'I'm a nutritionist and protein is key for weight loss - this is exactly how much you should eat a day'

Woman slim / high protein foods

An expert shares how much protein to eat every day

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Sarra Gray

By Sarra Gray


Published: 15/07/2024

- 15:58

Updated: 15/07/2024

- 15:59

Eating foods high in protein is great when trying to lose weight and build muscle

Protein is great for weight loss in many ways. It can suppress your appetite and it helps you to build and maintain muscle mass.

How much protein you should eat every day is often up for debate, but an expert has shared advice to help you figure out how much to eat depending on your lifestyle and goals.


A high-protein diet can work wonders if you want to eat fewer calories and fuel your body after a workout.

Speaking exclusively to GB News, a qualified nutritionist for Myprotein Jamie Wright said the best amount of protein to eat every day.

Various kinds of vegan protein sources on beige backgroundSeeds, nuts and legumes are high in protein and fibre GETTY

He said: "[You should] definitely eat more than the government recommendations which, personally, I feel are very outdated.

"Most people would experience enormous benefits if they could increase their protein intake to somewhere between 1.2g of protein per kg of body weight and 2g of protein per kg of body weight.

"Go anywhere within this range, but aiming for the higher ends may be best for most who are concerned with weight management or muscle building."

The average British woman weighed 71.8kg (around 11st) in 2021, according to Statista, so they could aim for around 140 grams of protein a day to help on their weight loss journey, for example.

Jamie explained this is great for weight loss and for maintaining muscle mass that we naturally lose as we age.

He continued: "At the lower end, you may see some positive benefit for weight management but an intake of at least this amount is beneficial for reducing the impact of age-related loss of lean muscle mass - a very important factor for reducing risk of falling, frailty and all-cause mortality.

"Scaling up to 1.6g of protein per kg of body weight may be better for weight loss and it assists with muscular development. Moving closer to 2g of protein per kg of body weight may be best for muscular development, especially if you are a more active person, training multiple times a week or competing in sports."

There are many natural sources of protein to choose from, such as meat, fish, seeds and nuts. Supplements are also available, like Myvegan's new Plant Based Superblend Range that includes Clear Protein Superblend and the Plant Protein Superblend, made from upcycled barley.

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Adding protein to every meal is good for weight loss

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Another way to slim down without drastically changing what you eat is to look at portion sizes, according to one expert.

They said that for those who already follow a balanced diet, eating portions that are too big, or eating beyond fullness, may be why they are struggling to lose weight.

When sharing advice on how to burn fat, the personal trainer said: "[Remember] portion control and mindful eating.

"Watching food portion sizes can make it easier to manage calorie surplus. Mindful eating helps an individual recognise hunger and fullness cues."

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