By Jeff Novick, M.S., R.D.

Protein is one of the most misunderstood nutrients in our diets today. While it receives an incredible amount of attention, little of it is justified.

In today’s society, people seem very concerned about making sure they are getting enough protein; so much so, you would think that protein deficiency is a common problem. Protein, specifically animal protein (meat, fish, chicken), remains the center of the plate for most meals in this country, both at home and in restaurants.

However, true protein deficiency, in the absence of inadequate calories or a highly refined and highly processed junk-food diet (which has more serious problems than a lack of protein), is virtually non-existent — even in athletes and those who are more active and exercise more.

When people express their concerns over getting enough protein, I always ask them two questions:

1.  How much protein do you actually need?

2.  How much protein are you actually getting?  

Rarely has anyone been able to answer either, let alone both, of these questions. Doesn’t that seem strange?  Many people believe they are not getting enough protein but no one knows how much they need or how much they are getting.  After all, without knowing this information, how can anyone know their diet isn’t providing “enough”?

A recent study came out that highlighted some of these perception problems that exist in regard to protein and our actual needs.  Now, if anyone should know their protein needs, it should be athletes, especially collegiate strength-trained athletes.  So, let’s see how they did.

In this study, forty-two strength-trained collegiate male athletes were surveyed to find out their perception about their protein needs in specific quantitative terms. Their responses were compared to the recommended daily intake of protein, which is 0.8 g/kg/day.

The results showed that 67 percent of the athletes surveyed did not know what the protein recommendations for athletes are and were unable to express them in any quantitative way. The remaining 33 percent of the athletes (who said they did know the amount recommended) indicated that the average recommended protein intake for athletes was 21.5 g/kg/day.

This is 26 times the recommended daily intake!

One subject reported the mean recommended protein intake as 200 g/kg/day, which is 250 times the recommended daily intake!

When this subject was excluded from the results, the average recommended protein intake reported was still 8.7 g/kg/day.

This is almost 11 times the recommended daily intake!

Clearly, we have some perception problems with regard to protein.  Even these collegiate strength-trained athletes were unaware of what the current recommendations are for protein intake and perceived their own protein needs to be much greater than the current recommendations.

Yet, nature has made sure we are protected against a protein deficiency, as all whole grains, starchy vegetables, vegetables, and legumes are all excellent sources of high-quality protein. Legumes may be one of the best sources of protein as they are not only rich in fiber, high in nutrients and very filling, they are also very low in saturated fat and have no cholesterol. Based on most national health recommendations, which encourage us to eat a more plant-based diet and cut back on cholesterol and saturated fat, they sound like the perfect fit.

So, let’s put protein in its proper perspective.

It is very easy to get enough protein and impossible not to if you follow these three simple guidelines:

1.  Make sure you consume enough calories  to maintain a healthy weight.

2. Eat a variety of whole, natural foods including plenty of vegetables, starchy vegetables, intact whole grains and legumes. 

3.  Greatly limit or eliminate junk foods.

If you do, you will easily surpass the amount of protein you need, even if you are an athlete, and even if you include no animal protein. However, if you still want to focus on protein, focus on legumes and getting in at least one to three servings per day or more (a serving is one half cup of cooked beans).

Simply put, getting enough protein is not a concern or a health issue for most of us.

So, let’s focus our attention where it is really needed.   Let’s focus on the real health issue of increasing our consumption of fruits, vegetables, starchy vegetables, whole grains and legumes and reducing the amount of highly processed, highly refined junk foods and animal products.   In doing so, not only will we get enough protein, we will also get enough fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytochmecials. This way, we can help reduce our own risks for, and the national epidemics of, obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and many cancers.