How much food from the Protein Foods Group is needed daily?
Posted by Sahan Asad on
How much food from the Protein Foods Group is needed daily?
The amount of protein foods you need to eat depends on age, sex, and level of physical activity. The amount each person needs can vary between 2 and 6½ ounce-equivalents each day. Those who are very physically active may need more. Most Americans eat enough food from this group but need to make leaner and more varied selections of these foods. Recommended daily amounts are shown in the table below.
DAILY PROTEIN FOODS TABLE
|
Daily Recommendation* in Ounce-Equivalents (oz-equiv) |
||
|
Children |
2-3 years 4-8 years |
2 oz-equiv 4 oz-equiv |
|
Girls |
9-13 years 14-18 years |
5 oz-equiv 5 oz-equiv |
|
Boys |
9-13 years 14-18 years |
5 oz-equiv 6½ oz-equiv |
|
Women |
19-30 years 31-50 years 51+ years |
5½ oz-equiv 5 oz-equiv 5 oz-equiv |
|
Men |
19-30 years 31-50 years 51+ years |
6½ oz-equiv 6 oz-equiv 5½ oz-equiv |
*These amounts are appropriate for individuals who get less than 30 minutes per day of moderate physical activity, beyond normal daily activities. Those who are more physically active may be able to consume more while staying within calorie needs.