Recent studies suggest that protein may be under consumed in the U.S. One study found that the average per capita protein intake of adults aged 19 years was 94 g/day. Another study found that Americans were not meeting the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for protein intake with only 9% of total calories coming from protein and only 8% of calories specifically coming from animal sources.
The US population’s risk of protein underconsumption is low
The nutritional guidelines recommend a minimum of 0.8 g/kg body weight per day for adults, but the average American only consumes about 0.5 g/kg per day. The recommended amount of protein can be achieved by eating a variety of foods, including meat, eggs and legumes.
Most Americans are getting the recommended amount of protein
According to a study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average American gets about 16% of their daily calories from protein, which is just below the recommended intake of 10% to 35%.
However, there are some groups that are at risk for underconsumption. Women and children are more likely to fall short on protein than men and older adults, respectively. The same goes for people with lower incomes, who tend to have diets that are less diverse than those of higher-income people.
It is possible to overeat protein
Most Americans do not meet the daily recommended intake for protein. This is a problem since protein is an important nutrient needed for growth and repair of tissues, such as muscle tissue. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. For example, a 60-kg person would need about 50 g of protein per day.
It is possible to overeat protein but it is difficult because there are so many other foods that contain protein that people prefer to eat instead. Protein deficiency is also rare in developed countries because it can be difficult to get enough calories without adequate protein.
How Much Protein Do We Consume
The average American consumes about 15% of their daily calories from protein, according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). However, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) is 0.8g of protein per kilogram of body weight. So how much protein are we actually getting?
According to a recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition, the answer is not enough. Researchers found that the average amount of protein consumed was only about 11% of calories. The study also found that low-income populations had less than half the amount of dietary protein as higher-income populations.
The researchers concluded that there is an urgent need for public health interventions aimed at increasing dietary protein intake among Americans who are at risk for chronic disease or obesity.
Is Protein Consumed by the Average American Enough
The average American eats 130 pounds of meat, poultry and fish a year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). But is that enough?
Protein is an essential nutrient that helps build muscle, repair tissues, make enzymes and hormones and more. The recommended daily amount for adults is between 46 grams and 56 grams for women and 56 grams to 71 grams for men.
However, protein needs vary depending on age, gender and activity level. The USDA recommends getting at least 10 percent of your daily calories from protein — but it’s not clear how much people are actually getting from their diets.
The agency’s most recent data shows that Americans consume an average of about 16 percent of their calories from protein — which is less than the 20 percent recommended by the Institute of Medicine.
Protein is not just for bodybuilders and athletes
Protein is not just for bodybuilders and athletes. Protein is a key component of our diet, but most American adults are not consuming enough protein to meet their needs. The average intake of protein in the United States is about 15% lower than it should be, according to the Institute of Medicine (IOM).
On average, Americans consume about 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. This translates into an average intake of 46 grams of protein per day for women and 56 grams per day for men. However, the recommendation is that we need approximately 0.8 grams per kilogram per day or 54 grams for women and 64 grams for men. In other words, we should be eating approximately 10% more protein than we currently do.
Some forms of protein can be better for you than others
Protein is an important part of a healthy diet. It helps you build and maintain muscle mass, which in turn keeps you strong and promotes weight loss. It also aids in digestion.
However, protein is often underconsumed in the United States. In fact, protein intake among adults has been estimated at only 46 grams per day — less than the recommended daily allowance (RDA).
Protein should make up 10 to 35 percent of your total calories each day. If you follow a 2,000-calorie diet, that would mean eating between 46 and 142 grams of protein each day.
Some forms of protein can be better for you than others. For example:
- Chicken breast has more protein than chicken wings and thighs but fewer calories per serving;
- Lean cuts of beef have more protein than fattier cuts;
- Egg whites contain more protein than whole eggs; and
- Milk contains less protein than yogurt or cheese but is easier to digest because it doesn’t have lactose (the sugar found in dairy products).
Last Words
Protein intake in healthy adult men and women is sufficient to maintain muscle mass and strength and thus is unlikely to benefit from regular consumption of additional amounts. The main source of protein should be considered more than its quantity.