Too much protein?

mommybren · February 2013

According to my diary, I am regularly way over on my protein intake. Why is this bad? Why is there a max on protein? If my calories are in range, as well as my fat intake, will I somehow still hang on to my extra weight b/c of protein? I drink protein shakes, but honestly not just after after working out, but all the time as a meal replacement as I will get too busy or too stressed to eat during the day, skip meals and make up for it at dinner when I'm famished! ( plus snack all evening/night.) so for me, the shakes or mixes are my fix, as are eggwhites etc. I love protein. Is that really so bad?

auddii · February 2013

Most people think MFP sets protein levels too low, and you can customize the percentage of your macros. Plus, lots of people consider protein a minimum, not a maximum. If you're interested in changing your macros, there's more info here:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

_Thanatos_ · February 2013

Never too much protein. You can customize your protein intake on MFP. By default they're set pretty low. I set my protein/carb/fat ratio to about 40/30/30 of my calorie intake. But that's just me.

jonnythan · February 2013

According to my diary, I am regularly way over on my protein intake. Why is this bad? Why is there a max on protein? If my calories are in range, as well as my fat intake, will I somehow still hang on to my extra weight b/c of protein? I drink protein shakes, but honestly not just after after working out, but all the time as a meal replacement as I will get too busy or too stressed to eat during the day, skip meals and make up for it at dinner when I'm famished! ( plus snack all evening/night.) so for me, the shakes or mixes are my fix, as are eggwhites etc. I love protein. Is that really so bad?

The default protein intake on MFP is ludicrously low.

You'd need to eat hundreds of grams to get "too much." Shoot for about 1 gram of protein per pound of lean body mass per day. For a woman who's 150 pounds, 30% body fat that means 105 grams per day. That'll probably work out to around 30% of your calories for the day. Adjust your MFP goals accordingly.

For people losing weight, a typical good macro mix is 40/30/30 carbs/protein/fat.

mommybren · February 2013

Thanks Guys. I'm just new at this, so I didn't know about customizing or what to customize, and didn't want to somehow sabotage losing weight, or my health, with "too much" protein. I've had the app, but didn't use it, I am new to the site and have been training-wanting/trying to lose weight-but am just now getting serious about using these tools. Thanks for the help getting started.

jonnythan · February 2013

Thanks Guys. I'm just new at this, so I didn't know about customizing or what to customize, and didn't want to somehow sabotage losing weight, or my health, with "too much" protein. I've had the app, but didn't use it, I am new to the site and have been training-wanting/trying to lose weight-but am just now getting serious about using these tools. Thanks for the help getting started.

Fair enough. However, treat the protein number as a minimum. You want to finish each day close to the calorie goal and get at least as much protein as MFP says.

stonel94 · February 2013

yes, you can have too much protein, especially if you have anything wrong with your kidneys or anything like that. But unless you have that issue, it would take a lot to put your body in danger. MFP sets protein at the lowest recommended (i don't know why), you can change that on here, i have mine set up to 40% carbs and 30% protein 30% fat, so I eat like 120 grams of protein a day and often even go over on that (today it was (well will be after I have my salad and chocolate) 143 grams

ldbuster0 · February 2013

According to my diary, I am regularly way over on my protein intake. Why is this bad? Why is there a max on protein? If my calories are in range, as well as my fat intake, will I somehow still hang on to my extra weight b/c of protein? I drink protein shakes, but honestly not just after after working out, but all the time as a meal replacement as I will get too busy or too stressed to eat during the day, skip meals and make up for it at dinner when I'm famished! ( plus snack all evening/night.) so for me, the shakes or mixes are my fix, as are eggwhites etc. I love protein. Is that really so bad?

What kind of foods are you eating with protein? What kind of protein shake do you drink? I'm trying to increase my protein.

dixiewhiskey · February 2013

Never too much protein. You can customize your protein intake on MFP. By default they're set pretty low. I set my protein/carb/fat ratio to about 40/30/30 of my calorie intake. But that's just me.

Fair enough. However, treat the protein number as a minimum. You want to finish each day close to the calorie goal and get at least as much protein as MFP says.

This

mommybren · March 2013

I usually do the Six Star Pro Whey Protein Elite mix (30-60g depending on 1 or 2 scoops extra 8g w/milk) or ready made EAS AdvantEdge (17g)-both found at Walmart. The Vanilla Advantage I'm addicted to. Chocolate is ok too. I tend to be cheap and spend my money on my loved ones, not myself. So there might be better solutions...but this is quick easy and fairly cheap

I always drink my breakfast b/c I'm on the go, plus I down protein after working out, and my ready made protein box drinks are a great snack...and if I don't have something with me after working out, I'll buy a gym shake...can't think of the brand but like at least 17g...then I love eggs, cheese etc and that tends to keep my protein up there.

BonaFideUK · March 2013

Unless you're eating excessive protein it doesnt matter. Unless your eating way over 2g per lb of mass it really doesnt matter.

Too much protein?

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