Contemporary Nutrition 3rd Edition by Gordon Wardlaw, Anne Smith, Angela Collene

Exercise 15

Evaluating Protein Intake-A Case Study
Mark is a college student who has been lifting weights at the student recreation center. The trainer at the center recommended a protein drink to help Mark build muscle mass. Answer the following questions about Mark's current food intake and determine whether a protein drink is needed to supplement Mark's diet.
1. The following is a tally of yesterday's intake.
Evaluate Mark's diet using NutritionCalc Plus-is he meeting the minimum recommendations of MyPlate's Daily Food Plan for his calorie needs?
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2. Mark's weight has been stable at 70 kilograms (154 pounds). Determine his protein needs based on the RDA (0.8 grams per kilogram).
a. Mark's estimated protein RDA: __________________________________________________
b. What are the maximum recommendations for protein intake for strength-training athletes (see p. 423)? _________________________________________________________________________
c. Calculate the maximum protein recommendation for Mark. ____________________________
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3. An analysis of the total calorie and protein content of Mark's current diet is 3470 kcal, 125 grams of protein (14% of total calories supplied by protein). This diet is representative of the food choices and amounts of food that Mark chooses on a regular basis.
a. What is the difference between Mark's estimated protein needs as an athlete (from number 2) and the amount of protein that his current diet provides? _______________________________
b. Is his current protein intake inadequate, adequate, or excessive? _______________________
4. Mark takes his trainer's advice and goes to the supermarket to purchase a protein drink to add to his diet. Four products are available; they contain the following label information.
The trainer recommends adding the supplement to Mark's diet two times a day. Mark chooses the Muscle Builder protein drink.
a. How much protein would be added to Mark's diet daily from two servings of the supplement alone (prior to mixing it with a beverage)?
b. Mark mixes the powder with the milk he already consumes at breakfast and dinner. How much protein total would Mark now consume in 1 day? (Add the protein amount from the nutrition analysis to the value from question 4a.)
c. What is the difference between Mark's estimated protein needs as an athlete and this total intake?
5. What is your conclusion-does Mark need the protein supplement?