The Atkins Nutritional Approach recommends an intake of about 12-18 ounces of protein foods per day, (4 to 6 ounce serving per meal) an amount typically under 30% of total daily calories for any given individual and considered safe by major health organizations. Though this intake is slightly higher than the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for protein, it’s important to understand that RDA represents the minimum level considered sufficient to meet the requirements of most people within a healthy population. It is not intended to represent an upper limit or even an optimal intake amount (43). In fact, downshifting carbohydrate intake while consuming a moderate-protein and higher-fat diet, as achieved through the Atkins Nutritional Approach, has been shown to promote satiety and drive sustainable weight loss (44-46).