Fiber or protein?

mammiehorn

I have gained a couple pounds in the last week and have been eating under my maintainence calories to try to take them off. I have actually gained a little more. I noticed from my food diary that I have increased my protein and my fiber intake. I thought maybe I was getting too much of one of these but not sure which would be most likely cause. I have been getting around 80-90 grams of protein and some days 50-62 of fiber. I know that's alot but could it be the culprit? Btw, I have already cut back on both but still like to know which if either caused this.

altinker

I could be wrong here, but that is a lot of fiber. Consider whether it has increased your bathroom habits or has caused constipation. Doesn't fiber increase the amount of water in your intestines to help sweep out the debris?

hastinbe

At 5'2", 48 years of age, and 97 lbs maybe you're going too low in your daily caloric intake requirements and your body is preventing you from losing. You said previously you were at 1200 calories a day, but that's about what you need for BMR. If you've dropped even lower I can imagine that might be the culprit. Otherwise, according to ADA your fiber intake is about double the adequate intake. Do you have gas, diarrhea, and bloating?

DanaDark

That's a large amount of fiber. Your body is probably retaining water while it works it out. Fiber is tough for the body to process (not a bad thing).

Give it time.

hendinerik

You have the opposite problem of most people, who don't get ENOUGH fiber...
Sounds like if you tried to up the protein and lower the fiber a bit that might help...
Maybe try to vary your diet for a week do an experiment...

Also is the protein lean? Is the fiber fiber from fruit or from artificial sources?

Just my two cents...

mammiehorn

Wow. Thanks for all the input. I suspected the fiber because when I increased it I went from regular to having trouble which is the opposite of what fiber is supposed to do. I ordered some vitaliscious mini cakes and muffin tops and they are so good and convenient that I guess I went a little crazy,lol. I really didn't mean to increase my fiber. I didn't realize how high it was until I went back and looked at my food diary for the last month. I'm back under control so hopefully I will get back to normal weight and everything else. So do you think the amount of protein is ok? It's mostly from chicken and either flatout flatbreads or aunt millies light whole grain bread.

_AshLynn

Fiber or protein is not the reason for weight gain. No single macronutrient will cause weight. Weight is about calories. If your goal for the day is 1500 calories, and you eat 1500 calories made up of chocolate, twinkies, and mountain dew...you will not be gaining weight if you stay in your projected intake. Weight is more like a science 1lb = 3500 calories. Drop 500 calories in your typical diet, and burn 500 calories per day and that would equal a 2lb weight loss for the week. Of course just an estimate, because water weight is a key factor.

The only factor the type of nutrient will influence is what your body does with the nutrients...not adding weight.

Also, weight isn't exactly the focus...size is! 5lbs of fat and 5lbs of fat take up different spaces. If you weigh 150lbs then start exercising...you could potentially remain the same weight, but drop 2 sizes in pants.

kramalicious

That amount of protein isn't too much but that fiber is really high. doctor told me 30 g a day. I don't know how much is too much though. I think it depends on how you feel. Also do you feel you're at a healthy weight for you? How's your muscle tone?

cwolfman13

Wow. Thanks for all the input. I suspected the fiber because when I increased it I went from regular to having trouble which is the opposite of what fiber is supposed to do. I ordered some vitaliscious mini cakes and muffin tops and they are so good and convenient that I guess I went a little crazy,lol. I really didn't mean to increase my fiber. I didn't realize how high it was until I went back and looked at my food diary for the last month. I'm back under control so hopefully I will get back to normal weight and everything else. So do you think the amount of protein is ok? It's mostly from chicken and either flatout flatbreads or aunt millies light whole grain bread.

Too much fiber has the opposite effect of keeping you regular. 30 grams is good....30-40 you're ok...over 40 and generally, people start having issues with being extra gassy, diarrhea, etc...you get into the 45+ range and most people start getting constipated. That said, neither would contribute to weight gain alone...there's something going on with your caloric intake that is causing you to gain...could be too few calories (metabolic stall) or too many.