protein?

gaxarlis08
gaxarlis08 Posts: 40 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
MFP said I ate too much protein today. is that bad? will it make me gain weight if i eat too much protein?

Replies

  • mikejholmes
    mikejholmes Posts: 291 Member
    It is *possible* to eat too much protein, but you'd have to have FAR more than you did. Bodybuilders regularly exceed 1g of protein per lb of bodyweight, and they are fine.

    As for gaining weight -- that's a simple matter of calories. Eat more than you burn, you put on weight. Eat less than you burn, you lose weight. Macros (protein is considered a macronutrient) do not appreciably affect weight loss.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Don't worry about protein, it's just a recommended daily allowance, not a strict guideline. In fact, it's good to go over that number. As far as weight goes, the only thing that truly matters is your calories. As long as you're within goal, you'll lose.
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    Calories are what matter for weight loss. Macro nutrients (carbs/fat/protein) help with different things, including hunger and body composition. You can set those numbers however you want and MFP's numbers are just suggestions. Going over or under on any of those numbers shouldn't hurt your weight loss.

    Personally, I've always thought MFP's protein default is a little too low anyway.
  • DeadliftAddict
    DeadliftAddict Posts: 746 Member
    You can always add more protein to your day by editing your goals if it bothers you. I can't see your diet to see how much you actually ate or how much is suggested that you eat. Eating more protein can help with hunger.
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    I think of MFP #s for protein and fiber as minimums rather than maximum - they're usually pretty low.
  • gaxarlis08
    gaxarlis08 Posts: 40 Member
    thanks everybody for your responses, MFP recommended 60 and my total was 70
  • sassyrayofsunshine
    sassyrayofsunshine Posts: 499 Member
    MFP also suggests 1200 calorie diets, but it's not the way to go. Protein is your friend.
  • Stoshew71
    Stoshew71 Posts: 6,553 Member
    Protein is one of 3 macros that you can eat (protein, carbs, fats). If your main concern is weight gain, protein is probably the best macro to go over on. Your body uses protein primary for building back or repairing muscle tissue. Your body does have a way to use protein for energy when you have a lowered supply of carbs, but your body has to work harder to make that transition into energy (meaning you burn more cals to do so than say a simple carb). Also, protein is more fullfilling (meaning you will feel more full and for a longer time than if you ate the same amount of another macro).

    Carbs is the kind of food macro that your body depends upon the most for energy. Simple carbs (monosaccharides and disaccharides) take the least amount of effort by your body to transition into energy. Complex carbs (polysaccharides, starches, things like whole grains, fiber rich fruit, ect) requires more energy by your body and the fiber makes you feel fuller without added calories. Protein even more energy is required to process into energy.

    Like someone else said, as long as your eating overall at a slight calorie deficit, you should not gain weight no matter what macro balance you are eating at.

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