There is a lot of talk these days about protein - whether it be for you on a diet, or your extremely active child on the soccer team.
So why not spend a day or even a week counting what's on your kitchen table for the family?
Protein requirements are complicated because the amount we need changes with age-- so here's a look:
Infants require about 10 grams a day.
Teenage boys need up to 52 grams a day.
Teenage girls need 46 grams a day.
Adult men need about 56 grams a day.
Adult women need about 46 grams a day.
Another way to count protein requirements is as a percentage of calories.
The "My Pyramid" plan suggests that protein make up between 17% to 21% percent of total calories.
Studies show less than 20 percent of most populations get the protein they need, so eat up!
