Too much protein?`

StrawberryThief
StrawberryThief Posts: 115
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all,

To try and stop myself getting hungry I've upped my protein intake (as advised in another thread) and this has worked really well and I'm finding it weirdly easy to stay within my calorie goal while still eating plenty! However, now I'm going a little over my daily protein 'allowance', especially on gym days (I go straight to the gym from work so need a pre-dinner snack as well as a proteiny dinner). Is this something that's going to hinder my weight loss or have other negative effects?

Thanks for your help!

Replies

  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    MFP's protein settings are pretty low - like the minimum that the FDA recommends. Did you change them or is it still at 15%?

    To answer your question, you can have too much protein, but it is very difficult to do. I am certain that you are fine. Your body has a mechanism to convert protein into glucose, so unless you have a kidney disorder of some sort, I wouldn't worry about it.
  • TheVimFuego
    TheVimFuego Posts: 2,412 Member
    MFP's protein settings are pretty low - like the minimum that the FDA recommends. Did you change them or is it still at 15%?

    To answer your question, you can have too much protein, but it is very difficult to do. I am certain that you are fine. Your body has a mechanism to convert protein into glucose, so unless you have a kidney disorder of some sort, I wouldn't worry about it.

    Yup, pretty much my take on it too .... If I am getting hunger issues I can pretty much pinpoint not eating enough protein as the cause.
  • FitBeto
    FitBeto Posts: 2,121 Member
    You may turn into:


    Meat-Monster-danny-phantom-21374796-320-240.jpg

    My advice, dont google image search meat monster (shudders)
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    No, you're fine. Your protein goal is pretty reasonable, so going over won't cause you any problems (assuming no other heath issues).

    Only thing to watch is that it doesn't prevent you from hitting your fat macro. Protein should come at the expense of carbs, not fat, when keeping total cals consistent.
  • dhakiyya
    dhakiyya Posts: 481 Member
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_starvation - this article on rabbit starvation aka protein poisoning says that the human liver can't handle more than 285-365g protein for an 80kg male. Unless you're consuming close to that amount I wouldn't worry about it.

    Bodybuilders usually go for 1g protein per lb bodyweight per day, and they don't get rabbit starvation. It's really difficult to consume enough protein to make yourself ill, you have to eat pretty much nothing but protein, i.e. very little or no carbs or fat. It's more of a danger for someone who goes on a low fat low carb fad diet, than for anyone on a bodybuilder style diet that's high in protein but also includes a decent amount of healthy fat and healthy carbs
  • klbaierwalter
    klbaierwalter Posts: 308 Member
    You will be fine. MFP estimates protein intake on the lower side. If you are someone who works out and lifts weights, you need protein. I have reconfigured my protein intake based on whether I've worked out strenuously (weights) or actively (cardio) or none at all. I normally have a protein shake in the morning for breakfast, then another with lunch (lifting days) and then a third after I'm done with lifting. Today I'm not lifting, but doing Zumba instead, so I'm going to have one shake after I finish working out. But I eat almonds, pb, string cheese, eggs, etc. For lunch today I have a chicken sandwich and some egg salad to keep my protein up and keep me fuller longer, so I don't run home and eat everything not nailed to the floor.

    Bottom line, it is very hard to over-do it on protein, unless like someone has already said, you have kidney issues.
  • traceyNov2012
    traceyNov2012 Posts: 5 Member
    I am having a problem with not enough protein. Just this morning I ate the Jimmy Dean Quesadilla (turkey, sausage). I'm still hungry. So I'm now eating a protien bar and lots of water. Can you give me some tips to your "too much protein" issue. Thanks
  • StrawberryThief
    StrawberryThief Posts: 115
    Super, thanks all!

    Honestly, joining MFP is the best step I ever took; you're all so lovely and helpful.
  • ehalps26
    ehalps26 Posts: 25 Member
    1 pound per lb of bodyweight and youll be fine...
  • StrawberryThief
    StrawberryThief Posts: 115
    Cashew nuts, chicken, eggs, salmon! I'm not sure how to properly post links, but this chart has been great for me - http://teamrich.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/hi-protein-food-list1.jpg
  • traceyNov2012
    traceyNov2012 Posts: 5 Member
    Thanks for the link.

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