Protein absorbed per meal?

[Govtgirl]

I have heard that your body can only absorb so much protein per meal, and that makes sense to me, but I've heard the numbers range anywhere from 25-50 grams. That's a whole lot of leeway!

I'm a vegetarian trying to "up" protein in my diet, and have been doing shakes in the morning that come to 30 grams of protein. I'd like to bump it up to 40 or 50 so that I'm covered, but don't want to waste it. I wonder, could I do 25 grams when I wake up before I workout, then 25 more 2 hours later before I leave for work?

Does anyone have a true knowledge of this, or can point me to a nutritional resource that would be dependable? I've been Googling like mad, but all I can find is things that go "they say" you shouldn't do this, etc. Nothing that's scientific. Thanks!

 

[farrahalex]

In the Eat Clean Diet Cookbook they say that the average body can only absorb 25 grams of protein. The extra is stored as fat. I don't know if Tosca Reno is qualified to say that or who she found that was qualified to give her that info. I also read it somewhere else the other day but I am drawing a blank. So I have heard this but I don't know if it is very reliable.

Farrah

 

[Ginny V]

Maybe this will help. I don't know how different requirements are between men & women.
http://www.strengthcats.com/NNprotein-faq.htm

 

[atiman]

I've read anywhere from 20-25grams at a time. I eat this way when I eat 5 meals a day.


Namita

 

[banslug]

I shoot for 20 grams per meal, 5-6 times per day. I balance that out with 20 grams of carbs per meal also.

Gayle

 

[pebblesus]

Excellent Question!!

I have asked this myself in the past on the forums and never got an answer.

Obviously the amount of protein you can absorb is based on size, muscle mass etc.. but I don't know the facts and statistics on it.

I don't like to go past 35g's (usually prefer 25-30, spaced at least 1.5 hours apart).

Beyond that I just feel bloated and fat

Which brings me to another question I was going to post (we'll see if I get an answer here).. I had a personal trianer tell me a few years ago that protein powders start losing their effect as soon as they hit liquid? Is this true??

Since then I have chugged my shakes right after making them and if I bring them to work, I have the milk and powder seperate..