Keep going over my protein limit

Lornarm · November 2010

I feel like it does not take much for me to reach my protein limit and then I go over for the day. I am new to this, any suggestions would be great. I feel like it is better to eat too much protein than fat or carbs but I guess I need some good protein suggestions. I do eat a fair amount of chicken.

platoon · November 2010

I think MFP's protein limit is set low; you can always change it...

I always aim to go over my protein... I don't see anything wrong with it...

Good luck with your journey! :-)

arsenal45 · November 2010

You can't get too much protein. It's the body's building block for muscle. If you take in more than your body can handle (which is a whole lot), it will just leave the body. Don't worry about it.

danmullen · November 2010

I don't think it's a problem at all, I usually go over my daily goal. However, one of the fitness instructors at my gym told me that the body can only process around 30g of protein at a time, so I'd recommend not going too much over that for any one meal.

sjcply · November 2010

Protein is good for you, especially if you work out! You can go in and manually change your % intake for carbs/protein/fat. I was going over like crazy then I adjusted mine.
you can change it to what ever works for you!

Go to goals, then click change goals, then check custom (manually change goals) then you can play around with the percentages to what works for you!
I personally do 40-30-30!

flowerpower263 · November 2010

protein builds muscle so it is actually ok to go over your protein. i do every day since i found egg beater eggs! i was never a breakfast eater,but since i've been on mfp i have had to be creative with my food and started eating them. so right after breakfast i am already over my protein! as you exercise and work out your body needs the protein to build muscle to hopefully replace the fat. my husband was a body builder many years ago and this is what they "drank" to build muscle. hope this was helpful :?)

utamore · November 2010

The limit is not a limit--it's your recommended daily intake to sustain your body's current muscle mass. If you want to build muscle, you need a lot more. Medical types would probably recommend 2x your recommended intake (for a 160 lb person, between 90-135 grams/day), bodybuilders recommend 1 gram per 1 lb of bodyweight or more (I've even heard 2x body weight, which is crazy). Arsenal45 is partially off in that you can eat too much protein--if you eat a ton of protein but aren't working out, your body will convert the excess to fat. If you're still eating around your daily goal of -500/day or whatever, then it doesn't matter because your body is going to consume all of that protein anyway.

Lornarm · November 2010

Thanks everyone! I feel better about it now

Kayte625 · November 2010

I always go over my protein in MFP because I'm in the Fat Shredder Phase of P90X. I'm pretty sure it's not a problem at all. Protein helps you build muscle, so like the previous poster mentioned, it will only help you if you are working out.

mxg1104 · November 2010

Good 2 know!!

LilynEdensmom · November 2010

I wondered about this since I've started drinking a protein shake after working out I"m always over by around 15-25 I wondered if it would do any damage, or if I should quit drinking the shakes?

CMcBryer · November 2010

Protein also keeps you fuller for longer, so I wouldn't worry about it if you are going over your limit by too much. As long as that protein isn't putting you over your calorie goals, you should be fine with the extra.