How to get protein in while not going over fat goal?

beccammoss

Hi, I have been on the app for three days now and am finding I am normally around 20g off my protein or hitting it. My question is, how do I hit my protein without overdoing the fat?

totameafox

consuming fat isn't really that big of a deal. your body actually needs fat especially good fats. Personally I only look to hit my protein and as close to fiber as i can get.

but you can look into leaner meats such as chicken or turkey. get lean cuts of beef or eat fish for the healthier fats.

Just don't be like my aunt who thinks that if something has fat that it is fattening. Fat is more calorie dense and considering i couldn't make it through my meal plan yesterday because I wasn't eating calorie dense food, it's not such a bad thing to add.

The most important thing is how do you feel based on what you eat? if you have enough energy and don't feel like your starving yourself then I wouldn't worry about it.

megarcia1993

I hope you mean 20% of protein. Other than that same! All the tasty proteins come with fat.
My suggestion is don't worry too much about fat for now since you just started with the app. Focus on total calories and protein. The fat content helps with satiety so it has its advantages.
I understand the impulse to get all the macros right, but in my experience you will get 80% of the results with 20% of the effort if you just focus on calories and protein. Once you are more used to the app and have a habit going you can push for the last 20% of results, just know it will take you 80% of the effort for that last bit.

nossmf

Take a gander through this thread for ideas on how to increase your protein intake:

carbs-and-fats-are-cheap-heres-a-guide-to-getting-your-proteins-worth-fiber-also

Understand that you do NOT have to hit target goals (calories, protein, etc) every single day. In fact, it is almost impossible to do so! Some days you will be high, some days low, a rare few days exactly spot on for one number but off for another, etc. It's your average over weeks and months which is important.

Retroguy2000

Why do you need a fat macro goal? You need some fat, sure, but presumably your current "target" is already more than your body needs. Aim to hit calories and protein goals, get some fiber and some fat, whatever calories remain can be carbs or fat.

springlering62

There’s tons of lean protein options.

Boneless chicken breast. “Top round” cuts of beef and roast are 140-160 per four ounces. Ditto for many cuts of pork loin and tenderloin.

There’s low fat cottage cheese and Greek yogurt options.

A zillion and one varieties of beans.

Skim milk. Low fat cheeses. Dried edamame snacks.

I haven’t even finished pre-logging today’s snacks and I’m already (tentatively, it will change once I peg down my final Brunswick Strew / bean soup recipe) at 164gr protein and 68 of fat.

I could easily lower the fat, with a few easy subs, but need the calories and nutrition they provide. So real homemade butter on my popcorn. Yay!!!!!!

Get creative. My lunch today will be diced leftover grilled steak cooked into a quesadilla with cheese and salsa. High protein? Hi, protein!!! 👍🏻

springlering62

And @beccammoss you’re oniy three or four days in.

Don’t expect immediate perfection. That’s unrealistic.

Give yourself some grace. Calorie counting, MFP, exercise, all have a learning curve.

My personal experience was, while focusing on learning to log, that made me more aware of what I was logging, which made me aware that I needed to make changes to get the most food for my calorie buck, which ultimately led to my macros falling into a good place, by themselves,

I would say, though, treat yourself to a fitness tracker. Any brand that syncs with MFP. My tracker was what helped all the pieces fall into place.