Is 100 Grams Too Much Protein?

Maximum Safe Amount

Although there’s no tolerable upper intake level for protein, a review published in a 2006 edition of the “International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism” reports that it’s safe to consume up to 2.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight each day -- about 1.14 grams of protein per pound of body weight. Therefore, even a petite woman who weighs 100 pounds can safely eat up to 114 grams of protein per day.

Concerns

For some people, 100 grams of protein per day is too much—and can be dangerous. People with chronic kidney disease, who are not on dialysis, may have to reduce their protein intake to 1 gram per kilogram of body weight -- about 0.45 grams of protein per pound of body weight each day, according to MedlinePlus. Therefore, a petite woman with kidney disease and not on dialysis weighing 100 pounds can safely consume up to 45 grams of protein per day.

Recommended Amounts

Most adults—even athletes—only need up to 2.0 grams of protein per pound of body weight each day. A position statement published in a 2007 edition of the “Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition” reports that protein intakes of 1.4 to 2.0 grams per kilogram of body weight are safe and can optimize athletic performance in people who exercise regularly; this amount of protein equals 0.64 to 0.91 grams of protein per pound of body weight each day, or 77 to 109 grams of protein per day for a 120-pound woman who exercises regularly. The Institute of Medicine recommends healthy women eat at least 46 grams of protein and men consume a minimum of 56 grams of protein each day.

Protein in Foods

You can reach 100 grams of protein pretty easily by eating several high-protein foods during the course of the day. For example, eating 3 ounces of chicken breast, 3 ounces of lean ground beef, 1 cup of low-fat cottage cheese, 1 cup of low-fat yogurt and two eggs provides you with about 101 grams of protein, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Other high-protein foods include fish, seafood, turkey, seitan, soy products, low-fat milk, reduced-fat cheese, legumes, nuts, seeds and peanut butter.