IM ALWAYS WAY OVER MY PROTEIN.

mamastuck

But I am loosing I feel full all day and I like what I am eating.... So is it bad?

YeaILift

The default protein goals are way low. You can change the % if you want, but no it is definitely not bad.

natejoejake

I am also always way over my protein and still losing weight so I don't know. I am wondering the same thing.

SarahNicole317

I don't think it's high. The site significantly underestimates the amount of protein and over estimates carbs. Too often people are eating far too many carbs and only 60-80 grams of protein. If you are lifting then you need AT LEAST as many grams of protein you are consuming.

From what I've experienced with myself and working with clients, people who keep their protein too low and carbs too high end up reaching their 'goal weight' and being 'skinny fat' rather than having a fit and lean body.

mamastuck

So where should my carbs be then?

mamastuck

PS please feel free to look at my food diary

Cristy_AZ

I posted alsmot the same post yesterday. Got lots of good feedback too!!
Feel free to add me and/or follow the thread from yesterday!

SparkleShine

Your good on the protein! :flowerforyou:

TateFTW

percentages of macros (protein, fat and carbs) don't really matter that much. Protein is good. It's harder to digest and keeps you feling fuller longer. I eat a ton of it. Stick to your calories and you'll be good most of the time.

bizco

I believe MFP's recommended amounts of protein and carbs are off. You can change the percentages by going to My Home, then Goals. Choose "customize" and then reduce the % of carbs and increase the % of protein. I did this and I also increased the amount of fiber. If you're over 40 you need at least 25g of fiber every day. I also reduced the amount of sodium. Some experts say no more than 1500mg which is almost impossible to do since all processed & prepared foods contain huge amounts of sodium. Other experts say less than 2300mg, so I changed my sodium goal to 2000mg. I reduced cholesterol to <300mg and increased potassium to 3500mg. I changed all of these baselines based on research, I didn't just make them up. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Uptopargolf

percentages of macros (protein, fat and carbs) don't really matter that much. Protein is good. It's harder to digest and keeps you feling fuller longer. I eat a ton of it. Stick to your calories and you'll be good most of the time.

The percents matter A LOT. You don't want to end up being 'skinny' fat like said above. If you just worry about calories you may lose weight. But lots of it will be muscle. And you will not look as good as you can.

try for, 40% Protein, 35% carbs, 25% fat. You can always play around with those a bit.

Remember, to do cardio and lift weights! You don't want to lose muscle. And I have always said as a whole, many people eat to many carbs. I know most will disagree with me, you need carbs for energy etc etc.. but it is just my opinion.

TateFTW

If you eat a more or less balanced diet, then no, the percentages don't matter. You'd have to eat a hell of a lot of one macro and ignore the other two, and do it consistently for it to make a difference, and if you do that there are other health issues you’ll have beyond losing or not losing weight. I agree with your number suggestions, and am pretty sure I’m using those exact numbers at the moment, but I’m hardly ever right on for my macros, and vary as much as 15% for each on a given day.

The same thing is true for building muscle. The studies have shown that a positive nitrogen balance (a necessity for building muscle mass) in the body can be attained by eating any combination of macros, as long as one eats over maintenance.

You're correct that a poor diet and not exercising will result in loss of lean mass (muscle), but I'd argue that lack of activity (especially resistance training) would be MUCH more of a determining factor then macro percentages.

Uptopargolf

If you eat a more or less balanced diet, then no, the percentages don't matter. You'd have to eat a hell of a lot of one macro and ignore the other two, and do it consistently for it to make a difference, and if you do that there are other health issues you’ll have beyond losing or not losing weight. I agree with your number suggestions, and am pretty sure I’m using those exact numbers at the moment, but I’m hardly ever right on for my macros, and vary as much as 15% for each on a given day.

The same thing is true for building muscle. The studies have shown that a positive nitrogen balance (a necessity for building muscle mass) in the body can be attained by eating any combination of macros, as long as one eats over maintenance.

You're correct that a poor diet and not exercising will result in loss of lean mass (muscle), but I'd argue that lack of activity (especially resistance training) would be MUCH more of a determining factor then macro percentages.

Agreed on all those points. All I was really trying to say is that the diet is VERY important. For anyone, if you want to lose weight, build muscle, lose body fat, etc etc. The diet is so important.

It has been said many times that, the diet is 85% of the issue, while exercise is the last 15%. While I agree on this, still exercise is extremely important.

Lastly, it is VERY difficult to follow the percentages perfectly. It took me probably 2 weeks of playing around with different foods to get mine to where they are within 30 calories, and only a few grams of each.

Plus you cannot live on the percentages forever, even I know that one day I'll end up eating very differently from how I am right now. But remember a 'diet' and a 'lifestyle' are different. You live a healthy lifestyle, thats great. You go on a diet when you want to drop body fat, or build muscle, etc.

TateFTW

If you eat a more or less balanced diet, then no, the percentages don't matter. You'd have to eat a hell of a lot of one macro and ignore the other two, and do it consistently for it to make a difference, and if you do that there are other health issues you’ll have beyond losing or not losing weight. I agree with your number suggestions, and am pretty sure I’m using those exact numbers at the moment, but I’m hardly ever right on for my macros, and vary as much as 15% for each on a given day.

The same thing is true for building muscle. The studies have shown that a positive nitrogen balance (a necessity for building muscle mass) in the body can be attained by eating any combination of macros, as long as one eats over maintenance.

You're correct that a poor diet and not exercising will result in loss of lean mass (muscle), but I'd argue that lack of activity (especially resistance training) would be MUCH more of a determining factor then macro percentages.

Agreed on all those points. All I was really trying to say is that the diet is VERY important. For anyone, if you want to lose weight, build muscle, lose body fat, etc etc. The diet is so important.

It has been said many times that, the diet is 85% of the issue, while exercise is the last 15%. While I agree on this, still exercise is extremely important.

Lastly, it is VERY difficult to follow the percentages perfectly. It took me probably 2 weeks of playing around with different foods to get mine to where they are within 30 calories, and only a few grams of each.

Plus you cannot live on the percentages forever, even I know that one day I'll end up eating very differently from how I am right now. But remember a 'diet' and a 'lifestyle' are different. You live a healthy lifestyle, thats great. You go on a diet when you want to drop body fat, or build muscle, etc.

agreed, although I don't like using the term "diet" in that fashion. I only use it in the technical sense, as in "my diet is what I eat." For me, whatever my goals, I know that if I don't keep track of my diet and exercise, I'll gain weight. If that means I have to log my food for the rest of my life, then that's something I'm willing to do.

But this is all semantics, and I agree with what you said as well.