Post: Protein: How Much is Too Much? The Experts’ View

Some people can’t seem to get enough of protein. In shakes, in bars, in smoothies—or as big lumps of steak—it’s a macronutrient beloved my many, especially in the nutrition and fitness scene.

But experts disagree on the ideal amount of protein we should be eating, on whether we should be focusing on protein to maximize our nutrition, and on whether we might be in danger of eating too much protein instead.

Newsweek reached out to 10 different nutrition experts—all with different opinions—to ask them how much protein they, personally, ate every day.

Many of them quoted the recommended daily amount (RDA): in the U.S. national nutrition guidelines recommend eating at least 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram (g/kg) of body weight.

For someone that weighs 180lbs, or 82kg, that means eating 65g or 2.3oz of protein per day: just a bit more than one 10oz steak.

For nutritionist Mike Murphy—who said people should aim to eat about 1g/kg per day—eating enough protein is "one of the most important dietary goals someone can focus on."

He said: "Protein balances blood sugar, promotes satiety, and it’s very difficult to overeat protein. Plus, we need protein to repair tissues and build things in the body, like enzymes, hormones, and muscle.

"I look at muscle as the most important longevity organ and we can’t hold onto it without getting enough protein in the diet." Selection of high protein food, from meat and plant sources. Protein in animal sources is considered more bioavailable and complete than plant-based sources, but contains less fiber and beneficial phytonutrients too. He said he got around 100g protein per day, which might look like: two eggs, a slice of sourdough toast and peanut butter for breakfast; a chicken breast, a cup of broccoli and a cup of quinoa at lunch; a handful of almonds for snacking; and a fillet of salmon and half a cup of lentils at dinner.

Murphy said that protein was "very difficult to overeat" and did not warn against overdoing it—but others more explicitly said there was no need to worry about eating too much."There really is no such thing as too […]

Protein: How Much is Too Much? The Experts’ View