Am I the only one that finds it hard to eat enough protein?

Some may have that problem, but it's my sense that most will say that they generally are over what MFP lists. I know I'm way over. Increasing your protein and reducing your carbs, especially your simple carbs, will help you stay fuller longer and help you maintain muscle mass as you cut calories.

What Is Your protein goal?

Zara

1st let me point out that the calorie goal is not a goal to come under. It's your goal to reach that. It already has a calorie deficit built in and since you've started weight lifting you want to be sure to reach and go over it if you want to build muscle. You can (maybe beginners gains at first), build muscle on a calorie dificit...only on a surplus.

Protein. If you don't like meat (land based animals) there are lots of other ways to reach it. There is fish, lentils and dairy, protein bars and powders just to name a few.

Hope this helps

You don't need the 30% they've drilled into our heads all our lives! you really only need 5-10% protein and you can easily get that from the foods you eat now.

Actually that's not true - it depends on what your goals are. I've just started lifting weights and need more protein to help repair and build new muscle.

AND that's not what the op asked.

I get mine in my eating lots of tuna/mackerel/sardines, cottage cheese, pulses and turkey/chicken/beef. I also use whey powder, I normally mix this in with my milk if I have cereal for breakfast. or have it just as a shake after exercising. If you do want to eat around 30% protein after only having 15% it can take a bit of getting use to. Slowing increase it each day and soon it will be second nature.

I love mixing tuna with red onion and cottage cheese - it sounds weird but tastes delicious and is fab for hitting your protein goals

PS I'm a protein loving brit :drinker:

Some days yes, I don't want to eat meat everyday so I go for fish and seafood, which are great for protein and usually low in cals depending on how you prepare it.

You're not the only one! I find it very hard - I do eat meat and fish but not often (usually two meals a week, say). But this week I filled the trolley with meat and fish as that seems to be the only way to hit the protein target. I don't like eating that much meat though and it is expensive. I've tried upping pulses but they add a lot of carb, and I've tried upping dairy but then you get too much fat. Quinoa is want to be good source of protein, so I wil try that. Any other tips anyone?

I find it tough to keep protein high, but i'm getting better at it with more knowledge.

You don't need the 30% they've drilled into our heads all our lives! you really only need 5-10% protein and you can easily get that from the foods you eat now.

Actually that's not true - it depends on what your goals are. I've just started lifting weights and need more protein to help repair and build new muscle.

AND that's not what the op asked.

I get mine in my eating lots of tuna/mackerel/sardines, cottage cheese, pulses and turkey/chicken/beef. I also use whey powder, I normally mix this in with my milk if I have cereal for breakfast. or have it just as a shake after exercising. If you do want to eat around 30% protein after only having 15% it can take a bit of getting use to. Slowing increase it each day and soon it will be second nature.

I love mixing tuna with red onion and cottage cheese - it sounds weird but tastes delicious and is fab for hitting your protein goals

PS I'm a protein loving brit :drinker:

Thanks, those are some good ideas. Where do you get your whey powder from? I might try it.

I get this one from amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Optimum-Nutrition-Standard-Chocolate-Protein/dp/B002DYIZH6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360500421&sr=8-1

Changed link as it seemed to take you to my account! they do various flavours and sizes.

I prefer the vanilla one - its tastes great (imho) and I have it with cereal or on it's one. I also have chocolate mint for a chocolate hit and I tried the strawberry - which I hated. :sad:

If you have any health food places near you you might be able to get a smaller sample to try. as it is I'm mixing half strawberry with vanilla in smoothies to use it up. It can be an expensive mistake when you hate the flavour :grumble:

Thanks guys. I think meat might be the way to go...partner is a vegetarian so that means I don't eat as much as I used to.

My daily protein goal is 112 and my calorie goal is 1490 - I think these are the goals that MFP set me.

I'm amazed that other people don't find it as hard as me!! Maybe I can blame the food we have in the UK (that was a joke btw, don't want to offend any protein-loving Brits!)

I find it hard to get enough protein, and I'm British but not living in Britain. I eat chicken, minced beef, eggs, prawns, tuna, beans and protein powder. I would eat lentils too but my youngest (almost 3) is allergic to them and she would eat them if I let her, so I feel bad eating lentils in front of her and telling her she's not allowed any

I sometime feel like I'm getting too much protein. I try to aim for 1-1.5 grams per lb of lean body weight, so roughly 100-150g a day for me. There are a good number of non-meat protein sources including some grains, legumes, beans, soy products, dairy, and veggies. Don't get me wrong, I like meat and eat a lot of it as my protein sources; I just like to keep a variety of sources so I don't feel like I eat a pound of chicken or tuna a day.