Eatng larger amounts (of protein) to make calorie limit

mabdunk15

I'm wondering if anyone actually "knows" the answer to this -- I get that "a calorie is a calorie"... My question is this:

I want to know if eating "larger" amounts of a protein like chicken or turkey is a detriment to what I am doing -- and I do this to "make" my calorie limit.

I am on a 1500 calorie limit. I do strength training twice a week. with a trainer for 45 minutes...weights, body weight, plyometrix, etc... On those days, I "try" to do Bikram Yoga (sometimes on both those days...and just started). I try to do spinning 2 days -- for a total of 4 days working out -- two different workouts on two days (sometimes)...

I generally have Steel Cut Oatmeal in the morning (to stick with me) and green tea (I HATE breakfast...but I do it)... Sometimes it's 2 hardboiled eggs and two slices of turkey bacon (sometimes real bacon)...

Lunch is usually a salad with spinach or romaine lettuce -- lots of veggies and chicken. I sometimes do an olive oil/balsamic vinegar for dressing -- sometimes I dress the salad with avacado (to act as dressing)...I don't use a regular salad dressing...

I snack on a variety of things: Almonds, a cheese stick, a greek yogurt...

Now here is a my issue -- (I take a variety of vitamins to make up for what I need) -- when it comes to dinner, I am usually "way below my caloric intake -- so to make up for it, I can end up eating about 3 turkey cutlets...which is about 12 ounces -- that is less than 400 calories (about 330). Add in some olive oil...let's say about 400-450 calories -- I usually pair my protein with TONS of veggies: steamed, boiled or sauteed broccoli (sometimes with parmesan cheese), really any veggie (and a LARGE amount) --

Is 12 ounces of a turkey or a chicken -- or maybe 8 ounces of a filet mignon a "detriment" to my losing weight -- I have been working at this for a few months -- but really "diligent" the last month...

I am not much of a snacker -- so eating at night or in between meals doesn't happen often, even though I do have the occasional snack as I listed above --

I just want to know -- if I am doing the exercising I am doing -- and I want to lose about 15 pounds, and I don't want to starve myself...if I need to eat 1,350 or 1,400 or 1,500 calories, is it OKAY to eat that much chicken or turkey (or fish.....) for dinner???

Thanks!

SideSteel

I want to know if eating "larger" amounts of a protein like chicken or turkey is a detriment to what I am doing -- and I do this to "make" my calorie limit.

I'm not sure I get it, but I'll keep reading.

I generally have Steel Cut Oatmeal in the morning (to stick with me) and green tea (I HATE breakfast...but I do it)...

Why are you eating breakfast if you hate eating breakfast?

Now here is a my issue -- (I take a variety of vitamins to make up for what I need) -- when it comes to dinner, I am usually "way below my caloric intake -- so to make up for it, I can end up eating about 3 turkey cutlets...which is about 12 ounces -- that is less than 400 calories (about 330). Add in some olive oil...let's say about 400-450 calories -- I usually pair my protein with TONS of veggies: steamed, boiled or sauteed broccoli (sometimes with parmesan cheese), really any veggie (and a LARGE amount) --

Is 12 ounces of a turkey or a chicken -- or maybe 8 ounces of a filet mignon a "detriment" to my losing weight -- I have been working at this for a few months -- but really "diligent" the last month...

If you are remaining in a calorie deficit over the course of time then the individual size of your meals will be of little to no importance. You will lose weight just fine doing as you describe.

I am not much of a snacker -- so eating at night or in between meals doesn't happen often, even though I do have the occasional snack as I listed above --

Eating at night is also perfectly fine provided your total intake is appropriate towards your goals.

robin52077

Everything Sidesteel said, plus...
If the main question is "Is too much protein bad?"... then the answer is generally "No, your goal is probably set too low as it is, if you used MFPs default".

Cranktastic

No, it's pointless. If you have a low calorie limit you should eat more fiber rich, low calorie foods.

not sure if srs.

pastryari

No, it's pointless. If you have a low calorie limit you should eat more fiber rich, low calorie foods.

If I understand correctly, I think OP has a problem with consuming enough calories. OP is using meat to reach their calorie goal so I don't think OP needs low calorie foods...

mabdunk15

Separate from the first person to reply -- (asking me why I eat breakfast if I hate it -- I eat it because it is what gets you going in the morning, plus I work out every morning -- so the answer is pretty obvious) --

I eat a TON of low calorie foods -- lots of veggies -- I eat fruit occasionally (I just don't like it -- I don't like anything sweet) --

I guess what I am asking is...if they tell you to eat 4 ounces of a meat/poultry (the size of a fist), am I hindering my weight loss by eating larger amounts of the "meat" -- I love the taste -- I enjoy turkey and chicken, etc...and I eat a TON of veggies --

What I don't eat a lot of is "carbs" -- I do try for 2-3 nights of eating brown rice or whole wheat pasta -- but I do limit those kinds of carbs -- I do get carbs from lots of green veggies and a few other areas --

I don't eat much bread at all --

It basically comes down to eating breakfast (to make sure I have enough energy and to kick start my metabolism and not starve myself), maybe having a snack after my workout(s), having a lunch of veggies and protein -- and then having to make up a large amount of calories at dinner --

I don't eat a snack at night because I am NOT hungry -- not because I think it's bad -- I am just not hungry -- but even if I did, we're talking about 100 calories -- I have a large caloric deficit to make up for come dinner time -- and taking care of a 4 year old at night, etc... I'm wiped and I just don't have it in me to force myself to have a snack...I'm not hungry --

I want to maintain my 1500 calories -- it is healthy while exercising as much as I am -- to make up for the calories most nights, I eat larger portions of the meat/poultry -- that's all --

Again, going back to the whole "3 oz/4 oz size of a fist thing" -- if I eat 12 ounces of turkey breast cutlet and am still under calorie, will I hinder weight loss, which is my goal (I suppose I didn't state that clearly earlier)...

Thanks!

SideSteel

Again, going back to the whole "3 oz/4 oz size of a fist thing" -- if I eat 12 ounces of turkey breast cutlet and am still under calorie, will I hinder weight loss, which is my goal (I suppose I didn't state that clearly earlier)...

Thanks!

No, it will not hinder weight loss. See my original reply.

Additionally, breakfast does not kickstart metabolism. Diet induced thermogenesis is based on total intake and macronutrient composition. It's not actually frequency based and you can safely skip meals without doing any metabolic damage.

Focus on total nutrition by end of day (calories and macros) and structure your meal frequency, feed times, and meal sizes according to personal preference.

CoderGal

No, it's pointless. If you have a low calorie limit you should eat more fiber rich, low calorie foods.

not sure if srs.

^LOL

Anyway, to the OP, my first advice is to learn about how nutrition works and how weight loss actually works and not depend on a site to do it for you.

Here's some stuff I've learned along the way:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/637094-cinderella-s-weight-loss-knowledge

As for nutrition and macronutrient questions...here's my version of a short summary on protein:

My fitnesspal goes by the number recommended by the RDI. This is a MINIMUM value to avoid a deficiency for the average person. If you're taller then the average person, or larger then the average person...I highly recommend a higher value

If you're sedentary and don't move around during the day (which I hope isn't the case) "The American and Canadian guidelines recommend a daily protein dietary allowance, measured as intake per kilogram body weight, is 0.8 g/kg.[15] However, this recommendation is based on structural requirements, but disregards use of protein for energy metabolism.[15] This requirement is for a normal sedentary person.[17]". That means if you're X kiligrams the average person should eat at least X*.8 grams of protein.

If you exercise "Suggested amounts vary between 1.6 g/kg and 1.8 g/kg". Make sure you do this calculation in kg. I'll give you me as an example:
Weight = 120lbs = 54.4311kg
Protein = (1.8 g/kg) * Weight= (1.8 g/kg) * (54.4311kg) = 97.97598g

So according to these people I should eat about 98g of protein a day.

Read more:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein_(nutrient)

pastryari

Again, going back to the whole "3 oz/4 oz size of a fist thing" -- if I eat 12 ounces of turkey breast cutlet and am still under calorie, will I hinder weight loss, which is my goal (I suppose I didn't state that clearly earlier)...

Thanks!

No. As long as you are not in a calorie surplus, your weight loss will not be hindered.

marycmeadows

No, it's pointless. If you have a low calorie limit you should eat more fiber rich, low calorie foods.

sorry. this is WRONG.

Blueberry09

My take on this - and I could be way off base here - is she's concerned about portion size. Portion size is what got me to this site in the first place!

I get that if it fits within your daily macros, go for it, however once you get used to eating larger meals, it's tough to go back to smaller ones. I too, try to get my protein in by having 6-8 oz of lean meat for dinner - fits within my macros, but gosh that's a lot of food some days! Especially paired with lots of steamed veggies!

mabdunk15

Thank you...everyone -- You have all been incredibly thoughtful --

I feel like I have a good grasp on nutrition...good carbs vs. bad carbs and what my body needs --

My trainer actually put in the numbers for me on this site -- the limit on calories and carbs and protein and fat --- I am pretty evenly dispersed --

It all comes down to the last post on here -- "portion control" -- I just couldn't come up with those two exact words --

I want to lose 15 pounds (put on in the last year ...my dad dying suddenly (though living in a hospital for 2 months being told he would survive), my mom having a massive heart attack 2 months later -- just TONS of stress and not sleeping and not exercising...poor meal choices -- I want to lose these 15 pounds -- I don't starve myself -- I drink TONS of water -- I make sure I have protein after a tough workout to help muscle repair --

Like I said, lots of veggies, protein -- I would like to think I eat a TON of fiber with all the spinach and fiber rich foods I do eat that are not starchy carbs --

So, yes...portion control --

I think what I have gotten from all the replies is that it really does come down to a calorie being a calorie -- and if I am at 900 calories by dinner...then 12 ounces of turkey breast cutlet is okay to have if it means reaching my goal of 1500

I guess to some I should have more than 1500 calories...but I am trying to get down to pre-baby weight (4 years later) -- and for that, my trainer put me on 1500 (with weekends being 1700) -- but I hardly ever go over 1500 -- and I'm not "losing" the weight the way I thought --

Yes, I know muscle weighs more and I shouldn't watch the scale -- but the clothes aren't fitting -- and I have been diligent for a month -- but doing the weight training 2 days a week since May!

Thanks everyone -- I appreciate you reading my posts and taking the time to reply -- this is the first time I've ever used an online forum -- so thanks!

tigersword

Why are you relying on a trainer for your nutrition? They generally have no education in that area. Also, there's no such thing as "good" carbs and "bad" carbs. Carbs are carbs, they are all 4 calories per gram. You don't gain muscle on a calorie deficit. If you aren't losing weight, then your numbers are incorrect. It's that simple.

mabdunk15

...Because my trainer is actually a "registered dietician" as well as a certified trainer -- and as for the "good carb vs. bad carbs", I think everyone would agree brown rice is better than white rice -- and whole wheat is better than white --

My point being that, when I do have carbs, I eat the so-called "right" carbs....that's all --

I'm pretty meticulous with my numbers (have a scale, etc...) -- so that's why I posted -- because I am very careful with my numbers and just wanted to see if the portion control issue at dinner would/should be a concern...

LaurenAOK

No, eating large amounts of meat at once will not hinder your weight loss. Eating too many (or possibly too few) calories is the only thing that would hinder your weight loss. It sounds like you're right on track to me.

SideSteel

", I think everyone would agree brown rice is better than white rice --

I disagree.

My point being that, when I do have carbs, I eat the so-called "right" carbs....that's all --

Can you tell me what properties you use to judge a carb as being good or bad? I'm curious.

emmeylou

This is one of those issues where you are going to get people arguing both sides!!! I am VERY fond of protein! I think it is the most important part of out diet... since you are definitely still eating carbs I think there is ZERO problem with eating more meat!!

I hate breakfast too, but I found that I actually just don't like "breakfast" foods, so I stopped eating them. I generally eat meat for breakfast... I know its different but it is very filling and starts my day off with a boost of protein.

I also do not believe in the "calorie in, calorie out" idea. It makes it sound like it doesn't matter what you eat, and if that was the case then I might as well just get in my daily allotment of calories thru ice cream and chocolate bars.

If you are worried about increasing your calories, why not try some meat that has a bit of fat to it? Like pork... yes it has some fat, but fat+protein= good (carbs+fat=bad)... it was explained to me that protein and fat is like an old fashioned brick house. The protein is the bricks, and the fat is the mortar. You need both for a solid wall. So, while we shouldn't go crazy, I no longer worry about the fat content in my meat.

Good luck!

shirleygirl910

Learn for yourself what you want to do. For me with that much exercise I eat more protein than carbs, but everything has it's place. Try eating more of your calories in breakfast or lunch. Think of it in a pyramid. Most of your food earlier in the day. If you like peanut butter, add a tablespoon or two to your steel but oats, if you don't like breakfast foods, eat lunch or dinner foods for lunch, just don't skip breakfast.