High Protein = Weight Gain?

sarah6336

I have started a high protein diet from my doctor that is supposed to reduce inflamation. I have gained two pounds since I started it, which is alarming. I restrict dairy and grains to once a day, and am eating plenty of protein from beans, eggs, fish, and lean meat. Is this stort term, or should I go back to eating a lot of dairy and whole grains? I'm on a 1200 calorie diet.

psuLemon

I have started a high protein diet from my doctor that is supposed to reduce inflamation. I have gained two pounds since I started it, which is alarming. I restrict dairy and grains to once a day, and am eating plenty of protein from beans, eggs, fish, and lean meat. Is this stort term, or should I go back to eating a lot of dairy and whole grains? I'm on a 1200 calorie diet.

Protein won't make you gain weight nor hold water. It's probably your workout routine and the fact you are eating very little. If you are any kind of active, 1200 calories isn't enough to fuel your body.

bcattoes

I have started a high protein diet from my doctor that is supposed to reduce inflamation. I have gained two pounds since I started it, which is alarming. I restrict dairy and grains to once a day, and am eating plenty of protein from beans, eggs, fish, and lean meat. Is this stort term, or should I go back to eating a lot of dairy and whole grains? I'm on a 1200 calorie diet.

Normally, protein would not cause weight gain if calories are consistent. But, if you are under a doctor's care, I'd suggest asking him/her this question since they are familiar with your history.

Chief_Rocka

No, unless you were eating more calories along with it. If you're eyeballing your meat serving sizes, this is very possible.

sarah6336

ty. I'll wait until next week (after Thanksgiving), and call if I continue to gain.

DopeItUp

Changing over to a protein-heavy diet does not cause you to gain fat, assuming your calories are still in line. Therefore, there's no reason to change back.

Ge0rgiana

This is water. It will go away.

cbrrabbit25

This is water. It will go away.

It may be this due to a higher salt intake. Are you keeping track of salt?

psuLemon

Why dont you open your diary so we can look at it. Also what is your exercise routine?

minsooky

No, eating calories over your maintenance level = weight gain (in the form of fat). You might just be bloated. 1200 is very low.

LexyDB

Protein does not promote water retention, no exception.

Macronutrients carbohydrates, fats and protein are used by the body in that order for both conversions to lipids (visceral and subcutaneous body fat) and as a fuel source in the same order. Protein being the last on the list for an energy source and producer of fat. Not to say it cannot happen but carbohydrates and fats have the lion's share of both worlds being the two fuel macronutrients and protein, loosely a collection of amino acids, are used as muscle building (amongst other things).

What does the rest of your diet consist of?

Has the doctor prescribed any medication?

luzmidd

Protein does not promote water retention, no exception.

Just remember the seasoning that goes with most protein: Salt! One of the main causes of water retention. You might just be over seasoning your food?! Up your water intake, or try a diuretic like green tea or something...

barbzwithtatts

Protein diets don't normally make you gain weight. Maybe you're consuming more calories since you started this diet? Either way it may be a good idea to just work out more and go along with your doctors orders in terms of eating.

LexyDB

Protein does not promote water retention, no exception.

Just remember the seasoning that goes with most protein: Salt! One of the main causes of water retention. You might just be over seasoning your food?! Up your water intake, or try a diuretic like green tea or something...

As I said, protein does not promote water retention.

Sodium on the other hand does. Eating carbohydrates also promotes water retention.

Someone is worried about water retention and you're advising drinking more water?

stacy_1971

If you want to reduce the inflammation in your body, then definitely limit the grains as they are pro-inflammatory. Also avoid foods that are considered high on the glycemic index load. The reason I say this is that I also have inflammation problems from an auto-immune disease and my doctor recommended an anti-inflammatory diet. Since she was also a nutritionist before she became a doctor, I put some stock into her advice. Personally, I think your weight gain is a fluke , as some of the other posters have alluded to. Just remember that there is a connection between weight gain and inflammation (also info from my doctor, plus I googled it and found articles that confirmed it).

luzmidd

Protein does not promote water retention, no exception.

Just remember the seasoning that goes with most protein: Salt! One of the main causes of water retention. You might just be over seasoning your food?! Up your water intake, or try a diuretic like green tea or something...

As I said, protein does not promote water retention.

Sodium on the other hand does. Eating carbohydrates also promotes water retention.

Someone is worried about water retention and you're advising drinking more water?

Yes, drinking more water stops water retention...

instead of excreting water and waste products, you body retains existing water to reuse. This is what causes water retention and bloating. When you don't get enough water, your body panics and holds on to it selfishly, as though you're in a famine. Dehydration thus can make you look bloated and fat instead of thin and taut. The best way to get rid of this water retention is to drink enough of it to return your body and its processes back to a normal equilibrium.

LexyDB

Protein does not promote water retention, no exception.

Just remember the seasoning that goes with most protein: Salt! One of the main causes of water retention. You might just be over seasoning your food?! Up your water intake, or try a diuretic like green tea or something...

As I said, protein does not promote water retention.

Sodium on the other hand does. Eating carbohydrates also promotes water retention.

Someone is worried about water retention and you're advising drinking more water?

Yes, drinking more water stops water retention...

instead of excreting water and waste products, you body retains existing water to reuse. This is what causes water retention and bloating. When you don't get enough water, your body panics and holds on to it selfishly, as though you're in a famine. Dehydration thus can make you look bloated and fat instead of thin and taut. The best way to get rid of this water retention is to drink enough of it to return your body and its processes back to a normal equilibrium.

This process takes how long? Do you have a link to a case study or published research study?

This is like saying you go catabloic after a day if you don't meet your calorie requirements. Taken with a pinch of salt, no pun intended.

Edema is caused by storage of fluid, not lack of them. A prolonged calorie reduced diet that fails to meet the protein and macronutrients can cause water retention. As with everything else, to extreme of too much or too little (hyponatremia) will cause problems to the extreme not because you're too low or too high for a few days.