Protein?

rebawagner

Protein?
I keep going into the RED on my protein column when tracking my food… how big of a deal is this??? I am fine on everything else. I thought I wanted more protein and less carbs to drop some lbs.? Any advice??

jchecks

I hear ya...I am seeing the red a lot when it comes to protein too!

heathersmilez

There are 3 new topics on this today alone. Please utilize the search function

Mike: a sticky for protein would be a super idea, thanks!

wriglucy

Just make sure you drink lots of water as too much protein can be tough on your kidneys, and you'll need to keep that water flushing through them.

binary_jester

Just make sure you drink lots of water as too much protein can be tough on your kidneys, and you'll need to keep that water flushing through them.

You have any idea how much protein you have to consume before that happens?

Mindful_Trent

Just make sure you drink lots of water as too much protein can be tough on your kidneys, and you'll need to keep that water flushing through them.

You have any idea how much protein you have to consume before that happens?

No kidding... the MFP recommendation is pretty darn low - 15% of daily calories from protein. Most recommended ranges I see state that anything from 15-35% is acceptable for the general population. I would imagine, assuming you have healthy kidneys, that you would have to go significantly above the 35% on a regular basis (ex. 50%) to put any real stress on your kidneys.

The whole "too much protein is bad for you" is overhyped - it doesn't apply to the majority of MFP users, and certainly not to people whose protein is set at the default 15% of calories.

safetyscott

I have mine set to 40% ....i need extra protien because i weight train and dont wana take a protien powder....i also drink 3-4.5 liters of water a day or 100 - 152 oz.

CobraBubbles

Are you eating in accordance witht he guide that MFP gives you? That's probably why... it seems like their protein recs are considerably low. I adjust my macros accordingly to my Paleo eating; protein is about 40% of my calories. I honestly don't think it's a big-big deal if you're going over on protein. It isn't as easy to over-do it as some people think; if, however, it's bothering you, you'll just have to go over what you're eating and try to make some substitutions.

HotSouthernMess

my protein is ALWAYS in the red, (where everything else stays in the green) and it was worrying me too. this is only my second week with MFP and the first week i lost weight so, i was confused as well. yesterday i really monitored my protein to see what would happen and i ended at a perfect 0 but then went red with my carbs! grrr! i dont get it....

Mindful_Trent

my protein is ALWAYS in the red, (where everything else stays in the green) and it was worrying me too. this is only my second week with MFP and the first week i lost weight so, i was confused as well. yesterday i really monitored my protein to see what would happen and i ended at a perfect 0 but then went red with my carbs! grrr! i dont get it....

It would be exceedingly difficult to exactly match MFP's recommended calorie balance (or any goal balance for that matter). The exact percentage you eat of carbs/fat/protein isn't what is most important, unless you're someone like a professional bodybuilder who is trying to increase muscle mass like crazy. Total calories, along with a generally well-balanced diet low in sodium and high in fiber is what is key. 15-30% is the recommended range for protein calories, 45-60% the range for carbs and 20-30% is the range for fats. MFP is set at 15% protein, 55% carbs and 30% fat by default. Many people adjust this to meet their individual dieting preferences.

As long as you're not WAY out of balance - such as 50g of protein with 300g carbs and 100g fat or 200g protein with 20g carbs and 100g fat (you get the picture) then you will likely be just fine. Don't stress over the individual categories not balancing perfectly. If you want to adjust your macro % goals, go to goals --> change goals --> customize