# What's more important, to meet calories target or protein grams?

**URL:** <https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/whats-more-important-to-meet-calories-target-or-protein-grams/12378>\
**Category:** Nutrition Q&A \[Moderated\]\
**Created:** [May 2, 2022, 9:49am UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/whats-more-important-to-meet-calories-target-or-protein-grams/12378 "2022-05-02T09:49:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![wenceslado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/71e660/32.png) [@wenceslado](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/wenceslado)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2022, 9:49am UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/whats-more-important-to-meet-calories-target-or-protein-grams/12378/1 "2022-05-02T09:49:21Z")

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Hi!

I find myself a lot of times facing this decision. For example, I would reach the end of the day having eaten the target calories but not enough protein, so I would consider having a protein shake to reach that number. What’s the good call?

I’d assume it varies depending on the goal (lose, maintain or gain weight) and the relative values (how much calories already over the target vs how much protein eaten that day) but I would love to hear your thoughts on priorities so I can make my own decisions.

Also, I’m aware the best solution is having a proper meal plan and follow it so there is no need to do tradeoffs, but I struggle to do this in a culture so based around social eating & drinking like Spanish. Sadly if I want to socialize I can’t control all variables every day.

Thanks for your input!

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**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2022, 2:15pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/whats-more-important-to-meet-calories-target-or-protein-grams/12378/2 "2022-05-02T14:15:05Z")

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Energy intake would be the most important thing if we’re getting greater than ~ 1.4 grams of protein/kg bodyweight/day.

I think a protein shake may be helpful here if you can carve out ~ 120 to 150 Calories.