Newbie with a question about protein

jhs5447
jhs5447 Posts: 5
in Health and Weight Loss
After doing my food intake for the day, I was 25 calories short from 1200, but my protein showed up as -23 in the red. Am I eating too much protein? How do I correct this? Thanks for any help!

Replies

  • megsmom2
    megsmom2 Posts: 2,362 Member
    Don't worry about going over on protein...the levels MFP sets tend to be on the low side. Lots of protein is great for you...enjoy it!
  • nannukka
    nannukka Posts: 52
    I agree with above poster. Protein is good. Only worry about IF you consistently stay under. Are you starving with 1200 calories? That is low.
  • changeyourlimits
    changeyourlimits Posts: 43
    I also agree. Unless you are hitting the gym with the heavy weights you won't have any issues with the protein having an impact. The only thing you will want to watch is the fats that can come with the protein. if you fats are where they need to be then you are fine.
  • jhs5447
    jhs5447 Posts: 5
    Thanks all for the replies! How do I know if the fats are where they are suppose to be?
  • JulesAlloggio
    JulesAlloggio Posts: 480 Member
    After doing my food intake for the day, I was 25 calories short from 1200, but my protein showed up as -23 in the red. Am I eating too much protein? How do I correct this? Thanks for any help!

    This is why my numbers are all in red. I don't go by MFP standards and I think 1200 calories is not enough...unless you need to create a huge calorie deficit. Try to eat at least 30% protein. It should come out to be 1g per pound.
  • cmeiron
    cmeiron Posts: 1,599 Member
    Thanks all for the replies! How do I know if the fats are where they are suppose to be?

    Aim for 1g of protein per lb of lean body mass (you can use online calculators to figure out this number) and 0.35g of fat per lb of total body mass. But really, going over on fat isn't an issue unless you're also going over your caloric goals. Dietary fat does not equal body fat.
  • jhs5447
    jhs5447 Posts: 5
    Yes sometimes I do feel hungry by the end of the day...you may be right, 1200 is low. I may increase a little bit! Thanks for the tip!
  • jhs5447
    jhs5447 Posts: 5
    Okay thanks so much!
  • jhs5447
    jhs5447 Posts: 5
    Any suggestions for the online calculator or maybe it's here on MFP? Sorry to keep asking questions but being a newbie just need some guiding! You all are such a huge help! I really appreciate it!!
  • cmeiron
    cmeiron Posts: 1,599 Member
    Any suggestions for the online calculator or maybe it's here on MFP? Sorry to keep asking questions but being a newbie just need some guiding! You all are such a huge help! I really appreciate it!!

    Try this one:

    http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/mbf/

    It will tell you your bf% and the corresponding amount of lbm :)
  • cmeiron
    cmeiron Posts: 1,599 Member
    Yes sometimes I do feel hungry by the end of the day...you may be right, 1200 is low. I may increase a little bit! Thanks for the tip!

    If you want more detailed information about setting your calorie and macro goals, this is a great read:

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

    HTH! :smile:
  • TimeForMe99
    TimeForMe99 Posts: 309
    Thanks all for the replies! How do I know if the fats are where they are suppose to be?

    Aim for 1g of protein per lb of lean body mass (you can use online calculators to figure out this number) and 0.35g of fat per lb of total body mass. But really, going over on fat isn't an issue unless you're also going over your caloric goals. Dietary fat does not equal body fat.

    One of the challenges here is that we have people at all ages, sizes, and fitness levels. The recommendation for fat consumption, above, may apply to a young male but not to most of us. The correct amount for general health is .3-.6g per pound of target weight, or 25-35%.

    For more detail this is an excellent article on general nutrition: http://body-improvements.com/resources/eat/

    If you have any health concerns please see your doctor before proceeding. S/he will likely be able to provide you with guidance.
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    Thanks all for the replies! How do I know if the fats are where they are suppose to be?

    Aim for 1g of protein per lb of lean body mass (you can use online calculators to figure out this number) and 0.35g of fat per lb of total body mass. But really, going over on fat isn't an issue unless you're also going over your caloric goals. Dietary fat does not equal body fat.

    One of the challenges here is that we have people at all ages, sizes, and fitness levels. The recommendation for fat consumption, above, may apply to a young male but not to most of us. The correct amount for general health is .3-.6g per pound of target weight, or 25-35%.

    For more detail this is an excellent article on general nutrition: http://body-improvements.com/resources/eat/

    If you have any health concerns please see your doctor before proceeding. S/he will likely be able to provide you with guidance.

    ^ The above link is a great one however the recommendation of .35g/lb is still going to fit a wide group of people and not just young males.

    For example a 250lb female eating .35g/lb would be consuming 90g fat. If her goal weight is 160, the recommendation you listed would put that at about .56g/lb goal weight. Neither method is perfect as they are simply starting points and there are plenty of contexts where I'd go as low as .2 or .25g/lb
  • Crankstr
    Crankstr Posts: 3,958 Member
    Yes sometimes I do feel hungry by the end of the day...you may be right, 1200 is low. I may increase a little bit! Thanks for the tip!

    If you want more detailed information about setting your calorie and macro goals, this is a great read:

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

    HTH! :smile:

    ^this.
    :flowerforyou:
  • craigmandu
    craigmandu Posts: 976 Member
    Yes sometimes I do feel hungry by the end of the day...you may be right, 1200 is low. I may increase a little bit! Thanks for the tip!

    If you want more detailed information about setting your calorie and macro goals, this is a great read:

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

    HTH! :smile:

    ^this.
    :flowerforyou:

    I'll second that link..

    The amount of protein you should personally shoot for really depends on your goals and whether or not you are looking to preserve muscle mass as you lose weight. I recommend about 0.8-1.0g per lb of lean body mass if you exercise or weight train.
  • nannukka
    nannukka Posts: 52
    And if you want to increase your calories and try the TDEE system, this is a easy link for instructions for that (there is an link to an advance version too)

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/975707-fat-loss-tactics-guide

Categories