Too much protein?

naparker333

I could use some advice and/or insight. Long story short, I'm here, starting yet another weight loss trek. I've been successful in the past, losing and then regaining most of about 80 lbs since having kids in my 20s and early 30s. I'll be 50 in Feb. In the fall of 2011, I lost almost 40 lbs with WW, but regained it since that time. I'm accustomed to tracking food, and was very successful doing that with WW. I began again just last Friday (kind of as an afterthought, actually!) when I returned to this site and decided to give it a try again. I've been doing fine with calories, it seems, but by lunch, I'm pretty significantly over my target for both proteins and sugars. I typically end the day low on carbs. I haven't tracked all the greens I've been eating, still kind of in a WW mode of fresh fruits and veggies being "free". Any ideas? Am I slowing things down by going over with the proteins?

Any info is helpful.

STC1188

Unless you have documented kidney problems, or are consuming 300g+ or protein a day, I would say you are fine. In fact, some studies have shown that higher amounts of protein (100g+) is helpful for aging adults in preventing neuromuscular and neurological diseases.

I'd say you are fine.

diannethegeek

If you're using MFP's default settings, their protein macro is set pretty low. I would consider it a minimum rather than a maximum.

susannamarie

No. MFP's protein is set at the customary minimum amount -- many people eat significantly over with no ill effects. Unless you have a kidney problem, it won't hurt you. Furthermore, their sugars are set at the customary amount for added sugars. The reason added sugars are set there is because they contribute nothing but calories, so for most people it's a good idea to restrict them. Unless you are diabetic or similar, no reason to worry about them.

Leafy greens are probably ok to ignore as they are so low-cal, but I track them anyway because I would like to know how much fiber I'm consuming as I tend to run low. Fruits are not a good idea to ignore on MFP -- in WW the points are set so that you have a higher deficit because they figure people will fill in the hole with fruits and veggies. MFP is designed for you to track all your calories.

rbear713

Unless you have documented kidney problems, or are consuming 300g+ or protein a day, I would say you are fine. In fact, some studies have shown that higher amounts of protein (100g+) is helpful for aging adults in preventing neuromuscular and neurological diseases.

I'd say you are fine.

Yup. This - protein is where its at. Dont be afraid!

HealthWoke0ish

Agree with a lot of what's been said. Looks like your protein goal is at 45? Mine is at 120. Res ipsa.

naparker333

Thanks so much for all the advice. I'll just keep going and see if it works. Am still a few days out of my first (self-imposed) weigh-in/check, so we'll see if I'm on the right track.

Thanks again for the replies!