How much protein do you really need?

Protein is having its moment.

Protein powders are marketed to young men who want to bulk up and to women in menopause to prevent losing muscle mass.

It’s also being added to everything from cereal to bagels, pasta and pancake mix.

And, in January, federal dietary guidelines nearly doubled the amount of protein per day Americans are recommended to consume, with a focus on meats and full-fat dairy products.

So, with all the protein hype, how much do we really need?

MPR News host Angela Davis talks about our current protein obsession along with smart and budget-friendly ways to get the nutrition we need for a healthy life.

Guests:  

• Tara Schmidt is a registered dietitian and instructor of nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She is also the lead dietitian for the Mayo Clinic Diet, host of the podcast “On Nutrition,” and co-authored “The Mayo Clinic Diet: Weight Loss Medications Edition.”  
• Aimee Tritt is a practicing dietitian in private practice. She is also a clinical assistant professor of nutrition at the University of Minnesota in the College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Science.