High Calorie Low Protein Foods

MissyFit08
MissyFit08 Posts: 274 Member
edited October 21 in Food and Nutrition
I already looked on the boards but couldn't find what I was looking for.
I have no problem meeting or even going over my protein for the day.

My problem is that I often have 500-800 Calories left but I'm not sure what to eat without going way overboard on the protein.

If anyone can suggest healthy options I would really appreciate it.
Thanks! :flowerforyou:
«1

Replies

  • skylark94
    skylark94 Posts: 2,036 Member
    The MFP number for protein is your MINIMUM for the day.
  • I had this problem recently as I had a health issue that required me to watch both my protein and sodium intake. I started heading for the Frosted Shredded Wheat with half a cup of skim milk (about 190 + 40 cals) and cinamon raisin english muffins (I prefer them because I think they taste so good I don't add butter or honey like I do the plain ones). I also don't watch my carbs that much though.
  • MissyFit08
    MissyFit08 Posts: 274 Member
    The MFP number for protein is your MINIMUM for the day.

    Yes, I understood that. I also read up online how much protein I should have in a day and had already adjusted for that. Therein lies my problem. I'm getting too much on top of what I'm already giving myself for the day.
  • berryjk
    berryjk Posts: 120
    according to MFP it says 87g daily protein for me and that is putting in 90 mins of high intensity working out, but my trainer recommends I take in 200-300g daily to accommodate my work out routine! so in my opinion i wouldn't worry to much about going over if you're exercising as well!
  • MissyFit08
    MissyFit08 Posts: 274 Member
    I had this problem recently as I had a health issue that required me to watch both my protein and sodium intake. I started heading for the Frosted Shredded Wheat with half a cup of skim milk (about 190 + 40 cals) and cinamon raisin english muffins (I prefer them because I think they taste so good I don't add butter or honey like I do the plain ones). I also don't watch my carbs that much though.

    Thanks! My carbs are lacking too so that'll work for me.
  • MissyFit08
    MissyFit08 Posts: 274 Member
    according to MFP it says 87g daily protein for me and that is putting in 90 mins of high intensity working out, but my trainer recommends I take in 200-300g daily to accommodate my work out routine! so in my opinion i wouldn't worry to much about going over if you're exercising as well!

    Really? that much in a day if you're exercising that intensely? I do about 20 minutes of exercising as I'm still nursing and the baby doesn't really allow for long periods of time in exercising.
  • vanillarama
    vanillarama Posts: 101 Member
    Looking at your diary, the answers seems fairly straightforward- more fruit and vegetables.
  • skylark94
    skylark94 Posts: 2,036 Member
    The MFP number for protein is your MINIMUM for the day.

    Yes, I understood that. I also read up online how much protein I should have in a day and had already adjusted for that. Therein lies my problem. I'm getting too much on top of what I'm already giving myself for the day.

    Gotcha :wink: Most folks who ask your question just get freaked out by the red number and don't understand that sometimes over is a good thing.

    Is there a medical reason why you are trying to limit protein? What is your daily goal?
  • If you are full and your goal is weight loss you can be under on the recommended intakes as long as your protien is enough for muscle repair.
  • MissyFit08
    MissyFit08 Posts: 274 Member
    Looking at your diary, the answers seems fairly straightforward- more fruit and vegetables.

    I wish I could eat more of that, as I'm from New Orleans, the grocery stores pretty much only have boxed and canned foods right now :grumble:

    Do you think canned fruit would make a difference right now?
  • MissyFit08
    MissyFit08 Posts: 274 Member
    The MFP number for protein is your MINIMUM for the day.

    Yes, I understood that. I also read up online how much protein I should have in a day and had already adjusted for that. Therein lies my problem. I'm getting too much on top of what I'm already giving myself for the day.

    Gotcha :wink: Most folks who ask your question just get freaked out by the red number and don't understand that sometimes over is a good thing.

    Is there a medical reason why you are trying to limit protein? What is your daily goal?

    haha! I know, it gets funny sometimes. No medical reason. I just read that too much protein can hurt your liver. I have about 65g of protein and I get up to at least 75g. Maybe I'm overthinking it? I guess I'm more worried about giving my baby something thru the bf-ing.
  • takumaku
    takumaku Posts: 352 Member
    My suggestion to OP is to eat more starchy vegetables (potatoes, corn, green peas, beans), dried fruits, or drink fruit juices.


    Why do people believe the protein setting is too low? The default is set to 15%. This is the recommendation by the US gov. From personal experience, I had a dietition review my lifestyle (cubicle worker + runner) and confirm 15% protein was all that I needed.
  • skylark94
    skylark94 Posts: 2,036 Member
    The MFP number for protein is your MINIMUM for the day.

    Yes, I understood that. I also read up online how much protein I should have in a day and had already adjusted for that. Therein lies my problem. I'm getting too much on top of what I'm already giving myself for the day.

    Gotcha :wink: Most folks who ask your question just get freaked out by the red number and don't understand that sometimes over is a good thing.

    Is there a medical reason why you are trying to limit protein? What is your daily goal?

    haha! I know, it gets funny sometimes. No medical reason. I just read that too much protein can hurt your liver. I have about 65g of protein and I get up to at least 75g. Maybe I'm overthinking it? I guess I'm more worried about giving my baby something thru the bf-ing.

    You would have to consume that number many times over to cause any damage to a healthy liver. I aim for 100-135 grams per day.

    A quick Google of "protein and breastfeeding" got me " There are estimates to suggest that approximately 65 grams of protein a day are required, but I've seen that number go as high as 80 to 100 grams per day. "

    When in doubt, ask your doctor. Congrats on the baby :flowerforyou:
  • vanillarama
    vanillarama Posts: 101 Member
    Missy, canned fruit tends to be packed in corn syrup- I'd avoid it. I see your point though- what about frozen? That could be a good option.
  • berryjk
    berryjk Posts: 120
    according to MFP it says 87g daily protein for me and that is putting in 90 mins of high intensity working out, but my trainer recommends I take in 200-300g daily to accommodate my work out routine! so in my opinion i wouldn't worry to much about going over if you're exercising as well!

    Really? that much in a day if you're exercising that intensely? I do about 20 minutes of exercising as I'm still nursing and the baby doesn't really allow for long periods of time in exercising.

    Yep...between resistance training and cardio i need the protein to help maintain my LBM
  • MissyFit08
    MissyFit08 Posts: 274 Member
    wow...thanks for the response guys!

    I plan to go to walmart tomorrow to see if anything is stocked up again. Last time I went a few days ago. There was hardly any meat. No fresh fruits or veggies and the entire freezer dept was wiped out!

    According to what you said, Skylark, I feel better about going over on my proteins then. I have my baby's appt on Monday so I'll just ask his doc what he thinks about that.

    And I LOVE FRUIT JUICE!!! I'll stock up on that in case this happens to me again.
  • AmandaTWaH
    AmandaTWaH Posts: 181 Member
    Fruits and veggies are great. Whenever I'm low on calories I usually reach for some avocado. Full of nutrients and healthy fats!
  • zaph0d
    zaph0d Posts: 1,172 Member
    You are a little misguided. You don't have to limit your protein. If you go by the MFP default numbers, you SHOULD be going over every day.
  • MissyFit08
    MissyFit08 Posts: 274 Member
    You are a little misguided. You don't have to limit your protein. If you go by the MFP default numbers, you SHOULD be going over every day.

    I'm not misguided. I had programmed everything. I didn't go the "recommended" route. I already do go over. By a lot. which is why I had posted this topic.
  • zaph0d
    zaph0d Posts: 1,172 Member
    You are a little misguided. You don't have to limit your protein. If you go by the MFP default numbers, you SHOULD be going over every day.

    I'm not misguided. I had programmed everything. I didn't go the "recommended" route. I already do go over. By a lot. which is why I had posted this topic.

    Your protein goal in your diary is 56. That's low. You can safely double that.

    Your stated goal weight is 135. Assuming you're at a nice lean 20% BF at that weight, you can optimally eat around 108g of protein per day. Even if you go over that by tens of grams, it's not an issue.
  • anysea
    anysea Posts: 2
    A parallel issue-- I have to limit protein to under 50 gr/day due to a kidney condition. AND I have to add weight. Is there any other suggestion than simplymtomeat more fruit and vegetables? Thanks
  • Sieden76
    Sieden76 Posts: 127 Member
    The MFP number for protein is your MINIMUM for the day.

    Yes, I understood that. I also read up online how much protein I should have in a day and had already adjusted for that. Therein lies my problem. I'm getting too much on top of what I'm already giving myself for the day.

    Gotcha :wink: Most folks who ask your question just get freaked out by the red number and don't understand that sometimes over is a good thing.

    Is there a medical reason why you are trying to limit protein? What is your daily goal?

    How about too much protein is bad for your kidneys
  • redhead1910
    redhead1910 Posts: 304 Member
    I literally have the exact opposite problem.
  • Silver14
    Silver14 Posts: 141
    A parallel issue-- I have to limit protein to under 50 gr/day due to a kidney condition. AND I have to add weight. Is there any other suggestion than simplymtomeat more fruit and vegetables? Thanks

    Avocado, olive oil, nuts (they have protein but more Cals and fat), oats, toast, bread, banana bread, cereal, honey etc etc
  • TS65
    TS65 Posts: 1,024 Member
    The MFP number for protein is your MINIMUM for the day.

    Yes, I understood that. I also read up online how much protein I should have in a day and had already adjusted for that. Therein lies my problem. I'm getting too much on top of what I'm already giving myself for the day.

    You have your protein set to 60. That is WAY too low! You should be shooting for .75 - 1 g per lb of Lean Muscle Mass.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I'd shoot for grains with fat and sugar.

    Whole grain pancakes or waffles w/ fried apples
    Guacomole w/ tortilla chips
    Oats w/ peanut butter (depending on how low you need protein)
    Fried rice
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    The MFP number for protein is your MINIMUM for the day.

    Yes, I understood that. I also read up online how much protein I should have in a day and had already adjusted for that. Therein lies my problem. I'm getting too much on top of what I'm already giving myself for the day.

    You have your protein set to 60. That is WAY too low! You should be shooting for .75 - 1 g per lb of Lean Muscle Mass.

    Oh stop! 60 is not WAY too low. Yes, she could eat more, but it's not as if she's going to waste away by eating 60 g of protein per day.
  • waldo56
    waldo56 Posts: 1,861 Member
    If you are full and your goal is weight loss you can be under on the recommended intakes as long as your protien is enough for muscle repair.

    ?

    A high protein intake is more important when losing than when gaining.

    Protein will help spare the loss of muscle mass, thus helping to prevent skinnyfat syndrome.
  • BrunetteRunner87
    BrunetteRunner87 Posts: 591 Member
    I wish I had your problem, I can't seem to get enough protein. I guess everything I eat then! I would eat lots of yummy pasta and fruit.
  • RosemaryEBrown
    RosemaryEBrown Posts: 12 Member
    The average American diet contains meat and dairy products. As a result, it is often too high in protein. This can lead to a number of serious health problems:

    Kidney Disease: When people eat too much protein, they take in more nitrogen than they need. This places a strain on the kidneys, which must expel the extra nitrogen through urine. People with kidney disease are encouraged to eat low-protein diets. Such a diet reduces the excess levels of nitrogen and can also help prevent kidney disease.
    Cancer: Although fat is the dietary substance most often singled out for increasing cancer risk, protein also plays a role. Populations who eat meat regularly are at increased risk for colon cancer, and researchers believe that the fat, protein, natural carcinogens, and absence of fiber in meat all play roles. The 1997 report of the World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research, Food, Nutrition, and the Prevention of Cancer, noted that meaty, high-protein diets were linked with some types of cancer.
    Osteoporosis and Kidney Stones: Diets that are rich in animal protein cause people to excrete more calcium than normal through their kidneys and increase the risk of osteoporosis. Countries with lower-protein diets have lower rates of osteoporosis and hip fractures.
    Increased calcium excretion increases risk for kidney stones. Researchers in England found that when people added about 5 ounces of fish (about 34 grams of protein) to a normal diet, the risk of forming urinary tract stones increased by as much as 250 percent.
This discussion has been closed.