Protein and carbohydrates are bothmacronutrientsthat provide energy and support various bodily functions.
How much protein you need at breakfast depends on your individual health status and personal health goals.
Ideal protein intake depends on various factors, including weight, age, sex, and activity level.
miniseries / Getty Images
Essentially, it’s the minimum amount you need for your body to function properly.
According to these recommendations, a 150-pound person should consume 82 to 109 grams of protein per day.
Ideally, protein intake should be evenlyspreadthroughout the day.
Benefits of Carbs for Breakfast
Carbohydrates have several beneficial effects on the body when consumed at breakfast.
These include:
How Many Carbs and Which Types for Breakfast?
These needs are not the same in everybody.
Higher intakes of simple and refined carbs are associated with weight gain.
Carbohydrates are the body’s primary energy source, raising blood glucose levels for quick energy.
Fiber supports satiety and blood glucose stabilization.
2016;7(3):613S-21S.
doi:10.3945/an.115.010314
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Health lesson: learning about bones.
LaPelusa A, Kaushik R.Physiology, proteins.
In: StatPearls [Internet].
Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025.
2022;15(1):85.
2020;12(2):365. doi:10.3390/nu12020365
Harvard T.H.
Chan School of Public Health.Carbohydrates and blood sugar.
Fu J, Zheng Y, Gao Y, et al.Dietary fiber intake and gut microbiota in human health.Microorganisms.
2023;15(21):4569. doi:10.3390/nu15214569
American Diabetes Association.Lets talk about protein for people with diabetes.
2017;14:33. doi:10.1186/s12970-017-0189-4
American Society for Nutrition.Protein, it’s whats for breakfast.
2003 May;103(5):563].J Am Diet Assoc.
2022;47(5):615. doi:10.1139/apnm-2022-0131.
].Appl Physiol Nutr Metab.
Implications for daily protein distribution.J Int Soc Sports Nutr.
2015;23(9):1761-1764. doi:10.1002/oby.21185
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Carb counting.
2017;117(1):146. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2016.11.008.
].J Acad Nutr Diet.
2016;116(3):501-528. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2015.12.006
National Library of Medicine.Carbohydrates.
2023;382:e073939.
doi:10.1136/bmj-2022-073939
American Diabetes Association.Meal planning.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Healthy breakfasts.