Protein obsession: 1gm/kg of bodyweight

The ideal amount of protein prescribed is 1 gram per kg ideal body weight as per the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of the National Institute of Nutrition.

There are various classes of society which are taking different levels.

A. The middle-aged, who take balanced meals according to traditional diets. They reach at least 90 per cent of the RDA
B. Those due to both partners working have moved to convenience foods and mixed rice. They fall deficient of almost 30 gm from the RDA, which amounts to 50 per cent less than the RDA.
C. Those who have moved to the junk food culture. They also have only 20 gm per day or less, which is only 1/3 of the quantity required.
D. Gym goers or marathon runners. Trainers are asking them to have whey protein plus egg whites plus non-veg. This category of people is moving to very high levels of protein intake. Almost 1.5 times of the quantity required. This is worrying as the Indian population has not been used to such large quantities. These people do exercise in fits and starts but continue to take very high levels of protein.
E. Weight watchers who follow the keto diet and go on high protein and high fat diet. They also derive almost 40 per cent of the calories from protein. This is also not good.

(Dr Dharini Krishnan, Consultant Dietitian and Director, D.V. Living Sciences Enterprise Pvt. Ltd.)