Am I going to die if I don't eat *that* much protein?

blairf83

OK. Long time vegetarian who does not like eggs (they make me gag like you wouldn't imagine).

I have a HARD time hitting the 60 g of protein goal. Like... by half. I usually end up over on carbs, and under on fat and protein, even focusing on trying to include more protein. I can meet my calorie goals all day long.

1- The meat replacements are loaded with sodium- plus require cooking
2- they're expensive...
3- I rely on convenience food a lot of the time (the small assortment of vegetarian friendly lean cuisines, etc.... or a salad kit from the grocery store makes 2 days of lunch...) because most days I leave the house at 7:00 am and return home at 9pm.
4- my weight loss success so far has been based off of eating things that taste decent. If I deprive myself too much, it's going to be very very easy to binge...

I snack a couple times while I'm at work- laughing cow cheese with a half serving of triscuit, sometimes a greek yogurt... etc...

I just started doubling up my workouts and now MFP says I should have EIGHTY (OMFGAREYOUKIDDINGME) Grams of protein per day?

I ate similarly when I was young/thin/healthy to what I'm eating now (didn't lose grip for about 7 years when I had most of my back fused and moved to a desk job from working on a horse farm 7 days a week).

Am I really going to be hurting with my exercise increase if I don't get more protein? just don't see how it's an option with my current time/ financial/caloric restrictions...

SezxyStef

protien helps repair your muscles after you exercise...and helps maintain muscle as you lose weight (along with resistence training)

I have found it helps keep my nails and hair very strong (even my hair dresser commented on how healthy my hair is now) and it keeps me feeling fuller longer.

I am not too familiar with being a vegetarian but if you drink milk....you could try cheeses, greek yogurts, protien shakes (even these with almond milk)

Or protien bars, nuts and nut butters, beans, lentils and legumes

Try adding nuts to your salads...or protien shake with lots of fruit and nuts for breakfast and with my smoothies I actually use milk or almond milk, protien powder and protien shake with fruit...

_Zardoz_

I'm a Vegan and have no problem with Protein it's in nuts, beans, Tofu, soya even rice has protein in. You have to try really hard not to at least hit 50 or 60 g of protein in a day which is making me think you need to take a good look at your diet overall. If your having problems getting protein my guess is your deficient in many other nutrients. Saying you haven't time is a poor excuse many people do hours similar to you and manage healthy nutritious and tasty meals. Look at preparing meals at weekends in bulk. Pre chop vegetables. It takes ten minutes to cook something like a stirfry if you've pre chopped the veg (or even bought a pack of pre chopped veg)

Stop thinking about what you cant do and see what you can. Being healthy is far more than losing some weight.

IIIIISerenityNowIIIII

I'm vegetarian too and am very focused on getting as much protein as I can. I feel an enormous difference when I get a good amount versus when I haven't.

I have an open diary so add me if you'd like. I do eat fake meat every day and also lots of the special k stuff that has added protein.

awtume9

yes.

WBB55

I highly recommend finding protein sources.

Vegan/vegetarian protein powders and meal replacements can seem expensive, but they're really not that bad when you look at your cost per gram of protein.

Here's my biggest sources of protein, that are vegetarian-ish (depending on your definition) friendly, but not very expensive, in a few different food categories:

Walnuts
Broccoli
Spinach
Sweet potato
Prunes
Oranges
Blueberries
Lentils
Barley
Navy beans
Oats
Greek yogurt
Soy milk
Neufchatel
Whey protein powder
Mozzarella cheese
Cottage cheese
Dark chocolate

It's important to get enough protein. 80 grams per day is a really great goal. And something worth shooting for.

WBB55

I'm a Vegan and have no problem with Protein it's in nuts, beans, Tofu, soya even rice has protein in. You have to try really hard not to at least hit 50 or 60 g of protein in a day which is making me think you need to take a good look at your diet overall. If your having problems getting protein my guess is your deficient in many other nutrients. Saying you haven't time is a poor excuse many people do hours similar to you and manage healthy nutritious and tasty meals. Look at preparing meals at weekends in bulk. Pre chop vegetables. It takes ten minutes to cook something like a stirfry if you've pre chopped the veg (or even bought a pack of pre chopped veg)

Stop thinking about what you cant do and see what you can. Being healthy is far more than losing some weight.

^^QFT!!