Do I need more protein or am I missing something else?

daweasel

Hi all, just wondering if anyone had any suggestions or insight here.

I eat quite a high protein diet, average about 0.8-1g/lb each day, with quite a lot of yoghurt, eggs and meat (so complete proteins), and spread well throughout the day, but I find I'm often really, really craving high-protein foods, particularly meat and dairy.

I'm 25, female and do a lot of endurance running and cycling (about 12-15 hours/week). I also do strength training about 2-3 times/week (8-12 rep range, so not "heavy" but heavy enough that I'm fatiguing or failing towards the end of my last set). I pay attention to my post workout nutrition, making sure I'm getting 15-20g of protein and some carbs in within 30 minutes (as recommended by a sports dietitian I saw a while back).

I'm just wondering if I need more protein that what I'm getting, since I think I should theoretically be getting enough, or if there's perhaps something else nutrient-wise I might be missing? I had considered iron, since my stores are always low when I have a blood test (but hemoglobin is usually within range, albeit the low end) but I've been taking a supplement and it's not specifically red meat I find I'm wanting.

MelaniaTrump

No daily multivitamin? No greens in your diet?

daweasel

No multivitamin, but I eat heaps and heaps of fruit and vegetables. Probably 3+ pieces of fruit and half my lunch and dinner would be vegetables, as well as a lot of carrots and capsicum for snacks. All sorts of colours, green and otherwise I'd be really surprised if I was missing there, just given how much I eat and the variety.