The all mighty protein intake question.?

Question

I lift 4 days a week and do cardio the same. I would like to lose about 25-35 LBS.I am also trying to add muscle.I currently weigh 217 LBS.I know that most " Experts" will say 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight,but I am not buying it.There are some pretty muscular guys I have talked with who say that they maybe get 100 grams per day.I drink 2 meal replacment shakes a day and am getting about 100-150 grams of protein per day.Is this enough? I want to look hard and be in shape not look like Mr.America.Does anyone have any solid experience with this question ?

Answer 1

I am a firm believer in that the body composition and the type and frequency of various activities (weight training, running, etc.) should dictate the minimum protein requirements. so a good range is 1-1.5 grams of protein per lb of lean body mass not total bodyweight, after all fat cells do not need protein. also the more muscle that a person has the more protein that their body will be able to utilize.

common sense tells us that a weight trainer at 200 lbs and 25% body fat needs less protein than another weight trainer at 200 lbs and 10% body fat.

and don't worry getting too big, I've never seen anyone anywhere get big by accident. it takes years of hardcore dieting and training to get massive muscles.