HOW DO I REDUCE PROTEIN INTAKE???

Justien_c

Don't lower your protein intake. Think of the protein goal as a minimum goal. The extra protein will help you lose weight faster. I used to keep my protein abve 70g a day and lost tons of weight. Protein takes more for your body to break down. Watch your sodium intake as well as your calories and fats instead of worring about your protein intake. If you do lower it you may see your weight loss slow a bit. Protein is also great for developing muscle.

sixfeetunder2012

You might want to amend your MFP settings - 45g of protein would actually constitute a very low intake for someone trying to lose weight and get lean. It is quite a major flaw that this site's default recommendations advocate such a low protein intake. 100g a day MINIMUM would be a great for any adult trying to lose weight.

Per gram, protein is much lower calories than carbs or fat which means you can EAT MORE FOOD and protein has the added bonus of keeping you fuller for longer than carbs.

RobinL123

I struggled with the unrealistic protein goal each day too. Low fat cottage cheese at lunch or breakfast with fish or chicken in the evenings with lettuce was putting me over protein each day. I'm glad you posted this issue because I read many of the responses and the consensus is that MFP's protein allowance is low and most folks say that over protein is a good thing.

Thanks

paulslimjonesbryant

i keep too soups and wholemeal bread and can come just under

littlelily613

I guess I was wrong with my 100g number being POSSIBLY bad, like I mentioned lol. Anyway, my point stays the same as everyone elses: don't lower the protein. I am satisfied I get up to 60 or 70 somedays and really disappointed when I am under. I think some of the nutrients MFP on here should be red UNTIL you go over, and then turn to green such as protein. The key is, even if you are a meat-eater, to get the protein from a variety of sources: plant proteins as well as LEAN meats and non-plant proteins. You are certainly NOT going overboard. AND, FYI, if you are only going to get 1000 calories a day, which as you know is NOT good, then you SHOULD be eating as much protein as you can so your body doesn't start attacking your vital organs.

MissJenn33

DON'T LOWER YOUR PROTEIN!!!!!! I asked a similar question a few days ago. MFP protein level is the low end, not the high. I'm pretty sure it's impossible to contain myself to 50g of protein a day when more than half of that I eat @ breakfast!

I reasearched it and pretty much concluded that you should eat 1g protein for every lb of your GOAL weight. For me that's about 115g a day which is FAR more realistic than 50.

horror_hamster

You SHOULD go over your protein every day. The suggestions on here are way too low. There are a few nutrients you should go over: Vitamins, Protein and Fiber.

Um ... going over on some vitamins can be fatal ...

really? hmm.. which ones? by how much would you have to go over, etc.

If you're going to say something like this, please provide more information with scientific proof, some of us don't know these things and would like to learn.

caramkoala

why are you trying to LOWER your protein?

MFP lists the MINIMUM protein level you should have - not the maximum. More protein is actually better, MFP levels are really low. Ignore the RED on protein. Low protein is actually not better, on this number.

Protein helps you feel full longer, helps you retain lean muscle, help repair tissue damaged from exercise, and helps in muscle growth. Your body uses protein for every cell and oragan, it is very very necessary.

^This

QueenJayJay

The protein expectations on here are not advisable. You're doing fine.

rml_16

You SHOULD go over your protein every day. The suggestions on here are way too low. There are a few nutrients you should go over: Vitamins, Protein and Fiber.

Um ... going over on some vitamins can be fatal ...

really? hmm.. which ones? by how much would you have to go over, etc.

If you're going to say something like this, please provide more information with scientific proof, some of us don't know these things and would like to learn.

Vitamin A, vitamin D from the wrong sources.

I'm sure you all know how to use Google.

UsedToBeHusky

You can give it to me.

TigersFanHoosierMama

I adjusted mine manually. When you go to goals you can opt to custom goals. I keep whatever calories MFP recommends for me but I up the fiber and protein. For me it's a mental thing - seeing the red bugged me. Yet I was constantly over on fiber and protein. For protein I Just put in 30% and then 40% carbs 30% fat. For ME this combo seems to keep me most satisfied and is by no means "low carb".

For fiber I threw in 35 - I still go over quite often but I'm trying to learn to live with that little bit of red lol

Mama_CAEI

You SHOULD go over your protein every day. The suggestions on here are way too low. There are a few nutrients you should go over: Vitamins, Protein and Fiber.

Um ... going over on some vitamins can be fatal ...

really? hmm.. which ones? by how much would you have to go over, etc.

If you're going to say something like this, please provide more information with scientific proof, some of us don't know these things and would like to learn.

Vitamin A, vitamin D from the wrong sources.

I'm sure you all know how to use Google.

I remember this from bio: A, D, E and K are fat soluble so excess is stored in your fat and over time can become toxic. All over vitamins are water soluble, so you pee out whatever your body doesn't absorb.

badgerbadger1

Certain B vitamins also should not be overdone because they can cause an arrhythmia, etc.

jenng38

everyone is right...when I was getting 100g or more protein per day the weight was falling off. Concentrate on getting lean sources of protien (eggs, lowfat/fat free dairy like milk cottage cheese and yogurt. My favorite is 99% fat free extra lean ground turkey. It's the carbs you want to limit...especially the refined white carbs. Good luck!

JustMichelleB

i have seen patients put themselves into acute hepatiits from overdosing on Vitamin A. As someone else mentioned, you CAN overdose on fat soluble vitamins. Just because something is "good' for you doens't mean more is even better.

jonski1968

My protein intake according to Fitness pal should only be 56 grammes per day. I`ve always read that while weight lifting/trying to cut up i should be taking in around 1 gram per pound of lean body weight.

Punkedpoetess

I wouldn't reduce your protein intake as others have mentioned. Protein is important for your muscles and for building lean body mass. Also, protein helps you stay full. The 15% is a minimum and it is too low if you are active and especially if you do strength training. I increased mine to 20% and reduced my carbs to 50% at the beginning of the month. Since doing that I feel more satisfied foodwise and my strength training and running is going much better. I recommend keeping it at 15% or increasing your protein, not decreasing it.

koosdel

Start taking Alli. The excess protein will pass right through. Good luck!

kimclaws

my protein is always in the red, I eat up to 140 grams per day, but i am trying to build muscle, muscles need protein to grow. The rule that I go by it to eat 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight. So since i weight 117 i get a minimum of 117 grams of protein per day. you can go to your settings and change it if the red number is bothering you. but i would worry more about keeping your carbs, fat and sugars in check rather that lower your protein.

frugalmomsrock

Both the fiber and protein levels are "minimums," where the sodium is set to max. Don't worry a bit about eating more protein than that minimum-THAT should be your goal! It'll help you not to lose as much muscle during weightloss.