AMOUNT OF PROTEIN FOR EACH PERSON

I DON'T KNOW IF THIS HAS BEEN POSTED SINCE I'VE BEEN OFF THE BOARD, BUT MS CHERYL (ON THE SC BOARD) WAS KIND ENOUGH TO FORWARD A COPY OF THE bariatriceating.com MARCH NEWSLETTER TO ME & HERE'S AN EQUATION TO FIGURE OUT THE PROPER DAILY AMOUNT OF PROTEIN EACH INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. How much protein is enough? Different surgical groups and nutritionists gives us a slightly different numbers of targeted protein grams for our post operative nutrition. However, it is generally agreed upon by medical and health professionals that the body needs about 1.25 grams of protein per kilogram of ideal bodyweight. I know I've lost many of you... kilograms and grams, oh no... but don't worry it's simple. IDEAL BODY WEIGHT is used rather than current weight as fat doesnt need protein. In addition, IDEAL WEIGHT is not necessarily goal weight, as some doctors use a seemingly 'too thin' weight from a table. Let's say you are 5' 4 and your 'IDEAL' weight or maybe a better term would be 'realistic' weight for your medium frame is 145 pounds. Divide your ideal weight by 2.2 to convert pounds to kilos and then multiply this number by 1.25 grams per kilo. So if you should weigh 145... divide by 2.2 which equals 66 kilos then multiply by 1.25 to equal 82 grams per day. Your body needs 82 grams of protein each day to maintain muscle mass if you are even moderately active. Using the same formula, a man who has an ideal weight of 185 would need 105 grams of protein per day. I don't know where people come up with 45-60 protein grams a day as a target, but that's a one scoop shake short! OK, MY IDEAL WEIGHT IS 126 / 2.2 = 57.2727... x 1.25 = 71.59 GRAMS OF PROTEIN A DAY FOR ME PERSONALLY. HOPE THIS HELPS SIMPLIFY THE PROTEIN ISSUE. GOD BLESS DAWN & NICK

Dawn, Thanks for the info, I always though it was a little strange that everyone needed the same amount of protein. Did not think a small person who need the same as a larger person, if they were both idea weight. This clears it up. Mary L

Glad it helped you, Ms Mary ... We were all a bit confused on the SC board, so this made it clearer for each individual, which helped all of us!