over protein allowance

2013queen

I noticed on Monday I went way over my protein allowance as I had steak for dinner, we always have steak on Mondays so this is something I'll learn to live with.
Just entered spaghetti bolognese for tonight's meal and its put me over again, tho still well under calories.
My question is, does that matter? Are there negative effects to too much protein or is it just telling me I've had what's recommended?

johloz

Protein is not a minimum, it is a maximum. You should probably always be over your protein goals set by mfp. Consider the carbs and fat setting to be the highest levels you should eat, and the protein setting to be the least amount of protein you should eat in a day.

astrampe

Nope, not al all...MFP 's settings for protein is way too low anyways...If you don't have kidney issues, go for it...I've manually set my protein to 40% - comes to 170g per day....No issues...

operator646

I am not sure, but my dietician encourages not exceeding 90 grams.

n0ob

I am not sure, but my dietician encourages not exceeding 90 grams.

Your dietician would HATE me...

da_bears10089

MFP gives me 60 g of protein a day to start with and that always goes up depending on what i do for exercise that day. I've found a different website that tells me that i should be taking in .88 g of protein for every pound i weigh and that's for me losing weight. I try to shoot for more protein because it helps build lean muscle which ultimately burns more fat.

cnelson1974

Mine is often over as well. My nutritionist said I was fine when I showed him my food diary.

dsmpunk

-39 102 17 -161 -44 16
Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sugar Fiber

That was yesterday for me.

161 g over and proud of it. Don't sweat it

_SusieQ_

Protein

Protein should make up 10 to 35 percent of your diet, equaling between 50 and 175 g per day. Again, with increased exercise, you place greater demand on your body's metabolism and need to consume more protein. Protein is helpful for restoring damaged cellular tissue. You need about .8 g of protein per 1 kg of body weight. If you exercise more than an hour a day or lift weights heavily, you need up to 1.5 g per 1 kg body weight.

I personally aim for 150 gm per day, hoping to retain and/or build muscle mass while losing fat.

*ETA - source is livestrong article

Chief_Rocka

MFP is too low. I would shoot for double that number, at least.

2013queen

Oh cool. On here it says 79 for me. I shan't worry then and keep on with what I'm doing. thanks!

auroranflash

I too have learned to live with steak. It's been a process. Some days are better than others... but through dedication and group therapy, things are looking up. I wish you the best through this process. FR me if you need support. Or A-1 sauce.

2013queen

I know. Its a ***** every week but somehow I push on through. First world problems I think my daughter calls that.

TR0berts

Protein is not a minimum, it is a maximum. You should probably always be over your protein goals set by mfp. Consider the carbs and fat setting to be the highest levels you should eat, and the protein setting to be the least amount of protein you should eat in a day.

Scratch that - reverse it. :flowerforyou:

2013queen

I too have learned to live with steak. It's been a process. Some days are better than others... but through dedication and group therapy, things are looking up. I wish you the best through this process. FR me if you need support. Or A-1 sauce.

I'm OK for sauce. M&S do the most incredible pepper one.

2013queen

Protein is not a minimum, it is a maximum. You should probably always be over your protein goals set by mfp. Consider the carbs and fat setting to be the highest levels you should eat, and the protein setting to be the least amount of protein you should eat in a day.

Scratch that - reverse it. :flowerforyou:

I did wonder!

Mighty_Rabite

I look at it as a dietary failure if I see green in the protein field, lol. I think my preset is at 170g to consume daily and it's a lot to get to, but nowhere remotely close to impossible.

krisbeck1982

how do you manually change your protein to 40%? i'm looking at diatary settings but i still can't figure out how...?

tnloser1970

The truth is you are going to get different answers from different people. I am not sure there is really a right or wrong. The Center for Disease Control says you should get 10 to 35 percent of your daily calories from protein. My doctor told me eat 30% protein/30% healthy fats/40% carbs. That is also recommended by Dan here on MFP. I am including a link to his thread that breaks it down and help you calculate how much your body needs. I hope it helps.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

martinbeks

I have a hard time getting it all in without going over carbs/fat. Hard boiled eggs are slowly becoming a daily thing, but what are other low fat/carb snacks?

cwolfman13

MFP's macro defaults are total crap IMHO. It's very carb heavy and low protein/low fat. You can manually change your macros. Protein consumption should be roughly .8 - 1G for every Lb of lean body mass. Getting enough protein is always important and even more so when you are eating at a deficit as it will help you retain lean body mass while you're burning the fat. It is also necessary for muscle growth. Try shooting for 40/30/30 or 50/25/25 (carbs/protein/healthy fat). Like UCB said...when I see green on my protein, I've failed that day...

One caveat here is if you have kidney issues. If you have kidney issues you need to watch your protein intake.

cwolfman13

how do you manually change your protein to 40%? i'm looking at diatary settings but i still can't figure out how...?

My Home > Goals > Change goals > Custom. You can change your macros and just about everything else as well.

kw0205

I agree with most of the others - protein keeps you full longer, so you'll eat less. I typically go over my protein allotment and I'm not sweating it. I'm losing weight. I've read a lot lately about diets and really believe that a higher protein and lower carb diet is the way to go.