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Why are MFP's protein recommendations so high?

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Replies

  • Posts: 10,330 Member
    I get that I can do that, but I still don't understand why MFP sets them so high to begin with.

    The answer to this is simple, because of the majority of MFP's population and their needs. It is usually assumed that the majority of people are here for fitness so it sets the numbers to the average needs of the average person who does a moderate amount of exercise and lifts moderate weights. With that said, it can't fit all individual needs be it more or less protein so it offers the ability to customize.
  • Posts: 3,096 Member
    :smooched:

    I see you deleted your response.

    Yes...there are a few homophobic people on MFP...but the majority are not.

    You don't have to lift...you don't have to eat that much protein.

    I struggle to keep mine at the recommended level. I have had to be creative because even while I eat meat I don't eat a lot. Since I rarely eat beef I was eating a lot of chicken and now I cook fish a couple of times a week.

    I have added in eggs...Greek yogurt...and some other things to help me. I look for protein added products.

    I also struggle with the sodium and trying to keep it at 1500mg...more often than not I am over.
  • Posts: 1,206 Member
    20% isn't "high" and it's certainly not high BECAUSE YOU SAY SO. What kind of reasoning is that? On that note, I'm going to have a tough time hitting 40% protein today.
  • Posts: 688 Member
    Every day, human adults need 0.36 of protein grams per pound of weight.

    For me, that's 60 grams of protein per day.

    But MFP wants me at 135 grams of protein per day!

    If that's happening to everyone else, it explains all the attention on protein bars and protein powders and other so-called boosts that are barely recognizable as food.

    Are the MFP formulas victims of meat industry propaganda?

    *** Source: http://breakingmuscle.com/nutrition/how-much-protein-do-you-need-science-weighs-in


    The bolded sentence is your problem. It depends on the person. People who are very active and do a lot of lifting (be it weights or working) need more protein to support their larger muscle mass than a person who sits on their butt all day. You need more protein to support more muscle. It has very little to do with just being "human adults."

    Two 250lb people, one with a lot of fat and one body builder would need fairly different amounts of protein in their diet.
  • Posts: 1,594 Member
    OP, just go and change the setting to what you feel you need. Everyone has different goals. I really don't see the need to complain in a forum about something you can change. Unless the actual intent of this post was to b!tch about the government and certain industries you feel are in bed with each other.
  • Posts: 1,566 Member
    I exceeded my protein a few times this week without protein powders or bars - roasted chicken delicious and filling :ohwell:
  • Posts: 4,537 Member
    I'll keep that in mind if I ever become a woman. I don't lift heavy weights because I don't like lifting heavy weights, I don't have a weight room to go to, and I don't want to do it wrong and injure myself.

    loled
  • Posts: 3,886 Member
    I'm a vegetarian, and I had to custom-set my protein macro higher because I *thought* I feel (and perform) better with more protein.

    Now I'm wondering if I really do feel better, or if I'm just a victim of Big Meat brainwashing.
  • Posts: 366 Member
    That was an enjoyable read. Made me feel so much better about my curls (female vegetarian lifts 5x more then you do).

    All seriousness, if you dont want that much protein then dont eat it. simple.
  • Posts: 5,922 Member
    General recommendations are aimed at the average sedentary individual not looking to change weight or fitness levels.

    High protein intake whilst dieting helps to prevent extreme LBM loss. High protein intake whilst intentionally gaining weight, combined with resistance training helps to build LBM.

    Please don't use propaganda websites as evidence of fact. Scientific, peer reviewed studies on the topic are not too hard to find.
  • Posts: 5,922 Member
    "The MINIMUM amount of protein for athletes should be at least .55 grams/pound/day." That's for ATHLETES, not office dwellers who work out 6 days a week. And MFP's recommendation, for me at least, is even higher: 0.67 grams/pound/day.

    Minimum =/= optimal
  • Posts: 567 Member
    In for the big meat... :tongue:

    :blushing:
  • Posts: 4,383 Member

    You should start lifting heavier weight, don't worry, women don't get bulky by accident!!! You might see a little gain in weight at first and during your time of the month but that's normal!!!

    totally LOL'd
  • Posts: 34,415 Member
    LOL@thought of me eating only 60g of protein daily.
  • Posts: 22,281 Member
    meat industry propaganda
  • Posts: 30,886 Member
    I get that I can do that, but I still don't understand why MFP sets them so high to begin with.

    I agree with those who don't think it's high, even in your case, but the obvious reason is because like a lot of things about MFP there's an element of one-size-fits-all. Lots of MFP users are overweight or obese women who get low calorie recommendations, like 1200. (Another issue, of course.) If you have the macros set up as percentages, that means the protein recommendation is going to be, if anything, low for a lot of people.
  • Posts: 1,999 Member

    Wait. I thought that was the grain and dairy who were doing that?

    Anytime the food pyramid is discussed it's all about too many carbs and the grain propoganda. :ohwell:
    Does Big Meat have deeper pockets?

    I like Big Meat and I cannot lie.
  • Posts: 30,886 Member
    I'm a vegetarian, and I had to custom-set my protein macro higher because I *thought* I feel (and perform) better with more protein.

    Now I'm wondering if I really do feel better, or if I'm just a victim of Big Meat brainwashing.

    Big Bean?
  • Posts: 967 Member
    Every day, human adults need 0.36 of protein grams per pound of weight.

    For me, that's 60 grams of protein per day.

    But MFP wants me at 135 grams of protein per day!

    If that's happening to everyone else, it explains all the attention on protein bars and protein powders and other so-called boosts that are barely recognizable as food.

    Are the MFP formulas victims of meat industry propaganda?

    *** Source: http://breakingmuscle.com/nutrition/how-much-protein-do-you-need-science-weighs-in

    Do you weigh 350lbs? Or is my math bad...
  • Posts: 9,377 Member
    Yes, I read the article. Like most people, I'm not an avid strength-trainer. (Maximum I lift is 5 pounds per hand.) I'm not an endurance athlete. (I walk 3-5 miles at a stretch.) So why should I be treated like one in MFP's recommendations? And by people who look at my food diary, I might add...

    Why??? :cry:
  • Posts: 1,363 Member
    Because many of them lift weights (like me for example) and 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight is a good thing, especially if you are eating at a deficit and want to keep your muscle.

    Also, age matters, there is not one protein number for everybody. Young people under 20 and people over 50 need more protein. There are studies that show even seniors who don't exercise should have 90 grams a day.

    If you don't like it, go to your goals, click Custom and change it...no need to even have this topic.
  • Posts: 69 Member
    Where can one find a sign that says, "will work for big meat?"
  • Posts: 34,971 Member

    No, I just double checked, the default for me is now 20% for me too. I have no idea when that changed because the default was 15% for as long as I have been here.

    My apologies. I didn't realize they'd change it.
  • Posts: 9,487 Member
    Yes, I read the article. Like most people, I'm not an avid strength-trainer. (Maximum I lift is 5 pounds per hand.)


    My purse probably weighs more than 5 lbs. I'd hardly call it lifting.
  • Posts: 5,413 Member

    is this about to become one of those threads where white people tell other white people what's offensive to black people? SWEET!! I lurve those! Bonus points for this one being about how white people can't moisturize without offending someone.

    IN!! I'm so IN


    OrRoY80.gif

    All I can say is, she seems to lack the courage of her conviction. Too bad, because I like that particular subject as well.
  • Posts: 297
    Where can one find a sign that says, "will work for big meat?"

    No sign needed. How YOU doin?
  • Posts: 609 Member
    I really don't get why protein recommendations are linked to a meat industry conspiracy. Getting the recommended protein can be easily done with non-meat options like greek yogurt and if people decide to eat protein bars it is just a personal choice not "I have to do this because I am forced to by MFP or the meat industry".

    Also there is nothing wrong with not lifting heavy weights or eating less protein than others but it is a bit insulting to suggest that those that do so must be fooled by propaganda. For me, upping my protein (not high calorie choices)and eating some with each meal/snack has kept my energy up for work outs and kept me from being hungry. I also haven't hurt myself lifting heavier than 5 lbs weight and I'm just a middle aged women trying to make sure I still look decent in sleeveless tank tops. I certainly don't expect the OP to share this goal (LOL) but it takes 15-20 lb curls and hundreds of dips at a minimum. No spotter ever required and nobody gets hurt! Again, we don't need to share other people's goals but don't fault them for taken the best and most efficient route to what they define as success or their body thrives on.
  • Posts: 312 Member
    Have you had blood work done with your doctor?... It seems that you may have very low testosterone levels....
  • Posts: 69 Member
    I really don't get why protein recommendations are linked to a meat industry conspiracy. Getting the recommended protein can be easily done with non-meat options like greek yogurt and if people decide to eat protein bars it is just a personal choice not "I have to do this because I am forced to by MFP or the meat industry".

    Because this is the internet.

    Last week it was "MFP drives people to convenience foods! Big Nabisco!" because it takes more steps to put something into the recipe tool, than to just add a party sized bag of Cheetohs.
  • Posts: 34,415 Member
    Great.

    Now I want Cheetos.
This discussion has been closed.