Research

Macro partitioning

Physique athletes should consume 1.8-2.7 g/kg/day of protein (up to 3.5 g/kg for hunger mitigation) to preserve lean mass and manage satiety during caloric deficits.

Aim for 1.8 to 2.7 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily. If you are struggling with hunger during your diet, you can safely increase this to 3.5 g/kg, provided you still eat enough carbohydrates and fats to train effectively. Spread this protein across 4-5 meals, ensuring one is near your workout and one before sleep.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
we recommend 1.8-2.7 g/kg/day, or up to 3.5 g/kg/day for those specifically attempting to mitigate hunger, so long as such high intake does not displace fat or carbohydrate in the diet to a degree that it impairs performance.
Brandon M. Roberts et al. · Journal of Human Kinetics · 2020

Why this rating

Based on meta-analyses and specific intervention studies in athletes, though observational data shows wide variability.

Source

Nutritional Recommendations for Physique Athletes

Brandon M. Roberts et al. · Journal of Human Kinetics · 2020

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