If you’re looking to optimize your protein intake, it might be time to rethink your timing. Long Island-based registered dietitian Jillian Kubala shares insights on the best times to consume protein to help you achieve your health goals, whether you’re aiming to lose weight, build muscle, prevent muscle loss, or improve exercise recovery.
“Protein is composed of amino acids, which are essential for crucial processes such as immune function, neurotransmitter and hormone synthesis, and muscle growth,” Kubala explained in an article for Health.com.
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight, or 0.36 grams per pound. For a 150-pound person, this translates to 54 grams of protein per day.
However, athletes and bodybuilders, particularly those on a cutting diet to lose body fat while maintaining muscle mass, require higher protein intake to support muscle repair and growth. Given that protein accounts for more than 80% of the dry weight of muscle, timing your protein consumption around your workouts and throughout the day can be key to reaching your fitness goals.
