Literature reference
Protein on GLP-1: published-guidance reference math
Up to half of weight loss on GLP-1 medications can be non-fat tissue (lean mass and water) per SURMOUNT-1 and STEP-1 DXA data. Published guidance on protein intake while losing weight (ESPEN clinical-nutrition consensus, PROT-AGE study group) sits in the 1.2 to 1.8 g/kg/day range depending on activity and age. This page is editorial commentary on that published literature, not individual clinical advice. Your prescriber and dietitian set the protein target that fits your specific clinical picture. The tool below applies the published ranges to a weight you enter so you can see the math, nothing more.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Body weight entered | 70 kg |
| Activity bracket selected | Light resistance training (literature midpoint 1.4 to 1.6 g/kg/day) |
| Lower bound: 70 kg × 1.4 g/kg | 98 g protein per day |
| Upper bound: 70 kg × 1.6 g/kg | 112 g protein per day |
| Range the tool shows | 98 to 112 g per day |
| Sedentary bracket (1.2 to 1.4 g/kg) at 70 kg | 84 to 98 g per day |
| Heavy resistance bracket (1.6 to 1.8 g/kg) at 70 kg | 112 to 126 g per day |
Source: ESPEN clinical-nutrition consensus and PROT-AGE published ranges, applied by this page's calculator
Reference math only, applied to the default input. This is not an individual target and not clinical advice. Your prescriber and dietitian set the protein intake that fits your clinical picture.
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### Worked example: published ranges applied to the default 70 kg input | Item | Value | | --- | --- | | Body weight entered | 70 kg | | Activity bracket selected | Light resistance training (literature midpoint 1.4 to 1.6 g/kg/day) | | Lower bound: 70 kg × 1.4 g/kg | 98 g protein per day | | Upper bound: 70 kg × 1.6 g/kg | 112 g protein per day | | Range the tool shows | 98 to 112 g per day | | Sedentary bracket (1.2 to 1.4 g/kg) at 70 kg | 84 to 98 g per day | | Heavy resistance bracket (1.6 to 1.8 g/kg) at 70 kg | 112 to 126 g per day | Source: ESPEN clinical-nutrition consensus and PROT-AGE published ranges, applied by this page's calculator Reference math only, applied to the default input. This is not an individual target and not clinical advice. Your prescriber and dietitian set the protein intake that fits your clinical picture.
“These figures are population-level ranges from published guidance, applied mechanically to a body weight. They take no account of kidney function, age, appetite suppression on treatment, or training history, all of which change what is appropriate for an individual. Use the output to understand the published literature, and confirm any actual intake target with your prescriber or a registered dietitian.”
How to actually hit the number
- · When appetite is suppressed by GLP-1 medication, getting protein from solid food alone can be difficult. A whey or vegan protein supplement (1 to 2 scoops in milk, water, or kefir) is one practical option. Your prescriber and dietitian set the plan that fits your dose and clinical picture.
- · Greek yogurt 0%, cottage cheese, tinned tuna, eggs, tofu, lentils all give 14 to 25 g per serving. See the food list on GLP-1 and protein.
- · Protein bars are 15 to 20 g each but typically come with sugar and added calories. Whole-food + clean shake usually beats two bars per day.
- · Resistance training is the second lever. Without it, even on-target protein cannot fully prevent lean mass loss in a steep calorie deficit.