How much protein is the body capable of absorbing in one meal?

[andrew112]

How many grams of protein is the body capable of absorbing in one meal?

I currently eat about 20 grams of protein each meal and I eat about 6 times per day with 1hour 45min in between each meal. If more than 20 grams of protein is capable of being absorbed each meal then I could probably cut down the number of meals and just make them more protein abundant. Thanks for any helpful information.

[Jonathan Browne]

I'm pretty sure no one actually knows exactly how much protein the body can absorb in one meal. This sort of information is really beyond the scope of science. How are they supposed to find that out?

That being said, I have read that 35 grams of protein is about the most the body can absorb, in theory. I also notice that I can easily eat over 35 grams of hemp protein, mixed with some yogurt and 2 bananas... blend it up and drink it and I feel fantastic, not bloated at all etc. There's additional protein in the yogurt and bananas. Great way to start off the day btw. I highly recommend it. Ive noticed if you eat like this you start getting cut, stronger, more energy... without even exercising at all! Also if you put some good cocoa powder in there it makes it really easy to drink and quite pleasurable. The cocoa mixes well with hemp protein and bananas.

[andrew112]

I already consume two very good sources of protein on a daily basis: small white beans and TVP (textured vegetable protein). I eat TVP every three days and small white beans every 1st and 2nd days. I will try raising my protein consumption up to 25 grams instead of 20 grams per meal though.

The rest of my diet consists of frozen asparagus, flaxseed and two different supplements: one is called Focus Smart and the other is called Bone Up. I take one Focus Smart tablet four times a day and I take one Bone Up capsule 6 times a day. I spread them out throughout the day to increase maximum absorption.

[SirBishop]

There are so many types of protein and all have different digestion rates. Casein can take 8 hrs to fully digest where Whey can take 2-4hrs. I really wish I knew the answer to this question because after a workout I drink whey protein shakes. If I take in more protein than my body can absorb I'm literally throwing money in the trash.

[andrew112]

Originally Posted by SirBishop

There are so many types of protein and all have different digestion rates. Casein can take 8 hrs to fully digest where Whey can take 2-4hrs. I really wish I knew the answer to this question because after a workout I drink whey protein shakes. If I take in more protein than my body can absorb I'm literally throwing money in the trash.

What kind of protein is in small white beans or TVP (textured vegetable protein)? In other words, what kind of protein do legumes contain?

[LifeIsAGame420]

How much protein the body absorbs depends on the person. This value will change, even the %.

[VacMan]

You can absorb a huge deal of protein.

Bodybuilders often times eat in excess of 300 grams of protein a day.

Often times they will eat 6 or more meals a day just to help get in enough calories/protein etc.

If you divide 6 by 300 you get 50.

They don't always get 50 in per meal, so sometimes they'll get 75 or so here and 30 there.

But there's been no evidence I've seen anywhere that says you can't absorb past a certin gram limit of protein per "meal."

[JonathanBrowne]

Woah, andrew.... stay away from Textured Vegetable Protein and Beans in general. You must have serious digestive issues (Gas etc) going on right now! Textured Vegetable Protein is soy. Soy is toxic.

Beware of the toxicity of soy products

The best vegetable protein source are things like hemp protein, spiriluna, marine phytoplankton, gojji berries, rice protein, yogurt (yogurt is a live food and is fine if you are lactose intolerant or just find it to digest, usually. The bacteria digests the lactose), flaxseed etc. What you do is you buy a good plant based protein supplement. I personally use hemp protein but theres also one called Rainbow Light Protein which is a great one with a low price. It's mostly rice protein with plenty of enzymes, some additional whole foods, and herbs, and some spiriluna.

[andrew112]

Originally Posted by JonathanBrowne

Woah, andrew.... stay away from Textured Vegetable Protein and Beans in general. You must have serious digestive issues (Gas etc) going on right now! Textured Vegetable Protein is soy. Soy is toxic.

I do not have any digestive issues at all.

[JonathanBrowne]

Well it may not cause you any problems. However, in my experience and according to alot of research TVP is not very good for you. It does seem that if you eat it in moderation you'll be okay though.

[andrew112]

Originally Posted by JonathanBrowne

Well it may not cause you any problems. However, in my experience and according to alot of research TVP is not very good for you. It does seem that if you eat it in moderation you'll be okay though.

I eat TVP every third day.

[SirBishop]

Originally Posted by andrew112

What kind of protein is in small white beans or TVP (textured vegetable protein)? In other words, what kind of protein do legumes contain?

hey andrew. from my readings looks like its soy protein.

[andrew112]

Originally Posted by SirBishop

hey andrew. from my readings looks like its soy protein.

How can small white beans contain soy protein? It makes sense that soybeans or TVP, which comes from soybeans, contains soy protein, but not small white beans. Earlier you mentioned casein and whey protein, which is why I was curious as to what small white beans or TVP contained.