How Much Protein Do You Need Per Day?

A practical protein intake guide for gym-goers - common g per kg ranges, how to set a daily target, and when to adjust based on training and goals.

In short

Most active adults do well with roughly 1.6-2.2 g protein per kg body weight per day. Set your target with a protein calculator, spread intake across meals, and adjust if recovery or hunger feels off after 2-4 weeks.

Protein supports muscle repair, satiety, and recovery - but you do not need extreme numbers to make progress.

Step 1 - Use a body-weight range

For most people who train 3-5 days per week:

GoalCommon range
Fat loss1.8-2.2 g per kg
Maintenance1.6-2.0 g per kg
Muscle gain1.8-2.2 g per kg

Heavier training volume or very low calories may push you toward the upper end. Sedentary beginners can start closer to 1.6 g per kg.

Use the protein calculator for a starting number.

Step 2 - Spread protein across meals

You do not need 50 g in one sitting. Aim for 25-45 g per meal depending on body size:

  • Breakfast: eggs, yogurt, or protein shake
  • Lunch: chicken, tofu, legumes, or fish
  • Dinner: lean meat, seafood, or tempeh
  • Snacks: cottage cheese, nuts, or a bar when needed

Repeatable meals make daily protein easier to hit.

Step 3 - Match protein to your calorie target

Protein works best alongside a clear calorie goal from your TDEE estimate:

  • Cutting: higher protein can help preserve muscle and manage hunger
  • Bulking: protein stays important, but total calories drive weight gain
  • Recomp: consistency on protein and training matters more than perfect macros

Use the macro calculator to split remaining calories between carbs and fat.

Step 4 - Adjust every 2-4 weeks

Review trends, not single days:

  • Recovery between sessions
  • Gym performance (reps, loads)
  • Hunger and energy

If recovery is poor on a cut, protein is already high, and sleep is solid, consider a small calorie adjustment before raising protein further.

Track protein next to your training

When protein logs and workout history are separated, it is harder to connect diet changes to gym results. Refyuel Health OS keeps nutrition and training in one app for simpler weekly reviews.

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*Educational content only - not medical or dietetic advice. See our health disclaimer.*

Frequently asked questions

What is Refyuel Health OS?

Health OS is Refyuel’s mobile fitness app for iOS and Android. It combines workout planning and set logging with meal and macro tracking, lifestyle Habits, and progress review (history, PRs, trends).

What features are in Health OS?

Workouts (templates, set logging, rest timers, Warmup/Main/Cooldown), nutrition (food search, meals, calories and macros), Habits (daily check-ins, streaks, guided programs), and progress (session history, personal records, weight trends, workout frequency), plus For You tips and wins.

Where is Health OS available on the App Store?

Health OS is on the App Store in Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, the UAE, the United Kingdom, and the United States. We plan to expand to more countries soon. Open the App Store listing.

Is Health OS free?

Yes. Core workout, nutrition, and Habits logging are free at launch. Advanced features may be added later as optional upgrades.

How do I get started?

On the web, answer a few questions, create your account, and get a matched plan via Get started. Then open the Health OS app to train, log nutrition, and use Habits.

Do I log workouts on the website?

No. The website is for setup and creating your account. Daily workouts, nutrition, and Habits happen in the Health OS app.

Can I use only workouts or only nutrition?

Yes. Use workouts, nutrition, or Habits on their own, or combine them for a full train-and-fuel day.

Where do I download the app?

Health OS is on the App Store in Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, the UAE, the United Kingdom, and the United States — expanding soon — and on Google Play. Create your account first via Get started, then open the app.

How do I delete my account?

Delete from Profile → Settings in the app, or follow the steps on our delete account page. Confirmed deletions are purged within 30 days.

Get started with Health OS

On the web: answer a few questions and create your account. Workouts and nutrition live in the Health OS app on Android or iOS.

Get started

Or download: Google Play · App Store