what happens if you eat too much protein?

Jessicarctica

I eat eggs and chicken a lot and I keep getting in the red for over doing my "limit" for the day of protein. Everything else is in the green. What happens if you eat too much protein ?

I'm trying to stay away from breads and cheese and chocolate(love these foods) and have been eating a lot of eggs,chicken, fruits,and veggies.

samerzz16

It really depends on how much protein you are taking in per a day as well as if this is a constant high intake everyday. Usually it just depends on individual cases for what an excessive amount of protein can do to your body. Some of the symptoms include dehydration so make sure you are drinking plenty of water. That is usually the most common. if you eat red meat, drink alcohol and/or continue your diet high in protein, that will increase your uric levels and potentially cause gout. There are other future problems that can come up such as increase in Liver and Kidney function tests but unless you have any underlying medical conditions, this is not too much of an issue. Honestly, going a little over your daily recommended value of protein you calculated in your macros should pose no big deal at all. Hope this helps!

hsidky

Asides from some issues pointed out by samerzz16, the source of protein is also important. Egg yolks contain a large amount of cholesterol, and chicken has a non-trivial amount as well. If you have a history of high cholesterol in the family, smoke, are overweight, or don't exercise, I would limit egg yolk intake especially. Same goes for red meat. Going over your limit on MFP for protein intake though, especially if it's not by a lot, should not alarm you. Unless you have a kidney problem (in which case your doctor would have mentioned this to you already), you have nothing to worry about.

mizzie1980

In my experience: nothing. The way I look at it, sodium and fat aren't very good and I should try to stay under those numbers, but still get some. Calories and carbs are neutral and I should keep those about what MFP recommends. Protein and fiber are good and if I'm over on those, great!

heypurdy

I might be going out on a limb here but I think you'll be fine...I'm always in the red for protein and fiber and I think it's a great thing. In fact, it shouldn't be showing as "red" for these too. It should be a positive number, like "+2." My opinion.

skylark94

How much protein are we talking about here? MFP's protein numbers are set pretty low. Not all of those numbers you see are maximums. Many, like protein and fiber, can be considered minimums to shoot for.

I aim for 135 grams per day.

bdamaster60

one common side effect especially amongst us bodybuilders is too much protein causes your farts to smell like an chemical weapon went off every single time. If you're not getting excessive amounts of gas passing through then your protein intake is fine.

Chief_Rocka

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_starvation

Mickeyriv

one common side effect especially amongst us bodybuilders is too much protein causes your farts to smell like an chemical weapon went off every single time. If you're not getting excessive amounts of gas passing through then your protein intake is fine.

AMEN!

CynthiaElise

This happens...

Onesnap

well you explode violently, of course.

Eagles802051

one common side effect especially amongst us bodybuilders is too much protein causes your farts to smell like an chemical weapon went off every single time. If you're not getting excessive amounts of gas passing through then your protein intake is fine.

Hahaha this is all too true

belladonna786

well you explode violently, of course.

Ha!

mrs_schultz2012

I had my numbers figured out last night at a nutrtion place....MFP was waaaay under on what I should be getting for protein a day, based on my height, weight, etc.....the lady told me I should be aiming for somewhere between 120 and 140ish per day

JanaCanada

In my experience: nothing. The way I look at it, sodium and fat aren't very good and I should try to stay under those numbers, but still get some. Calories and carbs are neutral and I should keep those about what MFP recommends. Protein and fiber are good and if I'm over on those, great!

^^THIS!!!

jackpotclown

you turn into this really huge green monster with fits of rage \m/

wackyfunster

Excessive protein can put stress on the kidneys. You would need to eat a LOT of protein for a good period of time though. If you are eating less than 200g/day, you don't have anything to worry about, unless you have a preexisting kidney issue.

714rah714

You get fat

sjohnny

Asides from some issues pointed out by samerzz16, the source of protein is also important. Egg yolks contain a large amount of cholesterol, and chicken has a non-trivial amount as well. If you have a history of high cholesterol in the family, smoke, are overweight, or don't exercise, I would limit egg yolk intake especially. Same goes for red meat. Going over your limit on MFP for protein intake though, especially if it's not by a lot, should not alarm you. Unless you have a kidney problem (in which case your doctor would have mentioned this to you already), you have nothing to worry about.

Dietary cholesterol =/= serum cholesterol. Eat the yolks.

hiker359

Pretty much this:

Dub_D

This

dinerroll

You aren't getting too much protein. Even the risks cited by the second poster are negligible/non-existent for most people. Even if they were palpable, there's no way you're getting too much protein. I would think even eating virtually all of your calories as protein and being at a caloric surplus would still not be "too much" protein in terms of it causing most people health issues. Either way, you don't look like a BBer on a bulking cycle... ergo not too much protein.

Now... if you're eating more than 200g protein, it's way more than you need, but it's not "too much." Also, I'm guessing you're eating something like 90g... that's fine.

dtf88

one common side effect especially amongst us bodybuilders is too much protein causes your farts to smell like an chemical weapon went off every single time. If you're not getting excessive amounts of gas passing through then your protein intake is fine.

hahahaha this guy speaks the truth, also if you aren't getting enough fiber you're going to ship bricks.

cbrrabbit25

I had my numbers figured out last night at a nutrtion place....MFP was waaaay under on what I should be getting for protein a day, based on my height, weight, etc.....the lady told me I should be aiming for somewhere between 120 and 140ish per day

I aim for this amount since i am trying to build muscle. I weigh 104.

karag413

In my experience: nothing. The way I look at it, sodium and fat aren't very good and I should try to stay under those numbers, but still get some. Calories and carbs are neutral and I should keep those about what MFP recommends. Protein and fiber are good and if I'm over on those, great!

This...

cbrrabbit25

Pretty much this:

that didn't come from just too much protein :-)

sjohnny

In my experience: nothing. The way I look at it, sodium and fat aren't very good and I should try to stay under those numbers, but still get some. Calories and carbs are neutral and I should keep those about what MFP recommends. Protein and fiber are good and if I'm over on those, great!

This...

Except for the fat part.

sjohnny

Pretty much this:

that didn't come from just too much protein :-)

True. That was specifically from too much whey protein.

CynthiaElise

This

jmkmomm

I have looked at the American diabetes association site and for q 1500 cal diabetic diet they recommend a lot mare grams of protein than what this site does. So when I am over a little bit I don't sweat it. What I need to do is put some excercise in my program. Right now it is none unless you want to consider Christmas shopping

IronDame

You grow a little dingdong.