Protein?? How do I eat less of it

Everyday I am either very near or over my protein limit. I need some ideas on how to eat less protein and still steer clear of starches and fats. I never meet my sugar limit or even come close to it ( I generally don't like sweets even sweet condiments like ketchup). What are some ways that I could balance my daily calories more?
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Replies

  • Greenrun99
    Greenrun99 Posts: 2,065 Member
    If your still at default settings of what MFP told you to eat, Don't worry about being over on protein.. you should probably be eating more than what MFP tells you.
  • Jennisin1
    Jennisin1 Posts: 574 Member
    Can you really have too much?
  • now_or_never13
    now_or_never13 Posts: 1,575 Member
    Why do you want to eat less protein? Protein is a very important nutrient for your body.

    The goal here for protein is very very low... go over it everyday.

    Protein is needed to try and preserve muscle you lose while on a deficit.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Can you really have too much?

    not really! mfp sets protein at 15% which is pretty low!

    OP, it doesnt matter if you go over, protein is good!
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    yeah, I target about 1-1.25 g protein/lb of lean body mass. That puts me between 170-210+ g protein per day. The number MFP defaults to is not even enough to maintain muscle in a calorie deficit - it is just enough to prevent malnutrition. Unless you have kidney problems or some other medical issue, I'd suggest upping your protein to .8-1 g protein per lb LBM as a minimum.
  • d2footballJRC
    d2footballJRC Posts: 2,684 Member
    Protein is fine to go over on. As long as you have some fiber to help keep it a flown'. Don't worry about going over on protein. Worry about not getting enough protein.
  • Ge0rgiana
    Ge0rgiana Posts: 1,649 Member
    You don't.
  • stephdeeable
    stephdeeable Posts: 1,407 Member
    I aim to get my protein and my fibre into the red every day.
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    eat all the proteins.
  • EmilyOfTheSun
    EmilyOfTheSun Posts: 1,548 Member
    Don't eat less protein.
    Eat more. Especially if your settings are standard the way MFP sets them up.
  • LeenaRuns
    LeenaRuns Posts: 1,309 Member
    Everyday I am either very near or over my protein limit. I need some ideas on how to eat less protein and still steer clear of starches and fats. I never meet my sugar limit or even come close to it ( I generally don't like sweets even sweet condiments like ketchup). What are some ways that I could balance my daily calories more?

    Low protein, low carb, and low fat? That's called low cal. You can't have all three.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    Can you really have too much?

    You can if you have medical issues. Other than that, it is not likely that she will be eating too much.

    As others have said, the protein setting on MFP is low. I have changed mine, I eat about 30% of my daily calories from protein, that's twice the MFP recommendation of 15%.
    Also, you don't need to avoid fats. Fats are essential as well. Dietary fat does not make you fat. My goals are 40% carbs, 30% protein, 30% fat.
  • sgv0918
    sgv0918 Posts: 851 Member
    protein won't hurt you and as others have said MFP setting is very low. I always try to boost mine. Eat more! It builds muscle and staves off hunger
  • da_bears10089
    da_bears10089 Posts: 1,791 Member
    i have mine set to 168 g per day of protein. I had to ask the question of how to get MORE protein. hello, protein shakes!
  • JacksMom12
    JacksMom12 Posts: 1,044 Member
    Everyday I am either very near or over my protein limit. I need some ideas on how to eat less protein and still steer clear of starches and fats. I never meet my sugar limit or even come close to it ( I generally don't like sweets even sweet condiments like ketchup). What are some ways that I could balance my daily calories more?

    Protein, "starches" (carbs), and fat are the 3 macronutrients. That's it. So, if you want less protein, but not in the form of carbs or fat... All you have left is water.
  • rlv2680
    rlv2680 Posts: 289 Member
    i always try to get at least 100g a day
  • Very good question.. and very good answers! I'm glad to know that MFP set the bar so low. I will definitely try going in the red for protein every day. Thanks all!
  • good to know!
  • stormsusmc
    stormsusmc Posts: 228 Member
    Can you really have too much?

    Yes...You can have too much...Too much can be converted to fat essentially. Though fiber can help digest it, so does taking in other nutrients (IE carbs, calcium, zinc, magnessium, potassium etc). Anyway to much of anything is bad for you.

    Now 15% of your calories from proteins isn't bad...Aim for about .9g/lean body mass. You should be lifting weights not just doing cardio non stop. For me I do 40p/40c/20f split...Sometimes 40p/35c/25f. It depends on your body, but it all really boils down to calories in<calories out if you're going for FAT loss (notice caps, not weight loss).
  • Sweet_Potato
    Sweet_Potato Posts: 1,119 Member
    I need to know what you're doing. Unless I drink a protein shake or eat a big slab of meat every day I can't meat the protein goals on MFP.
  • savlyon
    savlyon Posts: 474 Member
    Can you really have too much?

    not really! mfp sets protein at 15% which is pretty low!

    OP, it doesnt matter if you go over, protein is good!

    YES...but you probably aren't.
    Eating protein (or anything) in excess will cause your body to store it...as fat! Also, too much protein affects your kidneys and can be hard to process.
    If you are doing any lifting you should probably eat around .75-1 gram of protein/lb of body weight. I have my settings to 40 (carbs), 30/30. However I run, so as I up my mileage, my carbs will look more like 45/50 % of my calories.
  • lbesaw
    lbesaw Posts: 267 Member
    I am ALWAYS way up on my proteins and way UNDER on my carbs....always. As long as I keep my total calories and fats in check everything seems to be going great. Is there a reason you NEED to reduce your proteins?
  • green022
    green022 Posts: 115
    Go to this link it may put your mind at ease and give you some ideas

    Looking for a more effective way to drop pounds? Swap out carbs for protein. People who follow high-protein diets may have more success losing weight than those who eat less protein and more carbohydrates, says research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.


    http://news.menshealth.com/more-protein-more-weight-loss/2012/11/30/
  • I recommend researching what levels are right for you and resetting your goals to an appropriate level of protein.
  • TheRealParisLove
    TheRealParisLove Posts: 1,907 Member
    There is no scientific maximum protein amount for people who are healthy. If you are in renal failure, this is a different story.

    I try to eat my weight in pounds in equal grams of protein a day (I weigh 129 lbs, eat 129 grams of protein a day).
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    Your body will not store excess protein as fat. If you are eating over your TDEE, you will store fat. Eating excess protein at a deficit will not store fat.
  • d2footballJRC
    d2footballJRC Posts: 2,684 Member
    Can you really have too much?

    not really! mfp sets protein at 15% which is pretty low!

    OP, it doesnt matter if you go over, protein is good!

    YES...but you probably aren't.
    Eating protein (or anything) in excess will cause your body to store it...as fat! Also, too much protein affects your kidneys and can be hard to process.
    If you are doing any lifting you should probably eat around .75-1 gram of protein/lb of body weight. I have my settings to 40 (carbs), 30/30. However I run, so as I up my mileage, my carbs will look more like 45/50 % of my calories.

    Protein and Carbs have a 4kcal energy property, while lipids have a 9kcal energy property per gram. Protein though breaks down into Amino Acids, in which your liver will then break down into keto acids (can be stored as fat) and urea (a majority of excess, which is then jettisoned out via urine and sweat.) Keto Acids aren't created heavily unless the body is very low on carbs, and if it is, then those are given priority to be burned before stored as fat. (Just like carbs.)
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    That would mean less BACON.:laugh:

    MFP's protein settings are actually kinda low, so even if you go over, it's not going to matter.


    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • SparkleShine
    SparkleShine Posts: 2,001 Member
    Can you really have too much?

    You can if you have medical issues. Other than that, it is not likely that she will be eating too much.

    As others have said, the protein setting on MFP is low. I have changed mine, I eat about 30% of my daily calories from protein, that's twice the MFP recommendation of 15%.
    Also, you don't need to avoid fats. Fats are essential as well. Dietary fat does not make you fat. My goals are 40% carbs, 30% protein, 30% fat.


    ^^^ This!
  • DreamSM85
    DreamSM85 Posts: 38 Member
    I've customized my diet goals to 40%pro, 40%carbs, & 20%fat. This is the best ratio for me to loose weight and put on lean muscle. I hope you find what works for you. Don't be worried about going too far over if your goals are set my MFP. Good luck!