Protein Requirements

Daily protein target by condition, based on published clinical-nutrition guidance. Uses actual body weight unless noted otherwise — substitute IBW or AdjBW as appropriate.

Reviewed by Pooja V. Menon, Registered Dietitian · Last updated Apr 26, 2026

Inputs are saved in your browser only — clear them any time from the Tools index.

Water: ~2 L / day — including all beverages; more in heat or activity
Salt: < 5 g / day — ≈ 2 300 mg sodium; iodised salt preferred
Added sugar: < 25 g / day — < 5 % of energy; no added sugar for children under 2
Visible fat: 20–30 g / day — sedentary–moderate adult; rotate oils
Vegetables: ~400 g / day — including ≥ 100 g green leafy
Fruit: ~100 g / day — whole fruit preferred over juice
Nuts & seeds: ~30 g / day — unsalted; rotate varieties
Protein RDA: 0.83 g / kg — food-first; NIN-DGI advises against protein powders for healthy adults
Cereals: ≤ 45 % of energy — My Plate template; favour whole grains and millets

Condition / population

Reference ranges (g/kg/day)

Condition	Range	Source
Healthy adult — ICMR-NIN RDA (Indian)	0.83	ICMR-NIN. Nutrient Requirements for Indians 2020; Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024 (Guideline 8).
Healthy adult — RDA (US/WHO)	0.8	IOM DRI 2005; WHO/FAO/UNU 2007
Healthy adult — maintenance	1–1.2	Phillips et al. 2016
Older adult (≥ 65 y)	1–1.2	Bauer et al. 2013 (PROT-AGE); ICMR-NIN DGI 2024 (Guideline 16).
Older adult with acute / chronic illness	1.2–1.5	Deutz et al. 2014 (ESPEN-aligned)
Acute / chronic illness (hospitalised)	1.2–1.5	Gomes et al. 2018 (ESPEN)
Critical care	1.2–2	McClave et al. 2016 (ASPEN/SCCM)
Sarcopenia prevention	1–1.2	Morton et al. 2018; ICMR-NIN DGI 2024 (Guideline 16).
Athlete — endurance	1.2–1.4	Thomas et al. 2016 (AND/DC/ACSM)
Athlete — resistance / hypertrophy	1.4–1.6	Morton et al. 2018 meta-analysis; ICMR-NIN DGI 2024 (Guideline 8).
Pregnancy — 2nd trimester (Indian)	0.83 + 8 g	ICMR-NIN DGI 2024 (Guideline 2).
Pregnancy — 3rd trimester (Indian)	0.83 + 18 g	ICMR-NIN DGI 2024 (Guideline 2).
Lactation — 0–6 months (Indian)	0.83 + 13.6 g	ICMR-NIN DGI 2024 (Guideline 2).
Lactation — 6–12 months (Indian)	0.83 + 10.6 g	ICMR-NIN DGI 2024 (Guideline 2).
CKD stages 3–5, non-dialysis	0.55–0.6	KDOQI 2020
Chronic hemodialysis	1–1.2	KDOQI 2020
Peritoneal dialysis	1–1.2	KDOQI 2020
Cancer (oncology nutrition)	1–1.5	Muscaritoli et al. 2021 (ESPEN)
Burn injury (adult)	1.5–2	Rousseau et al. 2013 (ESPEN burns)

Notes

For adults with a BMI ≥ 30, use IBW or adjusted body weight as the denominator — actual body weight overestimates lean mass and inflates targets.
Spread protein across 3–4 meals at ~0.4 g/kg per meal for muscle-protein synthesis (Morton 2018, Moore 2015).
Renal and hepatic patients need individualised targets from the treating team.