Final answer:
Tomas, a 24-year-old male weighing 166 pounds, should consume approximately 60 grams of protein per day to maintain protein equilibrium, based on the standard nutritional guidelines of 0.8-1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight.
Step-by-step explanation:
To maintain protein equilibrium, a healthy 24-year-old male who weighs 166 pounds should consume an amount of protein that aligns with general nutritional guidelines. For the average adult male, it is often recommended to have 0.8-1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. Considering Tomas weighs 166 pounds (which is approximately 75 kilograms), this calculation leads to a recommended intake of about 60 to 75 grams of protein per day if we use the lower end of the range.
Therefore, the direct answer in two lines to the student's question is: Tomas, a healthy 24-year-old male weighing 166 pounds, should have 60 grams of protein per day to maintain protein equilibrium, which corresponds to option 2. This assumes a standard protein requirement without higher needs such as those due to heavy physical activity or muscle building objectives.