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The FDA recommend that adults consume 50 grams (g) of protein a day, as part of a 2,000-calorie diet. A person’s daily value may be higher or lower depending on their calorie intake.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015–2020 provide the following recommended daily amounts (RDA) for protein by sex and age group:
| Age |
Protein RDA |
| child aged 1–3 |
13 g |
| child aged 4–8 |
19 g |
| child aged 9–13 |
34 g |
| female teen aged 14–18 |
46 g |
| male teen aged 14–18 |
52 g |
| female adult aged 19+ |
46 g |
| male adult aged 19+ |
56 g |
Many factors can affect how much protein a person needs, including their activity level, weight, height, and whether they are pregnant.
Other variables include the proportion of amino acids available in specific protein foods and the digestibility of individual amino acids. *
