Eat HIGH protein to lose weight & higher than MFP is OKAY!

Doberdawn
Doberdawn Posts: 733 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Okay, I keep seeing this topic come up by individuals who worry whether they are eating too much protein.... especially if they are going over the amount set by MFP. So, I decided to post a general topic on the amount of protein and how eating more may actually IMPROVE your results. Many of us do higher protein and there are studies to support that it helps to promote losing weight. The caution is if you have any issues with your kidneys (which have to process the protein), then you may want to have a doctor involved. If not, no worries. I am NOT a doctor though, so go check with yours if you have any doubts. *shrugs*

Another thing you should know is that you can CUSTOMIZE your food settings in MFP. Mine is set to a much higher fiber level (30g) as that is better for me both per research and personal experience (anyone who wants data to support my personal choice will get messaged with a picture from my toilet! Ha! :laugh: ) Mine is also set to lower on sodium (2000mg) based on research, personal experience and doctor's recommendation.

But, as for the protein, which is the point of this post... believe it or not, the studies recommend 120g daily for weight loss BUT they also say to increase your protein intake to that level GRADUALLY over a week (so you don't shock/overdose your system, i guess) and they indicate that it is safe to have your protein percentage be as high as 35% of your daily caloric intake.

If you want to read more, here's a link and have at it. http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/high-protein-diet-weight-loss

If you have any other links or data to share on this topic, please feel free to do so as I am always interested in learning more. Anecdotal experience is also welcomed here :drinker: and anyone who attacks folks posting in this thread will be fed to the sharks. :grumble:

Replies

  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
    Keep it simple.

    If you have kidney problems carefully monitor your protein intake.

    If your kidneys are healthy then don't worry about getting too much protein.
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    Studies recommend a static intake of 120g of protein for weightloss, with no regards to weight/lbm?
  • T34418l3angel
    T34418l3angel Posts: 474 Member
    Studies recommend a static intake of 120g of protein for weightloss, with no regards to weight/lbm?

    I was also wondering the same thing, so a 400lb man and a 120lb woman are both recommended to have 120g!? Nope lol.
    And I have poor kidneys and my doctor is fine with my goal of 150g protein a day. maybe to rephrase what you said into better terms you should state percentages. In my opinion (and it's only an opinion) people should be getting between 20-40% of their daily calories from protein.
  • Lina4Lina
    Lina4Lina Posts: 712 Member
    Well you can eat lower protein and lose weight. I never reach 100g protein/day (well today I might but its an odd day). I see my percentages as guidelines and my goal is to get 20% of my calories from protein. If I go over, no big deal. If I don't, no big deal.
  • Doberdawn
    Doberdawn Posts: 733 Member
    Studies recommend a static intake of 120g of protein for weightloss, with no regards to weight/lbm?

    I was also wondering the same thing, so a 400lb man and a 120lb woman are both recommended to have 120g!? Nope lol.
    And I have poor kidneys and my doctor is fine with my goal of 150g protein a day. maybe to rephrase what you said into better terms you should state percentages. In my opinion (and it's only an opinion) people should be getting between 20-40% of their daily calories from protein.

    All the details and percentages are in the article. That's why I posted the link. The 120g is not my recommendation, but that is what the studies said. Here, quite literally, is the quote:

    "To get the potential weight loss benefit, experts advise aiming for around 120 grams of protein a day. If you want to increase your protein intake, do it slowly over the course of a week."

    So, not my words. I agree, use your logic and go for what is in percentage to your body which is why I posted the other statistic of "as high as 35% of your daily caloric intake". See original post.
  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
    If I go over, no big deal.
    Agreed. The rub with this site (and others) is that the protein percentages are set low by default. New users see the red numbers and panic. Stand by for another "Too much protein?" thread tomorrow and the next day, etc.
  • Doberdawn
    Doberdawn Posts: 733 Member
    Stand by for another "Too much protein?" thread tomorrow and the next day, etc.

    LOL
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