Carbs vs Protein

TamaraHaase

I try to eat around 1300-1500 calories a day. My problem is lately I'm having a very hard time getting my protein in and have been going over on carbs! For weight loss, not long term health, is this a problem? I know that 1 gram of carbs is 4 calories, as is 1 gram of protein. So will it really hurt me if I go over on my carbs, don't get enough protein, but am still within my caloric intake goal for the day? Or actually, what I'm asking is will it hurt my weight loss?

carld256

It's hard to say anything without knowing what sort of numbers you're talking about. How much protein does MFP recommend, and how much are you typically getting?

monty619

the body does not need carbs to maintain muscle mass... it needs protein and fats however. so if you are going to go over on a macro it should be protein over carbohydrates to make sure you get enough or else you are risking losing lean muscle tissue and slowing your metabolic rate.

anunknownmouse

It will not hurt your weight loss. But it will possibly hurt your fat loss, because if you have insufficient protein you're going to be burning more muscle. So it's a matter of priorities. The number, or how you will actually feel and look.

mmapags

Your diary is not open so it's hard to take a look and tell anything. Generally speaking, hitting your protein total is more important than your carb total. There is so much unknown.
What kind of exercise are you doing?
How frequently?
Did you use MFP defaults for your carb, fat protein settings?
What is your weight loss goal?

TamaraHaase

I opened up my diary, and I guess after taking a look at it, I'm not over on carbs as much as I thought, but I am still having troubles getting my protein in! My goal is to lose 66-81 pounds, the final result will be more based on my percentage of body fat rather than total weight.

After reading these boards and some of the links directed from these boards, I put in my own percentages of 40% protein, 35% carbs and 25% fat. I have played around with this just a little bit, but only with protein being 35% and fat 30%. I just recently put it to these figures thinking I should have more protein.

As for exercise, right now I am doing the 30 day shred five days a week. My exercise log doesn't accurately reflect this as I am using a Polar FT60, so I enter it in as circuit training and adjust the time to match the calories up with what my hrm says. I usually walk one to two miles at least three days a week as well. This week I have not because it has been raining all week and I do not have a treadmill or gym membership.

MonicaT1972

Everyone's body is different.

All I can speak from is experience with a body with PCOS. I need to keep my protein high and my carbs down to lose.

anunknownmouse

You could probably lower your protein down a bit from 150g/day to closer to 120, seems more reasonable. Your fats look a bit low, so you might want to consider upping those a little bit. Are you having trouble getting your protein in because you don't know what to eat, or because you eat too many carbs and eat less protein to compensate?

Dave198lbs

well looking at the last few days of your diary, you seem to eat alot of convenience food. subway seems to be a popular choice for you. Not bashing subway at all, but you could cut alot of carbs and save some money by making a less bready sandwhich at home. just a thought.

TheBraveryLover

For me, personally, protein is the best macro to focus on. I definitely have days where I'm low in it (usually on my off days) but at least 5 days a week I get a minimum of 100 grams in within about a 1400 calorie goal (minimum). Carbs usually fall into place at a moderate amount if I meet my protein goal.

cannonsky

I was having this same sort of problem. To help out I cut out some unnecessary carbs (sweets, making lettuce wraps rather than sandwiches). I also started replaces my post workout snack with a protein shake. You can find many that are high protein, low carb.

DaveC29

Don't know what your diet is, but meats, especially fish is high in protein. More meats, less starches (potatoes, rice, bread, pasta, etc.) should help you get the balance correct.

Good luck!

SuffolkSally

I looked at your diary and think if it's feasible it would be a good idea to ditch Subway/ready meals/processed foods as much as possible. That would bring your carbs right down as that's mostly where they're coming from when you're over. Homemade stuff using lean meat and fish will up your protein. More importantly, you're likely to get better nutrition and hugely cut your sodium intake.

I struggled quite a bit with this balance myself, especially as I don't want to use protein shakes (euuw!), but have pretty much got there by adding beans, chickpeas and lentils to my meals.

mmapags

protein shakes help.

What Pu said. In looking at your diary, you are starting your day with a breakfast that is primarily carbs. Start with some protein. Eggs are very low in calories. Boiled eggs are about 70 calories each and you'll get the jump on protein with 3 or 4 for breakfast. have one protein shake a day and you can add approximatley 50 grams of protein. do both those things together and you are hitting your protein goal. Also with the workout your doing protein for muscle recovery is good. By doing both of these things you will lower your carbs and be on a good track to lose weight and get you muscles in shape. Congratulation on your commitment and decision to make a differnce in your life!

ChrisGoldn

protein shakes help.

What Pu said. In looking at your diary, you are starting your day with a breakfast that is primarily carbs. Start with some protein.

Alot of people get this stuck in their head.... Carbs... If your gonna have them are best in the morning
then later in the day... Taking in the Morning gives your body the Fuel it needs from the "fasting" it did while you were asleep. And also the time it needs to burn the carbs during the day!!! That said you can also get both carbs and Protein in a good amount for breakfast, this will also curb your appetite and help you last thru til lunch time! If you working out, it is also good to have a protein shake afterwards

TamaraHaase

Thank you to everyone who has replied! I've lowered my protein to 35% and upped my fats to 30%. I'm going to try adding a protein to breakfast rather than a carb, and yes, stay away from subway! I'm going to try to focus my meals on the protein. Looking back at my diary for the week, I feel like I was slipping into old habits but justifying it by telling myself it's okay as long as I'm within my calorie goals. I'm also interested in trying a protein shake since that seems to be a great way to get in proteins. Although I have to say I'm nervous about it. My mother used to feed me diet shakes when I was a kid and I have been turned off from any sort of diet/sport drink ever since - even Gatorade. Any recommendations?

TamaraHaase

Alot of people get this stuck in their head.... Carbs... If your gonna have them are best in the morning
then later in the day... Taking in the Morning gives your body the Fuel it needs from the "fasting" it did while you were asleep. And also the time it needs to burn the carbs during the day!!! That said you can also get both carbs and Protein in a good amount for breakfast, this will also curb your appetite and help you last thru til lunch time! If you working out, it is also good to have a protein shake afterwards

Okay, I'll keep in a carb, like oatmeal, and add a protein!

Fieldsy

Carbs are easy, protein is hard.....protein gets you there though.

mmapags

Thank you to everyone who has replied! I've lowered my protein to 35% and upped my fats to 30%. I'm going to try adding a protein to breakfast rather than a carb, and yes, stay away from subway! I'm going to try to focus my meals on the protein. Looking back at my diary for the week, I feel like I was slipping into old habits but justifying it by telling myself it's okay as long as I'm within my calorie goals. I'm also interested in trying a protein shake since that seems to be a great way to get in proteins. Although I have to say I'm nervous about it. My mother used to feed me diet shakes when I was a kid and I have been turned off from any sort of diet/sport drink ever since - even Gatorade. Any recommendations?

I've used 2 that I think are both great from a nutritional point of view. One is Optimum Nutrition's 100% Gold Standard. It is an isolate and my only knock is that it's texture is a little thin if you mix with water. Less so if you mix with milk. The one I use regularly is Myofusion. it is an concentrate and ahs great texture. I love the chocolate and people say great things about the banana, although I have yet to try it. I'm sure others have great suggestions also.

TamaraHaase

There are actually whole threads on protein drinks, so I won't beg for suggestions here Thanks everyone!

ChrisGoldn

Personally i use a few....For Whey Protein: Nature's Best Isopure with my oatmeal in the morning... til thats gone! Dymatize Gourmet chocolate during the day/night. Optimum Nutrition's Casein at Night only before bedtime(its a slower release protein, hence feeds the body throughout your sleep) (im currently out of that atm lol) I personally dont mind having it with water, my best friend prefers it with milk. Either is fine. There is many Brands out there, Alot of them good... Some taste good, others better and others worst... But thats gonna be personal preference.

Fat_2_Fit_Mommy

I am having the same problem I been trying to up my protein but I get more carbs. I'm glad I'm not the Only one having this problem.

Fieldsy

Optimum Nutrition is by far the best brand of protein powders I have ever had.

It is a bit more costly, but way worth the price.

Order it from bodybuilding.com. They have the fastest shipping in the world.

ChrisGoldn

Optimum Nutrition is by far the best brand of protein powders I have ever had.

It is a bit more costly, but way worth the price.

Order it from bodybuilding.com. They have the fastest shipping in the world.

Have you tried Dymatize?? I love it! Best tasting for me( i know taste is a personal perference.)

Also www.netrition.com is super fast as well... maybe even faster then bodybuilding.com And they are a flat fee of 4.95 shipping per order. I've order stuff from them before 12p and had it the next day.

Fieldsy

haven't tried it yet, maybe someday....I am just really happy with ON and bodybuilding.com to get away from it