Protein

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So. Question; about the only thing I routinely go over on my values is protein. I'm a meat eater, frankly, and it's hard for me to make a meal without a meat or dairy product in it somewhere, so I'm usually about 20-40 grams or so over on protein. I also do weight lifting 4-5 times a week.

How much do I need to be worried about my protein overage? I mean, I'm losing weight, but I'm becoming aware that as I've gone from Jabba-sized to just fat that I have less wiggle room in my diet.

Replies

  • conradhughes
    conradhughes Posts: 10 Member
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    Don't worry about it at all. Protein won't turn to fat... the only way for this to really happen is if protein is being used for glucose synthesis (58% of protein IIRC can go to glucose) and then via de novo lipogenesis which tbh won't happen unless you're eating 3-400 grams of carbohydrates a day. Eat as much lean meat as you like!
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
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    As long as you're staying in a calorie deficit and eating enough dietary fat for physiological necessities, and enough carbs to train hard, I wouldn't worry about over-eating protein.

    That being said, excess calories will make you fat over time, even if you're consuming mostly protein.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,344 Member
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    As long as you're staying in a calorie deficit and eating enough dietary fat for physiological necessities, and enough carbs to train hard, I wouldn't worry about over-eating protein.

    That being said, excess calories will make you fat over time, even if you're consuming mostly protein.
    ^ This. Also, if you're using MFP's default settings, many people (myself included) believe that the protein recommendation is set too low. Recommendations generally vary from 1g/lb of lean body mass to >1g/lb. of body weight - in either case, far above MFP's defaults.
  • Smokey19
    Smokey19 Posts: 796 Member
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    I am on a diet that requires me to eat 75-100 gms. of protein every day. Since you work out you need it to repair your muscles.
  • cyclingben
    cyclingben Posts: 346 Member
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    200 on average but i weight 280 and im trying to gain lean muscle mass while loosing the last 20-30 lbs of fat.
  • CarmenLynn75
    CarmenLynn75 Posts: 118 Member
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    Thanks for asking this! I am the same with my protein. I love my meat. I crave it terribly if I don't have any. I'll have a steak for breaky if I cut meat the day before for one reason or another. Vitamins help the craving, but not for this much..