Maximum protein per sitting

Yogi_Carl
Yogi_Carl Posts: 1,906 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I picked up that the maximum protein you should take in per meal or per shake is around 20g or the rest is not used. Is that based on fact somewhere?

My other observation is - you don't want to be around me when I have eaten or drank more than 20g of protein either (sulphurous wind) - even I don't wanna be around me! Embarrassing in the middle of a Yoga class I can tell you!

Replies

  • Unknown
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  • Phrick
    Phrick Posts: 2,765 Member
    I picked up that the maximum protein you should take in per meal or per shake is around 20g or the rest is not used. Is that based on fact somewhere?

    Nope. It's a myth. Scientists don't know exactly how much protein we are able to process at a given time, but it is generally believed that our bodies will use it when its needed. The claims that we can only process X amount amount per hour and so forth are complete nonsense.

    Thank you! I tried to ask this question a while ago but worded it poorly and got a bunch of replies that didn't answer my actual question at all :laugh:. This helps ease my mind a lot.
  • scottaworley
    scottaworley Posts: 871 Member
    http://spotmebro.com/layne-norton-phd-on-protein-how-much-and-how-often/

    ETA: in case you don't want to read, 30 - 40 grams per meal is probably the max that you will use for anabolism. The rest of the protein can and will be used for other necessary functions and to support tissues other than muscle.
  • Warchortle
    Warchortle Posts: 2,197 Member
    It depends there is a maximum efficiency per hour, but the body will synthesize the extra protein above 40-50g per hour eventually.
  • peachfigs
    peachfigs Posts: 831 Member
    Personally I would only aim for 20g of protein per meal anyway. Despite what a lot of folks seem to think on here, too much of any macronutrient is bad for you. Too much protein can play havoc with your liver.
  • hannakengu
    hannakengu Posts: 79 Member
    I don't have any science info, but this sure sounds odd. I checked, and last week I ate two tortillas for dinner, and the meal had 46 grams of protein. I had two tortilla breads/wraps/whatever they are with ground beef, grated cheese, sour cream, tomato, cucumber and lettuce. Nothing in this meal screams protein-loading to me, so I find it odd that a regular meal (my dinner normally has at least 30 grams of protein, without trying to specifically add it, and I don't use protein powders etc.) would have too much protein for my body to handle efficiently.
  • iceqieen
    iceqieen Posts: 862 Member
    Too much protein can play havoc with your liver.

    IF you dont drink enough liquid and/or have a condition already that makes the liver weak. Besides, if you are eating only 3 meals a day 20g of protein per meal will not get you to the minimum when trying to maintain/build muscle mass.

    Not saying go eat 400g of protein but eat as you feel comportable with.

    If the protein you eat gives you gas, try a different kind of protein?
  • scottaworley
    scottaworley Posts: 871 Member
    Personally I would only aim for 20g of protein per meal anyway. Despite what a lot of folks seem to think on here, too much of any macronutrient is bad for you. Too much protein can play havoc with your liver.
    http://spotmebro.com/layne-norton-phd-on-protein-how-much-and-how-often/
    No it can't.
  • Unknown
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  • sourpower434
    sourpower434 Posts: 47 Member
    Personally I would only aim for 20g of protein per meal anyway. Despite what a lot of folks seem to think on here, too much of any macronutrient is bad for you. Too much protein can play havoc with your liver.
    http://spotmebro.com/layne-norton-phd-on-protein-how-much-and-how-often/
    No it can't.

    ^^Thank you!
  • Possible_Infinity
    Possible_Infinity Posts: 83 Member
    25-70...

    Your body is going to use it any way even if your over. From what I've read depending what your doing your body can really take in more especially after a work out. Also remember the "Golden Hour" rule for post work out eating


    I cycle a lot and I try to go to Gym and lift 3 times a week. I only double up when my work outs go long or are intense.

    If I do 2 hours in the gym or one of my longer training rides I'll do 50-60 post work out shake.
  • degan2011
    degan2011 Posts: 316 Member
    Your body will use the protein to the extent that you are breaking down muscle and causing it to rebuild with some type of resistance training, etc. If your body is not building muscle it will use just enough to maintiain and turn the rest into energy (ATP) or energy stores (fat). It will also use proteins for various other functions such as hormone creation, cell building (other than muscle cells), etc. without proteins our bodies cannot function. When proteins are being broken down for energy stores they release alot of ammonia which is bad for our bodies. If your ammonia builds up in the blood faster than your kidney's can turn it in to urine then you can have serious issues. This can cause renal failure (not Liver damage).

    If you are regularly physically active, this shouldn't be a problem. I ingest 40g protein for snacks over the course of an hour or so as a protein shake in the mid morning and mid afternoon. This is on top of my regular meal protein (which is usually about 15-35g)

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