• Home
  • About Me
    • Press & Media
    • TV & Local Appearances
  • Blog
    • Baby
    • Beauty
    • Fit Family
    • Fit Travel
    • Free Sample Workouts
    • Lifestyle
    • Nutrition
    • Postpartum Workouts
    • Pregnancy
    • Running
    • Yoga
  • Shop My Looks
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About Me
    • Press & Media
    • TV & Local Appearances
  • Blog
    • Baby
    • Beauty
    • Fit Family
    • Fit Travel
    • Free Sample Workouts
    • Lifestyle
    • Nutrition
    • Postpartum Workouts
    • Pregnancy
    • Running
    • Yoga
  • Shop My Looks
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Search

Cari Fit

Cari Fit

Fitness Advice, Workout Tips, and Inspiration

How Much Protein Do I Need?

Each week, the winner of the ExerciseTV and SocialWorkout challenge gets to ask me their top 3 fitness questions and help me chose a topic/exercise for an upcoming video. I thought I’d share the question I got from last week’s winner, because it’s one I get a lot. I think many people are confused about how much protein they need. So…here is my advice:

Question:
“I have been dying to find out the answer to this question: what are the pros and cons of protein bars and protein shakes. I use carnation breakfast essentials and also a protein powder. I want to keep my daily protein at 80 grams and I don’t each much meat. I find the little extra protein drink helps me reach my daily goal. Am I wasting my time? Should I find a different protein source. I already have lots of high protein foods in my daily diet. (greek yogurt, cottage cheese, almonds, soy milk, veggie sausage patties, fish or turkey or chicken for dinner, oatmeal, wheat germ, etc.)” 

My Answer:
This is a great question Mindy! First of all – I would say that you might want to consult with a DR or RD to see exactly how much protein (and other nutrients) your body is lacking and requires. But, by the sound of it – you are probably already getting more than enough. Everyone has kinda been going through a protein craze over the last few years, but the truth is that most people don’t need as much as they think. However, if you are trying to lose body fat, train for a figure/fitness competition or get more of a lean look…then you should have more protein than the average person. But, at a certain point – the extra protein is just converted to waste anyway because your body doesn’t need it. For most people that workout and are active – you can get by with eating about 0.3-0.6g per pound of body weight. For instance – if you weigh 130lbs you would will be fine staying between 39-50g protein a day. Also, another way to look at it is if you eat 2,000 calories a day – about 10%-15% of that needs to come from protein – so 200 calories worth or 50grams (protein has 4 calories per gram).

Now to specifically address your question…protein bars and shakes can be beneficial and I use them myself (I don’t meat, but do eat fish, eggs and dairy). But, not all are created equal. Look for ones that have the most “bang for your buck” and have higher protein but less calories, fat and sugar. Try to make your shakes yourself so you can monitor the ingredients (a lot of “smoothie” places use too much sugar and chemicals). But, that’s great that you aren’t just relying on shakes and bars, although they can be good when you are in a hurry or can’t make something. All the sources you listed above are great for protein…so keep mixing them into your diet! Don’t forget other veggies (like sweet potatoes), quinoa and beans – they are all great sources.

you’ll also love

School Lunches…Worse Than Prison Food?
My Favorite High-Protein Snacks
Lighter Thanksgiving Recipes

About Me

About Me
Cari Shoemate

Hi! I'm Cari! I'm a fitness star turned Mom of 3 who lives in Houston, TX. Getting fit and healthy is a journey and one I understand well. After graduating from college I worked in a corporate setting for many years and gained a lot of weight and had an unhealthy lifestyle. Finally, after I had enough - I decided to regain my healthy lifestyle that I had in college by fitting in workouts and eating healthier. Eventually, I left my corporate job to become a full-time personal trainer and group fitness instructor. I also created Bombshell Bootcamp over 10 years ago and it has become one of Houston's top bootcamps! My passion then turned into greater opportunities to write workouts for national magazines, appear on tv doing workouts and speaking about healthy and fitness, making fitness DVD's and working with many celebrities. Fast forward a few years....and then I had my first baby! I'm now a Mom of 3 little ones and try to incorporate healthy living and exercise in our family's lives. Not only do I still blog about workouts and fitness, but I have shifted some to include family fitness, family travel, fashion, health/beauty and general lifestyle.

General

My Top 3 Family-Friendly Texas Resorts

If you are looking to plan a fun family getaway for this Memorial Day weekend or a summer trip – search no more. Here are my favorite family-friendly resorts in…

Read More

Free Sample Workouts, Press, Training Tips

Old-School Bodybuilding Chest Workout – Featured in Oxygen Magazine

I’ve been a little MIA on the blog just due to life and baby #3! However, I did recently work with Oxygen Magazine to create this really great chest workout…

Read More

Fit Travel, Lifestyle

Family Travel Review – Margaritaville Lake Conroe

My family and I just got back from a super fun staycation at the Margaritaville Resort at Lake Conroe, TX. It’s perfect for families in the Houston area that want…

Read More

Free Sample Workouts, Press

Weighted HIIT Workout Featured in Oxygen Magazine

HIIT your body from head to toe in 40 minutes with this minimal-equipment, maximum-results workout. High-intensity interval training “HIIT for short” isn’t just a cardio phenomenon.This training style, which intersperses…

Read More

Next Post >

Erica Rose’s Trainer Speaks Out About Bachelor Pad

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • Baby
  • Beauty
  • celebrity workouts
  • Challenges
  • events
  • Fit Family
  • Fit Travel
  • Food
  • Free Sample Workouts
  • General
  • Get Fit Done
  • Giveaways!
  • Holiday Favorites 2018
  • Lifestyle
  • Nutrition
  • Postpartum Workouts
  • Pregnancy
  • Press
  • Products
  • Recipes
  • Reviews
  • Running
  • success stories
  • Training Tips
  • transformations
  • TV & Local Appearances
  • Videos
  • What Does My Trainer Eat?
  • Yoga

 

Loading Comments...