Quote (tommyd323 @ Aug 18 2013 08:34pm)
How much protein does a person with hardly any physical activity need per day?
I remember last year at school my biology teacher asked how much protein u need per day.
My answer was like 1/2g per lb of lean body mass.
She said no and said 30g.
Then she went on to say protein is the reason there are so many fat people, because people eat so much of it.
LMAO! Your teacher is about an intelligent as a brine shrimp.
I'm sorry, that post made my day! I am very happy you shared that with me.
This is problem with the nutrition and medical industry today. Misinformed people, such as your teacher, spew forth the most irrational idiocy told to them by textbooks, written by other equally moronic individuals.
Humans eating too much protein accounting for obesity is the most typical 1970s-1980s mainstream FDA garbage science imaginable. Remember the old Food Pyramid? With 50% of the diet being made up from carbs, and around 20% from protein? That massive idiocy is part of the government sticking their hands in science.
Anyway - here is the truth.
Protein, is the absolute MOST important macronutrient. The human body can survive on PROTEIN by itself, without the presence of fat/carbs. However, the human body will not survive well this way, and requires either fat OR carbs (but technically does not require both) in order to survive and thrive physically.
That being said, protein, as the most important macro, is also the most important to be consumed in abundance.
In sedentary humans, who simply do NOT exercise, 1g / lb of bodyweight is sensible.
For active males, engaging in weight lifting and attempting to gain muscle mass, 1.5 g / lb of bodyweight is MUCH more sensible.
Professional bodybuilders and powerlifters can take in as much as 2g / lb of bodyweight per day.
As far as fatbodies are concerned, massive doses of carbs with little protein, and no exercise is what's causing their obesity.
If you eat 2,500 cals of protein and fat, with 0g carbs - compared to 2,500 cals of ALL carbs, 30g protein, and 60g fat, you will see CONSIDERABLY larger fat gains in the second group.
It's true that total calories mean the most with regard to fat loss, however, they are not the ONLY thing that matter. High protein, lower carb, moderate fat = best overall for an average human.
However, certain body types, ie: Mesomorphs, endomorphs, and ectomorphs (and blends thereof) all handle macros differently. The mesomorph can take in more carbs and less protein and still gain muscle rapidly. However, the endomorph needs far fewer carbs, and more protein in order to stay lean. The ectomorph needs a ton of carbs/fat/protein in order to even make SOME gains.
At the end of the day, if you took 30g of protein per day every day, for a year, combined with vigorous exercise, you would either look like you had AIDS, or, if enough calories were consumed, a skinny-fat desk jockey.
Sorry for the rant!