How much protein does a person need?
From birth to 4 months of age, protein requirements are approximately 2 grams per kilogram body weight and this is taken care of through breast-feeding or an infant formula. Throughout childhood and the teen years, the requirement is between 1 to 1.5 grams per kilogram. For adults, the requirement is 1 gram of protein per kilogram body weight per day. For athletes, very active people or people experiencing severe medical trauma or burns, these requirements can increase. The average person’s protein requirements are best met by consuming 2 to 3 servings per day of lean meat or alternates and 3 to 4 servings per day of low fat milk products or alternatives. There is also some protein in grain products and a trace amount in vegetables.
