Protein

AmyJade_mfp
AmyJade_mfp Posts: 55 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Is having too much protein good or bad for you?

Replies

  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    Yes, hence the term "too much."
  • gddrdld
    gddrdld Posts: 464 Member
    Define "too much"... By the pure nature of meaning of the term "too much" wouldn't that mean it's, well...too much?
  • AmyJade_mfp
    AmyJade_mfp Posts: 55 Member
    Well I've had 61 and was meant to have 45 which is -16 difference?
    Why is it bad for you? I'm trying to get to grips with all of this balance with carbs, fats, iron, protein etc
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    Well I've had 61 and was meant to have 45 which is -16 difference?
    Why is it bad for you? I'm trying to get to grips with all of this balance with carbs, fats, iron, protein etc

    Stay within your calorie target. You won't get anywhere near "too much" unless you have a kidney condition.
  • southerndixiepride
    southerndixiepride Posts: 67
    Too much can mess with your kidneys.
  • lasmit4477
    lasmit4477 Posts: 308 Member
    For info about your macros (proteins/fats/carbs) -take a look at this link. It will give you the formula to figure out your numbers according to your goals and personal preference and how to change them in MFP:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets
  • skinnyinnotime
    skinnyinnotime Posts: 4,078 Member
    Well I've had 61 and was meant to have 45 which is -16 difference?
    Why is it bad for you? I'm trying to get to grips with all of this balance with carbs, fats, iron, protein etc

    Is it what mfp has given you? It's usually very low and it's fine to go over.
  • avakathryn
    avakathryn Posts: 22
    My "target" in MFP is 55g/day and I usually eat between 120 and 150g per day. I weigh 153 pounds, so I aim for 0.75g - 1g per pound of bodyweight. This is definitely not "too much" protein. Protein help keeps you full! My macros end up being 40/40/20 (carbs/protein/fat) and it's really working for me. :-)
  • dave4d
    dave4d Posts: 1,155 Member
    Too much, by MFP standards is too little. Too much protein for it to be bad for you means enough protein that you exceed your daily allowance for calories.

    It is fine to go over MFP's goals for protein. They set them for your average sedentary person. Most people shoot for 1 to 2 grams per kilogram of lean body weight. Some bodybuilders set theirs for 1 to 2 grams per lb of lean body weight.
  • AmyJade_mfp
    AmyJade_mfp Posts: 55 Member
    My "target" in MFP is 55g/day and I usually eat between 120 and 150g per day. I weigh 153 pounds, so I aim for 0.75g - 1g per pound of bodyweight. This is definitely not "too much" protein. Protein help keeps you full! My macros end up being 40/40/20 (carbs/protein/fat) and it's really working for me. :-)

    Thanks for this! I'm around the same weight also and it's nice seeing what others do!

    Thanks to everyone else also :)
  • DorkothyParker
    DorkothyParker Posts: 618 Member
    I prefer higher protein. In any case, you are not having "too much" by any stretch.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    The default protein setting for mfp is considered too low by many people. It won't harm you to go over. If it's set for 45 then 100 is probably a more realistic number. Aim for .85 grams per pound of body weight
  • joel3736
    joel3736 Posts: 55 Member
    I have read up on this over the years and basically as I understand it, any excess protein that your body cannot digest, the protein will be stripped of its nitrogen and the amino acids will be flushed back through the blood where it will go to your kidneys and excreted from your body in the form of urea. So basically it isn't necessarily "bad" for you per say but it can become a waste of money if done on a constant basis. But most people don't consume anywhere near too much protein for this to take place. But on the flipside, exceeding your BMR caloric intake, unless your goal is muscle gain and you are lifting to accommodate such goals, can lead to unwanted weight gain of course.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    But on the flipside, exceeding your BMR caloric intake, unless your goal is muscle gain and you are lifting to accommodate such goals, can lead to unwanted weight gain of course.
    I think you mean "exceeding your TDEE", not BMR. Big (and important) difference.
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,207 Member
    But on the flipside, exceeding your BMR caloric intake, unless your goal is muscle gain and you are lifting to accommodate such goals, can lead to unwanted weight gain of course.
    I think you mean "exceeding your TDEE", not BMR. Big (and important) difference.
    I have a feeling he meant that, considering the contents of the post in general, just a guess though.
  • LoseYouself
    LoseYouself Posts: 249 Member
    It's fine to go over, but I'd avoid going over by large amounts habitually. Most people in North America get more than they need anyways. Protein is good (and necessary), but excess protein is hard on your kidneys. :)

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