Health & Wellness > Dairy Proteins (Whey & Milk)

Protein Throughout the Day

Protein throughout the dayDairy foods and ingredients can help people optimize the health and wellness benefits of high-quality protein. Recent research suggests it is important that people not only pay attention to protein quantity and quality, but also to protein intake timing.

The key is to balance protein intake throughout the day in portions that the body can use. There is an upper limit to the amount of protein that can be absorbed or used by the body at one time. Eat too little and you may miss the benefits of a higher protein diet, but eat too much and you may be simply taking in excess calories without the added benefits.

Many Americans consume the least amount of protein at breakfast and with snacking, a modest amount during lunch and an overload at dinner. Similarly, a lower protein, heavier carbohydrate breakfast is popular in many other countries, too. However, experts suggest that people more evenly space out their protein intake throughout the day and aim for 20-30 grams of high-quality varieties, like dairy foods and products made with whey and milk proteins, at each meal.