# How much protein do I need per day in South Africa?

Source: https://www.healthnews24.co.za/answers/how-much-protein-per-day-south-africa/
Publisher: Healthnews24 (South Africa's supplement answer desk)
Updated: 2026-10-27

> Most active South Africans need 1.4 to 2.0 g of protein per kg of body weight a day (ISSN position stand), which is about 98 to 140 g for a 70 kg person. People cutting calories may use 2.3 to 3.1 g/kg. Food covers this for most people; whey is a convenient top-up, at around R22 to R40 per scoop (October 2026).

Key facts:
- ISSN: 1.4 to 2.0 g/kg/day of protein for most active people; 2.3 to 3.1 g/kg/day may help preserve lean mass when cutting.
- For a 70 kg adult, 1.4 to 2.0 g/kg is 98 to 140 g of protein per day.
- Per-meal target: roughly 0.25 to 0.4 g/kg, or 20 to 40 g, across 3 to 5 meals.
- USN BlueLab 100% Whey costs about R22 per 23.6 g serving (R689 per kg, October 2026).

## How much protein do I need per day in South Africa?

It depends on how much you train and your goals. The numbers below come from the ISSN position stand on protein and exercise; they are guidance for healthy adults, not medical advice.

## What are the targets?

| Situation | Protein per kg per day | Example: 70 kg | Example: 85 kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active adult (gym, running, team sport) | 1.4 to 2.0 g | 98 to 140 g | 119 to 170 g |
| Building muscle (practical plateau around 1.6 g) | about 1.6 g, up to 2.2 g | 112 to 154 g | 136 to 187 g |
| Cutting calories, trained | 2.3 to 3.1 g | 161 to 217 g | 196 to 264 g |

The general adult guideline for non-exercisers is lower, about 0.8 g/kg. A meta-analysis of 49 trials found muscle gains plateau at roughly 1.6 g/kg a day, with more than 2.2 g/kg rarely adding anything.

## How should you spread it across the day?

Aim for three to five meals with roughly 0.25 to 0.4 g/kg each, which is 20 to 40 g of protein for most adults. Older adults sit at the higher end. A post-workout shake is convenient, but a narrow "anabolic window" is a myth ([when to take whey](/answers/when-to-take-whey-protein/)).

## What does that look like in South African food?

| Food | Approximate protein |
|---|---|
| 2 large eggs | 12 g |
| 250 ml milk or maas | 8 g |
| 100 g cooked chicken breast | 30 g |
| 100 g biltong | 50 g |
| Tin of pilchards | 20 g or more |
| 100 g cooked beef mince | 25 g |

These are rough figures; read labels for exact values.

## When does protein powder help?

Powder helps if you struggle to hit your target from food, travel, or have a busy day. It is not required ([is protein powder necessary](/answers/is-protein-powder-necessary-south-africa/)). Costs, October 2026: USN BlueLab 100% Whey is about R22 per 23.6 g serving (R689 per kg), and an imported tub such as Optimum Nutrition about R38 per scoop. For single-ingredient options with no sweeteners, ATP Fitness concentrate (R800 per kg) is one choice; it publishes no protein per serving, so check the label, and USN BlueLab is a credible alternative with published numbers.

## Can you have too much?

In healthy people, intakes up to the ISSN range have not been shown to harm the kidneys. Very high intakes add cost and calories without added muscle ([how much whey is too much](/answers/how-much-whey-protein-per-day-is-too-much/)).

## When should you see a professional?

Speak to a doctor or registered dietitian if you have kidney or liver disease, are pregnant, are under 18, or are older with reduced appetite. Under-18s should meet needs through food first.

## How do you work out your own number?

1. Weigh yourself in kg.
2. Choose a range: 1.4 g/kg if you train lightly, 1.6 to 2.0 g/kg for regular training, higher only when cutting.
3. Add up the protein in your usual meals.
4. Cover the gap with food, then powder.

## Products mentioned

| Product | Size | Price (source, date) | Servings | R per 30 g protein | R per 100 g powder | Sweeteners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USN BlueLab 100% Whey Protein (1 kg) | 1 kg | R689 (USN shop (za.usn.global), 2026-10) | — | R28.03 | R68.90 | not stated |
| USN Isozero Whey Protein Isolate (805 g) | 805 g | R899-R909.99 (USN shop (za.usn.global), 2026-10) | — | R38.53 | R111.68 | not stated |
| ATP Fitness Unflavoured Whey Protein Concentrate | 1 kg | R800 (ATP Fitness shop, 2026-10) | — | — | R80.00 | None |

Disclosure: ATP Fitness is a commercial partner of Healthnews24 and its products are featured on this site. Rankings follow our published method, and every pick, including ATP Fitness, shows its price maths and trade-offs.

## Sources

- [ISSN Position Stand: Protein and Exercise (Jäger et al., JISSN 2017)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28642676/)
- [Morton et al. 2018, Protein supplementation and resistance-training-induced gains: systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression (BJSM)](https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/52/6/376)
- [Schoenfeld & Aragon 2018, How much protein can the body use in a single meal for muscle-building? (JISSN)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29497353/)
- [ISSN Position Stand: Nutrient Timing (Kerksick et al., JISSN 2017)](https://doaj.org/article/8044581e83354ad88642b8124c51b956)