1) Protein in a Vegetarian Diet Eric is 21 years old and weighs 165 lbs

1) Protein in a Vegetarian Diet

Eric is 21 years old and weighs 165 lbs.  He recently stopped eating meat because he thought it would make his diet healthier.  Now, he has become concerned that his vegetarian diet may not be as healthy as he thought.  Eric recorded his food intake for one day and analyzed it in i-Profile.  His analysis revealed that his diet provided 2800 calories, 72 g of protein, and 41 g of saturated fat.

1. The RDA for protein is 0.8 g of protein per kg of body weight.  Calculate Eric’s RDA for protein. 

2. Does Eric’s diet provide enough protein to meet the RDA?

3. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, what is the maximum percentage of calories from saturated fat that is recommended for a healthy diet?   

4. In Eric’s diet analysis, what percentage of his calories came from saturated fat? 

5. How does Eric’s saturated fat intake compare to the recommendation for saturated fat?

6. On the day that Eric analyzed his food intake, he ate his typical lunch consisting of a grilled cheese sandwich and chips.  Why is this menu high in saturated fat?

7.  To reduce his saturated fat intake, Eric wants to try a vegan lunch.  Suggest a vegan sandwich for Simon that makes use of complementary plant proteins.

1. Protein in Sports/Athletics

Jonathan is a body builder who weighs 195 lbs.  He is concerned about his protein intake. 

1. The protein recommendation for strength athletes is 1.2 to 2.0 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. Calculate the amount of protein that Jonathan needs to consume to meet the recommendation for strength athletes.

2. Jonathan consumes about 3500 calories a day and 15% of his calories come from protein.   Calculate the number of grams of protein and compare it to the recommended protein range that you determined for 2.A. Would this meet Jonathan’s protein needs? 

3. If 15% of Jonathan’s calories come from protein, but he reduces his calorie intake to 2500 calories a day, will he meet his protein needs?  (How many grams of protein would he be consuming?)  2500 x

2. Protein Used for Energy  

Kayla consumes about 120 grams of protein each day.  Of this, about 30 g is broken down and used to make ATP, and 30 g is used to synthesize (make) body fat.  What does this tell you about Kayla’s protein and energy intake?