese, seeds, nuts, and eggs.

Is 50g of protein too much in one day? ›

How much protein do you need? Anywhere from 10% to 35% of your calories should come from protein. So if your needs are 2,000 calories, that's 200–700 calories from protein, or 50–175 grams. The recommended dietary allowance to prevent deficiency for an average sedentary adult is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight.

How can I get 50 grams of protein a day without meat? ›

How to get protein without the meat
  1. Pulses. Pulses are an inexpensive protein choice, are high in fibre and a source of iron. ...
  2. Soya beans. ...
  3. Quinoa. ...
  4. Nuts. ...
  5. Seeds. ...
  6. Cereals and grains. ...
  7. Quorn™ ...
  8. Dairy.

Can your body handle 50g of protein? ›

When proteins are digested more slowly, the body can tolerate higher doses. Even if you were to have two chicken breasts for dinner (about 50g of protein), your body is likely to absorb most of the protein (unlike a 50g whey protein shake, where some of it will be wasted).

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Last Updated:

Views: 6160

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Birthday: 1999-09-15

Address: 8416 Beatty Center, Derekfort, VA 72092-0500

Phone: +6838967160603

Job: Mining Executive

Hobby: Woodworking, Knitting, Fishing, Coffee roasting, Kayaking, Horseback riding, Kite flying

Introduction: My name is Msgr. Refugio Daniel, I am a fine, precious, encouraging, calm, glamorous, vivacious, friendly person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.