A little backwards...regarding protein

stephmt528
stephmt528 Posts: 4
in Food and Nutrition
Hi-

I just started using MFP 2 weeks ago. I am loving it so far! I'm a bit surprised by how much protein I'm eating. I have not necessarily changed my eating habits, but have been entering everything in and adjusting portions and what I choose for snacks to meet my daily intakes. Going into this I would have thought that I would have more issues keeping my calories, carbs, and fats down, but it's actually the protein I'm having difficulty with!

Replies

  • KacieHetrick
    KacieHetrick Posts: 259 Member
    I have a horrible time getting enough protein! LOL What are you eating!?
  • mmklinemm
    mmklinemm Posts: 58 Member
    That's a good thing! The more protein, the better.
  • Syreeta6
    Syreeta6 Posts: 377 Member
    Why would you want to keep protein down? I have trouble reaching my protein goal and have to drink nasty shakes as a result.
  • My1985Freckles
    My1985Freckles Posts: 1,039 Member
    MFP's protein default is VERY low. I lose weight better with more protein/less carbs. I might have to peek at your diary to see what you snack on since I never seem to be able to get as much protein as I would like! :flowerforyou:
  • Chunky_Monkey18
    Chunky_Monkey18 Posts: 1
    I'm having the same problem, but my Iron is really low too. High protein, low iron? I always thought those things went hand in hand. What's the deal?
  • hedgiie
    hedgiie Posts: 1,226 Member
    That's a good thing! The more protein, the better.

    not exactly, right amount of protein is the best. too high then it's just a waste plus it's stressfull to your liver, and may cause gas also. too low then you are sacrificing muscle loss and total conditioning
  • JupitersGhost
    JupitersGhost Posts: 64 Member
    As far as I'm aware, you don't need to worry about going over with your protein intake too much.

    I've seen many people say that MFP sets people with a very small protein limit (15% of calorie intake) and that it may be best to increase it. Mine is currently set at 30% and I find it encourages me to get all the protein I need as I never used to get enough (roughly 5-8% of my calorie intake).

    Just my 2 cents - I'm no where near as knowlegdable as others on the forums.

    Edit: Also, if you're consuming a lot of protein, make sure you're drinking enough water as it can put stress on your body trying to process it all.
  • Tree72
    Tree72 Posts: 942 Member
    Hello, welcome to MFP. :) Unless you have some health issue where it will be a problem (typically kidney issues), then eating more than the specified amount of protein shouldn't cause you any problems. There is some argument as to how much protein is optimal for weight loss. The default setting on MFP is pretty much the lowest recommended percentage. Many of us switch it up and manually set our goals so that protein makes up a higher percentage of our daily calories.
  • icemaiden17_uk
    icemaiden17_uk Posts: 463 Member
    If you are working out then don't worry about it!! You will need that protein to build muscle! I have the oposite problem! My protein is rubbish and I am doing cardio and strength training and losing muscle mass!! It sucks!! I want to lose fat not muscle!!

    Anyway, as I said, don't worry! If you are not working out then maybe start weighing your protien a bit more strickly?
  • k011185
    k011185 Posts: 320 Member
    The mfp protein goals are quite low, I use it as a minimum instead of a max!
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    Are you using the default macros? The consensus seems to be that the protein requirements are on the low side.
  • NoraMich84
    NoraMich84 Posts: 109 Member
    First off welcome :happy: I know people say that the protein macro here is generally low, so it's okay if you go over. Unless you have restrictions from the doctor, extra protein is good for you. It aids in muscle recovery and it digest slower so you feel satisfied longer. If seeing the red bothers you, you can adjust your macros to suite your needs. I adjusted my macros to get 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30%. That gives me over 100 grams of protein a day!!! Yup, lots of protein. So I think you are okay.
  • stephmt528
    stephmt528 Posts: 4
    I'm going over what MFP says I should for protein. That's why I'm curious.

    That's interesting that it's felt that the protein default is low...I also figured that if I was going over on anything that protein would be the best one. But I also know there should be a balance between all of them for optimum metabolism. Just surprised me...

    Does everyone follow the defaults or daily intakes given by MFP, or do you use other resources to adjust?
  • WhitneyAnnabelle
    WhitneyAnnabelle Posts: 724 Member
    It's amazing how many people on here (specifically omnivores) have trouble getting enough protein considering the protein obsession, if you will, in this country. I've read so many articles about how Americans usually get way too much protein than they need. I'm vegan, so I definitely have trouble getting it. But meat/dairy/egg eaters...why aren't you getting enough protein?
  • WhitneyAnnabelle
    WhitneyAnnabelle Posts: 724 Member
    I didn't mean that in a snarky way-- I'm just legitimately curious
  • carld256
    carld256 Posts: 855 Member
    MFP's protein recommendations aren't low. The USDA recommends 56g a day for men and 46g a day for women. MFP suggests 67g a day for me.
  • tamsinwhitfield
    tamsinwhitfield Posts: 135 Member
    I'm having the same problem, but my Iron is really low too. High protein, low iron? I always thought those things went hand in hand. What's the deal?

    Red meat is iron rich, not so much white (if that's where you're getting your protein from). Iron is easy enough to bump up though.

    And, yeah, along the lines of what others have posted - I use the MFP protein quantity as a minimum value rather than max (as advised by my trainer, particularly on workout days).
  • dbsykes
    dbsykes Posts: 5
    Nothing to add on the subject, just wanted to thank you for posting it. I'm having the same problem. Doing great in all the other areas but going over on my protein everyday.
  • Jacwhite22
    Jacwhite22 Posts: 7,010 Member
    MFP's protein recommendations aren't low. The USDA recommends 56g a day for men and 46g a day for women. MFP suggests 67g a day for me.
    And that's low. Most will agree you should target 1g protein / 1 lb lbm
  • rileamoyer
    rileamoyer Posts: 2,412 Member
    I thought I ate lots of protein until I started logging. Still have trouble eating enough
  • WhitneyAnnabelle
    WhitneyAnnabelle Posts: 724 Member
    My macros are set at 40/30/30, and my suggested protein is literally more than I weigh.

    Edit: Grams to pounds
  • chickentunashake
    chickentunashake Posts: 164 Member
    MFP's protein default is VERY low. I lose weight better with more protein/less carbs. I might have to peek at your diary to see what you snack on since I never seem to be able to get as much protein as I would like! :flowerforyou:

    Definitely agree. The default Is very low. I'm eating at least a gram of protein per pound of my body weight and much lower carbs they are suggesting and i have great results
  • strunkm4
    strunkm4 Posts: 265 Member
    I average 130g of protein a day. You don't want to try and stay at what MFP sets you, the set you very low to begin with. Don't worry about going over, if anything try and make sure your always red in that numbers!


    Edit** My macros are set at 40/40/20 (p/c/f)
  • HauteP1nk
    HauteP1nk Posts: 2,139 Member
    I always go over on protein and fibre. So annoying...lol
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Hi-

    I just started using MFP 2 weeks ago. I am loving it so far! I'm a bit surprised by how much protein I'm eating. I have not necessarily changed my eating habits, but have been entering everything in and adjusting portions and what I choose for snacks to meet my daily intakes. Going into this I would have thought that I would have more issues keeping my calories, carbs, and fats down, but it's actually the protein I'm having difficulty with!

    Do you have diabetes or any other disease or ailment that could affect your kidneys? If not, then extra protein in unlikely to hurt you. Eating more protein than your body can use tasks your kidneys, so the "more protien is better" advice you get a lot on MFP is not always true. If your protein numbers are consistently way over the goal, or you have any medical conditions, it would be wise to talk to your physician about it to be sure it's not a problem for you.
  • dlyeates
    dlyeates Posts: 875 Member
    Please share what you are eating!!! My macros are set at 40/30/30 (c/p/f) and I'm not a nazi about carbs or fat but I try to at least meet my protein and its darn near impossible!!! So I try to get close and at least break 100!!
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Are you using the default macros? The consensus seems to be that the protein requirements are on the low side.

    The MFP consensus maybe, but not the medical consensus. Too much protein can be quite dangerous for some people.
  • mdinardo73
    mdinardo73 Posts: 15 Member
    Iron isn't necessarily in abundance in protein rich foods, more so in red meats and your leafy greens, dark greens.... A good multi-vitamin should top up your protein requirements. Even as a vegetarian I still find that my iron levels are good.... but I take a multi :)

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