Proteins.. are mine set too low?

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ShellyMacchi
ShellyMacchi Posts: 975 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I am trying to understand what is up with the protein settings.

I struggle every day to not go over in my proteins, usually unsuccessfully, and I know I am making healthy choices.
I do admit I was surprised by just how little protein was being allowed.
I am regularly under in calories and carbs (and sodium but THAT's a good thing *LOL*).. and regularly over in protein.

But after browsing through a number of folks food diaries here, that seem to have same base goal as I do of 1200 calories per day, their protein allowances seems so much higher than mine even taking exercise into consideration.

What's up with that? why the differences?
Should I be manually adjusting my levels? Do I even need to?

Help? *LOL*

(my food diary is public if anyone wishes to have a look)

Replies

  • edorice
    edorice Posts: 4,519 Member
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    Adjust your levels, protein good.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/139205-common-protein-concerns-questions?page=1#posts-2008930
  • 3agirls
    3agirls Posts: 13 Member
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    That is happening to me too! As long as it is the protein that is over and not calories or fat - I feel it should be fine!! I am curious what others say to that also.
  • RaeannePemberton
    RaeannePemberton Posts: 382 Member
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    i believe the default is 15%, this is WAY TOO LOW if you want to build lean muscle.... adjust!
  • ajbeans
    ajbeans Posts: 2,857 Member
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    It certainly won't hurt you to go over on your protein, provided you don't have health issues that will be exacerbated by too much protein -- but if that were the case, you would more than likely know it by now. I would just not worry about it.
  • krsslim
    krsslim Posts: 191
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    I had this problem, talked about it in another forum, and here's what I did:

    You can change your targets in your profile/goals section. I upped my protein cals by 5% and lowered the carb cals by that same 5%. As long as you are not going over 30% of your calories coming from protein, you should be good. That 5% seems to have made a big difference for me.
  • carl1738
    carl1738 Posts: 444 Member
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    Think of the protein as more of a minimum level that you should reach daily. The default setting is way low! You can customize it if you want. I've got mine set for 40%. MFP is set for 15%, I believe. Feel free to go over in protein, it's the fat and the carbs that should be somewhat limited.
  • Naomi91
    Naomi91 Posts: 892 Member
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    Adjust your levels, protein good.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/139205-common-protein-concerns-questions?page=1#posts-2008930

    i love how this gets asked 4654375 times a day and now the resposes just get shorter and shorter xD
  • ShellyMacchi
    ShellyMacchi Posts: 975 Member
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    wow.. such useful answers! thank you so much everyone!

    makes me wonder... why does mfp have the default protein level set so low to begin if this is such a common question *L*
  • Naomi91
    Naomi91 Posts: 892 Member
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    wow.. such useful answers! thank you so much everyone!

    makes me wonder... why does mfp have the default protein level set so low to begin if this is such a common question *L*

    I agree actually :] the RDA is 10-35% so it is definately more on the low side
  • bumblebee007
    bumblebee007 Posts: 4 Member
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    I cant find the button for changing the protein setting? Where is it on the website? Hadn't realised it was so low!
  • ShellyMacchi
    ShellyMacchi Posts: 975 Member
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    just changed my protein from default (20%) to 25% (taking the extra 5% out of carbs)... and yay! i think that simple change will work for me..
    thanks everyone!

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