Protein - how much is too much?

Famzav8

I am currently following an eating plan where I am eating 80 - 90 grams of protein a day. It is going very well, however I have a question. There have been some days where I realize I have eaten 100-120 grams of protein once I add it up. Is there a adverse effect if I am eating over my goal protein? I am 27, 5'6'', and currently weigh 194. My protein comes from protein shakes, tuna, chicken, almonds, cashew, yogurt, turkey, fat free cottage cheese - all good stuff! Any information for me guys?

anulle2009

I am sure like everything TOO much of anything is't really good for you, but protein is a really good for muscle. I need to increase my protein, i know i am not getting enough..

crystal10584

bump

Allison128

great question. I've always wondered too! I can't help ya!

littletiger972000

bump

ChitownFoodie

My old fitness trainer used to tell me that the rule of thumb if you are trying to gain muscle is 1 gram for every pound you weigh.

Famzav8

okay..... so I'm new to this site - what does it mean when posts say "bump"?

anulle2009

Bump means they are bringing the topic back up. I just read that too much protein is onyl found to be bad for people with kidney disease

cj1234cj23

What does bump mean? I'd like to know too.

michaelduke31

it all depends on what you are going for with your diet. if you are trying to build some muscle, i would strive for 1.5 - 2 grams of protein per pound of body weight. if you are simply trying to maintain and keep those muscles strong, you can probably stick with 1 1.5 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight. (those are daily figures)

Goal_Seeker_1988

My old fitness trainer used to tell me that the rule of thumb if you are trying to gain muscle is 1 gram for every pound you weigh.

AGREED!

LillysGranny

My old fitness trainer used to tell me that the rule of thumb if you are trying to gain muscle is 1 gram for every pound you weigh.

This is what I've always heard/read. I know a lot of people who lose better at closer to a gram/pound, too.

Helice

What does bump mean? I'd like to know too.

Some one already said..
It's when u want to bring the topic back up.

Dteg

I just started working out with a trainer, she told me to aim for as many grams of protein as the weight i want to be. So if you want to weigh 135lbs get 135 grams of protein a day. I hope this helps you out.

JBRENTLINGER

I try to consume 1 gram of protein per pound I weigh. IT has helped me shed weight and gain lean muscle. I get my protein through, legumes, chicken, tuna, an occasional 100% whey protein shake, and pork. I also have 2 cups of leafy veggies with lunch and dinner when I am digesting that much protein at a time. It aids digestion.

rileysowner

You can theoretically eat too much protein, but not just the amounts you are eating. Many bodybuilders eat upwards of 2g per pound of bodyweight. As far as losing weight higher protein will help you more than hurt you assisting in retaining muscle mass and helping with energy and recovery from intense workouts. In other words don't worry about it.

BeckyKSmith

so bump means it is a topic that has already been shared somewhere else? I am unclear on that as well......sound's like someone is saying, "Bump........been there done that heard that before"....kind of rude if that is the case.

If you are not trying to build muscle, the excess protein can be hard for your kidney's to handle and put a little strain on them....if you are lifting some serious weight, your body will use a lot of that protein.
If you are sedentary, I don't recommend that much protein.

Famzav8

Thanks for the responses..... keep it coming, this is great info. When i have been telling people howmuch protein I am eating, I have generally gotten teh response that it seems like a lot of protein, but my doc said that 80-90 grams isn't "high" protein, it's "adequate" protein. I usually plan out my eating the night before, so now I won't be as worried trying to adjust my food if I go "over" on my protein. My goal is to lose at least 10% of my fat, and build more lean muscle. Not necessarily body builder type thing, but just leaner and stronger.

MattLee10

If you drink enough water you can eat all the clean protein you want. Just don't eat so much that your stomach feels like you overate. I'm usually between 200-250 grams a day. 6'4" 188...doing P90x

christy_frank

My protein goal every day is 100. Sometimes I get 90, sometimes I get 130. I spoke to my trainer about it last night & he felt 100-120 is perfect for me. I am 5'6, 146 lbs working out 3-5 times/week.

c0bra99

so bump means it is a topic that has already been shared somewhere else? I am unclear on that as well......sound's like someone is saying, "Bump........been there done that heard that before"....kind of rude if that is the case.

If you are not trying to build muscle, the excess protein can be hard for your kidney's to handle and put a little strain on them....if you are lifting some serious weight, your body will use a lot of that protein.
If you are sedentary, I don't recommend that much protein.

That is not what Bump means. Bump is used to "Bump" a topic back to the top of the list of topics, since it is sorted by the last time a comment was posted. Bump is not rude, it is a way of saying "I think this post is important and would like more people to see it so hopefully we can get good answers"

It is very commonly used in forums across the internet.

Famzav8

so bump means it is a topic that has already been shared somewhere else? I am unclear on that as well......sound's like someone is saying, "Bump........been there done that heard that before"....kind of rude if that is the case.

If you are not trying to build muscle, the excess protein can be hard for your kidney's to handle and put a little strain on them....if you are lifting some serious weight, your body will use a lot of that protein.
If you are sedentary, I don't recommend that much protein.

lowpost42

I don't believe there's too much protein.

I'm working on burning fat off my body (I'd like to keep most of the lean mass I've still got!) and so my daily goals are:

Carbs: 47
Fats: 74
Protein: 260

and my average intake is

Carbs: ~80
Fats: ~ 130
Protein: ~ 160

Some days are higher and some are lower; but since starting I've lost 2.5 lbs of fat for every 1 lb of lean (I realise saving lean on a weight loss is an uphill battle).

I've had 300g protein days (bacon and eggs for breakfast, steak for dinner, chicken fajitas for lunch) and generally pick higher-protein/low-carb options whenever I can.

So I'd argue there's no such thing as too much protein. The great thing about protein is when you've had "too much", your body flushes it. You can tell when your pee makes the toilet water frothy (or more bubbly than usual).

Famzav8

so bump means it is a topic that has already been shared somewhere else? I am unclear on that as well......sound's like someone is saying, "Bump........been there done that heard that before"....kind of rude if that is the case.

If you are not trying to build muscle, the excess protein can be hard for your kidney's to handle and put a little strain on them....if you are lifting some serious weight, your body will use a lot of that protein.
If you are sedentary, I don't recommend that much protein.

Sorry still learning how to use this - I am not doing "serious" weight lifting....... I am workign out about 3 x a week - running 3-4 miles, and then some lighter weight lifting on nautilus machines for an additional 20 min or so.....

Famzav8

I don't believe there's too much protein.

I'm working on burning fat off my body (I'd like to keep most of the lean mass I've still got!) and so my daily goals are:

Carbs: 47
Fats: 74
Protein: 260

and my average intake is

Carbs: ~80
Fats: ~ 130
Protein: ~ 160

Some days are higher and some are lower; but since starting I've lost 2.5 lbs of fat for every 1 lb of lean (I realise saving lean on a weight loss is an uphill battle).

I've had 300g protein days (bacon and eggs for breakfast, steak for dinner, chicken fajitas for lunch) and generally pick higher-protein/low-carb options whenever I can.

So I'd argue there's no such thing as too much protein. The great thing about protein is when you've had "too much", your body flushes it. You can tell when your pee makes the toilet water frothy (or more bubbly than usual).

I'm guessing those are your net carbs?

myofibril

I am currently following an eating plan where I am eating 80 - 90 grams of protein a day. It is going very well, however I have a question. There have been some days where I realize I have eaten 100-120 grams of protein once I add it up. Is there a adverse effect if I am eating over my goal protein? I am 27, 5'6'', and currently weigh 194. My protein comes from protein shakes, tuna, chicken, almonds, cashew, yogurt, turkey, fat free cottage cheese - all good stuff! Any information for me guys?

I'm assuming that you do not have any pre existing kidney problems.

if that is the case then keep going. You are doing very well and are on the road to success. There is not a single study that I have seen which shows that a high protein diet is harmful for an individual with normal kidney function. In truth, I wouldn't consider that intake "high" to begin with.

Famzav8

This is all great info becaus ethere have been days where I have thought I needed to add another 100-200 calories back in, but I wasn't sure if I could go "over" on my protein. Thanks for all teh responses everyone!

JDMPWR

I am at almost 1.4 grams per lb. No issues for me so far!!!

chrissym78

I have eaten 100g+ of protein every day since Aug 1, 2010 and feel amazing! The trick is keep your carbs on the low side too Good luck!

SHBoss1673

Most of the sports nutrition organizations I've seen put the number between .8 and 1.7 grams per kilogram body weight depending on what your goals are. I've heard the 1 gram per pound argument thrown out there before, but nobody's ever actually been able to put any science behind that. Most experts I've talked to and read on agree that the body can use up to about 30 to 35% protein for muscle synthesis, anything above that and you're using it as fuel (either stored or immediate).

All of the below associations all recommend between .08 and 1.7 grams per KILOGRAM (I.E. .35 to .75 grams per pound) even for resistance training and muscle growth. I doubt 1 gram per pound would be an issue, but I don't think it's necessary.


-National Strength and Conditioning Association
-American Council on Exercise
-American College of Sports Medicine
-Cooper Institute
(many others, I just didn't have time to confirm them right now, I didn't want to put anything down unless I confirmed it first, these four above are all reputable organizations and I have confirmed all of them)

Remember, long term very high protein intake MAY have adverse affects on your body. It could affect mineral balance, kidney function, liver function, and colonic function. I'm not saying you WILL see these side effect, just that it's possible, and really there's no evidence to show that eating lots of protein is helpful in any way so. I say why risk it?

johnwhitent

The need for protein varies widely from individual to individual. Most people on this site are going to be frequent exercisers - and often strenuous exercisers as well, so we need a good deal more than a couch potato to repair/build muscle. I went to my settings and upped the protein percentage 5% and reduced the fat amount. That gets me on track with the recommendations for my level of exercise