Not getting full with protein?

mmargarette
mmargarette Posts: 89 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So from what I've known, eating more protein helps make and keep you full than eating more of other macronutrients. But from what I've observed, it doesn't really make me full. Of course I eat some carbs and drink water too within the meal. Or is it just me not really noticing that protein does help me?

And is having too much protein a bad thing? Or there's no such thing?

Replies

  • mamma_nee
    mamma_nee Posts: 809 Member
    If upping protein- u need to also up the good fats and lower your carb intake then you stay full longer .
  • albayin
    albayin Posts: 2,524 Member
    protein is bit overrated...I think there's difference between feeling "full" and "satisfied"...
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    There's only one partial entry in your diary over the past week, so hard to offer advice. Are you hitting your protein and other macro goals (carbs and fats)? Your protein goal is pretty low - MFP is notoriously low on that anyway, so going well over wouldn't hurt. But as mamma_nee said, you need those healthy fats in there as well, which are satiating and will keep you full longer. Nuts, nut butters, avocados, fish, olive & coconut oils - all good things to add to your diet.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    So from what I've known, eating more protein helps make and keep you full than eating more of other macronutrients. But from what I've observed, it doesn't really make me full. Of course I eat some carbs and drink water too within the meal. Or is it just me not really noticing that protein does help me?

    And is having too much protein a bad thing? Or there's no such thing?

    How much is 'more'?
  • kellyscomeback
    kellyscomeback Posts: 1,369 Member
    The key for me, to feeling full is to not think about food. If I'm around it, I will think about it, become hungry and eat. If I'm out, active and away from food I can go hours without feeling hungry.

    Drinking lots of water helps too.

    Putting myself on an eating schedule when I started was key too. I would eat every 3 hours on the 3 hour mark.
  • mel3491
    mel3491 Posts: 31
    I think if you've just recently decreased your carbs and increased your protein it will take a full 3 days or so to notice a difference. We have been programmed to have 'bread' with meals and it feels like somethings missing when you first cut it out. I notice an egg scrambled with cheese, veges and a couple slices of turkey bacon for breakfast keeps me way more satisfied than cereal or oatmeal. But it did take adjusting. Good luck!
  • Dimpleschick55
    Dimpleschick55 Posts: 13 Member
    Fiber is the key to feeling full. Protein is necessary but eat an apple and the peel, eat the baked potato and the peel. Eat a high fiber cereal (start slowly or you will get too much gas). Drink water when you get up in the morning and before your meals.
  • Nicolee_2014
    Nicolee_2014 Posts: 1,572 Member
    The key for me, to feeling full is to not think about food. If I'm around it, I will think about it, become hungry and eat. If I'm out, active and away from food I can go hours without feeling hungry.

    Drinking lots of water helps too.

    Putting myself on an eating schedule when I started was key too. I would eat every 3 hours on the 3 hour mark.

    THIS. I just got slack & haven't done it in a while.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    Your calorie goal is very low, maybe that's the problem. Start here:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants


    That said, protein isn't as sating to me as fat/carbs. I still try to hit my protein goal first, but not everyone finds protein to be the most filling macro. The best thing for me is to get a mixture of all three in each meal. You may need to try different foods and combinations to find out what works best to keep you full.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    I think there's difference between feeling "full" and "satisfied"...

    Agreed. I don't get the whole "full" thing personally. I do get satisfied, meaning not feeling hungry.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    How do you know how much protein you are actually eating? I don't really see anything logged in your diary but one day....which came in at 468 calories.

    ETA: Sorry, didn't go back far enough.

    Your protein is set at 43g. That's not a lot of protein. MFP's #s are set at the bare minimum percentages for protein. Not only that, even when you do go way over your 1200 calories, you aren't even getting over 100g.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets
  • Phrick
    Phrick Posts: 2,765 Member
    Fiber is the key to feeling full. Protein is necessary but eat an apple and the peel, eat the baked potato and the peel. Eat a high fiber cereal (start slowly or you will get too much gas). Drink water when you get up in the morning and before your meals.

    This. I too got a lot of advice stressing protein as the key but after asking much the same question your'e asking now, I got an idea about the importance of fiber. If I have a yogurt for breakfast with 12g protein but 0g fiber, I will feel hungrier, sooner, than if I have the same yogurt but also have some WW toast or a multigrain sandwich thin or something. As little as 2-3 grams of fiber added to an otherwise high protein meal is the ticket for me. It may be for you, too. I find I have a hard time getting adequate fiber without supplementing so I choose to put Benefiber (because it doesn't get thick like metamucil does - and actually I use a generic) 2teaspoons in my morning coffee. It works for me.
  • ILoveGingerNut
    ILoveGingerNut Posts: 367 Member
    So from what I've known, eating more protein helps make and keep you full than eating more of other macronutrients. But from what I've observed, it doesn't really make me full. Of course I eat some carbs and drink water too within the meal. Or is it just me not really noticing that protein does help me?

    And is having too much protein a bad thing? Or there's no such thing?


    You should have around 1g protein per kg of your body weight, or 15-20% of your daily calories.
    Over 35% of total calories, especially with carbohydrate restriction, can lead to the buildup of toxic ketones and harm the kidneys. This is accompanied by dehydration. Symptoms include fatigue, headache, dizziness, heart palpitations, bad breath and constipation. There is excess stress on the heart, and bone calcium decline.

Categories