Does protein make you fat?

lovelytanya87
lovelytanya87 Posts: 20
in Health and Weight Loss
Hey everyone! :)

I'm in a journey to lose weight... maybe about 16 lbs.! :(
I'm 25 years old and I currently weigh 150 lbs.... height is about 164cm so I’m overweight and truth hurts!

At the moment, I am limiting my calories intake to 1200kcal and doing 30 mins of cardio twice / 3 times a week - I hate exercising so I do stuff that I enjoy like skipping, playing futsal or badminton every week.
I also take meal replacement in the afternoon! So that is about 200 kcal. It has about 15gm of protein in it. So some of my friends are saying that protein can make you fat if you are not exercising. So I’m quite worried about this. I don’t really exercise every day you see… So does that mean I can’t take my shake?

My reasoning: A woman needs about 46gm of protein in her daily diet. I don’t really enjoy food with high protein and I don’t really eat them. So I feel my shake is helping me to get enough protein. So I feel it’s ok. But I may be wrong!
So is it really a bad idea to take protein?
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Replies

  • hannah_ryann
    hannah_ryann Posts: 259 Member
    I aim for about 100-140 grams of protein a day, so obviously I don't have a problem with protein.

    Protein in and of it self will not make you fat. Excess calories from eating too much of any macronutrient (protein, fat, carb) above the amount of calories you burn in a day will make you gain weight.

    Protein is essential for keeping the muscle you already have when you're losing weight.

    Drink those protein shakes, girl.
  • sarahstrezo
    sarahstrezo Posts: 568 Member
    Protein doesn't make your fat any more than carbs or dietary fat makes you fat. Excess calories in any of those three macros will cause you to gain weight.

    I eat a bare minimum of 100g of protein a day...usually closer to 120-130g......not gaining body fat.
  • scottaworley
    scottaworley Posts: 871 Member
    It's been said, but protein will not make you fat. In fact, I would up your protein to minimize muscle loss while eating at such an extreme deficit.
  • DoctorCheeba
    DoctorCheeba Posts: 28
    Protein shakes are a great alternative, stick with it!
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    yes protein is what makes us fat. carbs make you skinny. and fats are neutral
  • hannah_ryann
    hannah_ryann Posts: 259 Member
    I heart you, Taso.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    over eating makes you fat....

    protein is arguably more important in weight loss than it is in muscle gain.
  • scottaworley
    scottaworley Posts: 871 Member
    Protein helps you burn fat.

    I'm wondering where you're getting this from.
  • AJ_G
    AJ_G Posts: 4,158 Member
    Hey everyone! :)

    I'm in a journey to lose weight... maybe about 16 lbs.! :(
    I'm 25 years old and I currently weigh 150 lbs.... height is about 164cm so I’m overweight and truth hurts!

    At the moment, I am limiting my calories intake to 1200kcal and doing 30 mins of cardio twice / 3 times a week - I hate exercising so I do stuff that I enjoy like skipping, playing futsal or badminton every week.
    I also take meal replacement in the afternoon! So that is about 200 kcal. It has about 15gm of protein in it. So some of my friends are saying that protein can make you fat if you are not exercising. So I’m quite worried about this. I don’t really exercise every day you see… So does that mean I can’t take my shake?

    My reasoning: A woman needs about 46gm of protein in her daily diet. I don’t really enjoy food with high protein and I don’t really eat them. So I feel my shake is helping me to get enough protein. So I feel it’s ok. But I may be wrong!
    So is it really a bad idea to take protein?

    A woman would need 46g of protein if she weighed 56 pounds, otherwise, that is an extremely deficient protein intake...
  • AJ_G
    AJ_G Posts: 4,158 Member
    Protein shakes are a great alternative, stick with it! Protein helps you burn fat, even if your just doing cardio and not doing any muscle training. Just keep your calories down elsewhere so the shakes fit into your diet.

    What?
  • lovelytanya87
    lovelytanya87 Posts: 20
    thank you very much! :)
  • lovelytanya87
    lovelytanya87 Posts: 20
    i guess i need to get the right info then!
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member

    My reasoning: A woman needs about 46gm of protein in her daily diet.

    really? says who?

    i ate 158g of protein yesterday... i must be OBESE!
  • lovelytanya87
    lovelytanya87 Posts: 20
    [/quote]

    really? says who?

    i ate 158g of protein yesterday... i must be OBESE!
    [/quote]

    sadly, that was what I've been told! :(
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member

    sadly, that was what I've been told! :(

    by who?
  • Chadomaniac
    Chadomaniac Posts: 1,785 Member

    really? says who?

    i ate 158g of protein yesterday... i must be OBESE!
    [/quote]

    sadly, that was what I've been told! :(
    [/quote]

    Yup u must be obese today .
  • Chadomaniac
    Chadomaniac Posts: 1,785 Member
    Too many CALORIES = FAT

    Too much protein = Kidney problems etc...
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    My reasoning: A woman needs about 46gm of protein in her daily diet. I don’t really enjoy food with high protein and I don’t really eat them. So I feel my shake is helping me to get enough protein. So I feel it’s ok. But I may be wrong!
    So is it really a bad idea to take protein?

    Who told you that?

    I generally eat more than that in a day. I need to start adding a shake in b/c I actually don't feel like I'm getting enough protein in daily.
  • lovelytanya87
    lovelytanya87 Posts: 20
    My reasoning: A woman needs about 46gm of protein in her daily diet. I don’t really enjoy food with high protein and I don’t really eat them. So I feel my shake is helping me to get enough protein. So I feel it’s ok. But I may be wrong!
    So is it really a bad idea to take protein?

    Who told you that?

    I generally eat more than that in a day. I need to start adding a shake in b/c I actually don't feel like I'm getting enough protein in daily.


    by all the stupid people around me! :( lol.. and i must be the stupidest person among them since i believed everything they say!
  • jdean140
    jdean140 Posts: 1 Member
    Great Question!
    Protein will help you feel full/satisfied longer. Protein & the right carbs aftera good workout will help muscles recover and help to avoid soreness,in addition to storing the right energy for the next workout instead of converting to fat.

    This link has all the information about how much protein a person needs based on many variables, your fitness objective, gender and activity level ect. While it can get feel a bit complex at first, you can hone in on what closest matches your personal goals.

    http://exercise.about.com/cs/nutrition/a/protein_2.htm
    The fact that you are asking the question is the best step in finding out what is best for you!

    :-)

    J
  • wilburdonovan91
    wilburdonovan91 Posts: 4 Member
    just remember that excess protein is converted to carbs through gluconeogenesis
  • lovelytanya87
    lovelytanya87 Posts: 20
    Great Question!
    Protein will help you feel full/satisfied longer. Protein & the right carbs aftera good workout will help muscles recover and help to avoid soreness,in addition to storing the right energy for the next workout instead of converting to fat.

    This link has all the information about how much protein a person needs based on many variables, your fitness objective, gender and activity level ect. While it can get feel a bit complex at first, you can hone in on what closest matches your personal goals.

    http://exercise.about.com/cs/nutrition/a/protein_2.htm
    The fact that you are asking the question is the best step in finding out what is best for you!

    :-)

    J


    thank you very much! i will have a read! :)
  • AnabolicKyle
    AnabolicKyle Posts: 489 Member
    Of all the macro nutrients protein is the most anabolic and thermogenic, so no!!!
  • phatguerilla
    phatguerilla Posts: 188 Member
    Too many CALORIES = FAT

    Too much protein = Kidney problems etc...

    Can't tell from the layout of your post if this is sarcasm or not? But unless you have a preexisting kidney problem protein won't damage them at all.
  • pyrowill
    pyrowill Posts: 1,163 Member
    Very wrong and common with people that are uneducated on such things. I think the common idea that protein makes you fat is from things like the weight gain/bulking powders that people seem to only associate as 'protein'.
  • scottaworley
    scottaworley Posts: 871 Member
    Protein shakes are a great alternative, stick with it! Protein helps you burn fat, even if your just doing cardio and not doing any muscle training. Just keep your calories down elsewhere so the shakes fit into your diet.

    What?

    My guess is that she thinks that protein burns fat because protein helps to build muscle. However, at a deficit you are not building muscle, though you might add some lean body mass which could "burn" more calories than fat. Relying on adding muscle/LBM to burn calories is WAY overestimated though. If you replace 10 pounds of fat with 10 pounds of muscle you will only increase your BMR by 20 calories per day.
  • Fuzzipeg
    Fuzzipeg Posts: 2,301 Member
    Over all one needs to achieve a proper balance in the foods eaten preferably daily. When I add an item to my food diary for the day I try to keep the totals at the bottom of the page in mind. I don't worry if the fat collum is under though. MFP may not work to a personal tde but it does make a good effort at giving us information to balance the principal food groups. Over time you will find what works for you, though sometimes you may just want a slight change.

    Since I have been here, 10/11 weeks I have lost 19 lb. Logging everything daily is keeping me going.

    all the best.
  • lovelytanya87
    lovelytanya87 Posts: 20
    Very wrong and common with people that are uneducated on such things. I think the common idea that protein makes you fat is from things like the weight gain/bulking powders that people seem to only associate as 'protein'.

    i choose to be positive about your post tho it sounds a bit harsh to me! People are misinformed - i don't think anyone would appreciate being called uneducated.
    thanks anyway!
  • lovelytanya87
    lovelytanya87 Posts: 20
    Over all one needs to achieve a proper balance in the foods eaten preferably daily. When I add an item to my food diary for the day I try to keep the totals at the bottom of the page in mind. I don't worry if the fat collum is under though. MFP may not work to a personal tde but it does make a good effort at giving us information to balance the principal food groups. Over time you will find what works for you, though sometimes you may just want a slight change.

    Since I have been here, 10/11 weeks I have lost 19 lb. Logging everything daily is keeping me going.

    all the best.

    thank you very much! :smile:
  • thesupremeforce
    thesupremeforce Posts: 1,206 Member
    Very wrong and common with people that are uneducated on such things. I think the common idea that protein makes you fat is from things like the weight gain/bulking powders that people seem to only associate as 'protein'.

    i choose to be positive about your post tho it sounds a bit harsh to me! People are misinformed - i don't think anyone would appreciate being called uneducated.
    thanks anyway!

    "Uneducated on such things" isn't an insult. It simply means you didn't know any better. No one knows any better until it's been explained to them.

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