5 Steps to Eating More Protein

For years, the standard protein recommendation for healthy adults was 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day.

The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans now set a higher protein serving goal of 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight per day, while noting that individual needs can vary based on factors like calorie needs and activity level. For a 150-pound person, that works out to roughly 82 to 109 grams of protein per day.

If you exercise regularly, your protein needs may be higher depending on the type and amount of training you do.

If your current diet is protein-light, don’t panic. Here’s your five-step playbook for closing the gap.

5 Steps to Eating More Protein

Step #1: Get a general sense of your range

Start by thinking about how much protein you want to include at each meal, rather than trying to hit one big number at the end of the day.

For example, if your daily target is around 90-100 grams, spreading that across three meals and a snack could look like 25-30 grams at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus another 10-20 grams from a snack.

You don’t have to hit those numbers perfectly. The goal is simply to make protein a consistent part of your meals instead of something you try to squeeze in at the end of the day.

Step #2: Anchor every meal with a protein source first

Instead of building a plate around carbs and adding protein as an afterthought, flip the order. Decide on your protein first, then build the rest of the meal around it.

Easy anchors to keep on rotation:

• Eggs or egg whites

• Greek yogurt or cottage cheese

• Chicken, turkey, fish, or lean beef

• Tofu, tempeh, edamame, or lentils

• A quality protein powder for smoothies or oats

Aiming for a spread of 20 to 40 grams per meal makes it far easier to hit your daily total without one enormous dinner doing all the work.

Step #3: Make breakfast pull its weight

Breakfast is usually the biggest protein gap in a typical day. A pastry or bowl of cereal might get you 5 grams of protein, when your body could use closer to 25 to 30 grams first thing.

Simple swaps that add up fast:

• Greek yogurt with berries instead of a granola bar

• A veggie egg scramble instead of toast alone

• A protein smoothie instead of juice

Small changes at breakfast create a compounding effect across the whole day.

Step #4: Snack with intention

Most snacks are carb-heavy and protein-light, which means you’re hungry again an hour later. Reframe your snacks as mini protein deliveries instead of just something to munch on.

Go-to protein snacks worth stocking up on:

• Hard-boiled eggs

• String cheese or cottage cheese cups

• Jerky or roasted edamame

• A handful of nuts paired with fruit

This one shift alone can add 15 to 20 grams of protein a day without much extra thought.

Step #5: Pair it with movement

Protein and exercise are partners, not competitors. Resistance training in particular helps your body actually use the protein you eat to build and maintain muscle, rather than just letting it pass through.

You don’t need a two-hour gym session to make this work. Pairing a protein-forward day with a strength and/or resistance training workout gives your body a reason to put that protein to good use, whether that’s a quick 20-minute session or a full training block.

Quick Reference: Your Daily Protein Cheat Sheet

1. Target: 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight per day

2. Spread it across 3 to 4 meals for easier digestion and better muscle support

3. Protein first, always, when building a plate

4. Fix breakfast before anything else

5. Snack with purpose, not just to pass the time

Protein doesn’t have to be complicated.

Small, repeatable swaps beat a total diet overhaul every time.