300 grams of protein per day?!?!

therobinator
therobinator Posts: 832 Member
edited September 26 in Food and Nutrition
I just recalculated my dietary and micronutrition goals according to what P90X recommends. Basically, P90X would have me eating 2,400 calories per day and (at least for Phase I) 50% protein, 30% carbs, and 20% fat. This comes out to 300 grams of protein per day!:noway:

I'll be honest -- I don't plan to eat that many calories at all....probably more like 1,700-2,000 per day, but still sticking to the 50/30/20 ratio. I'll use the 2,400 it as an upper limit past which I will never go, and I will increase my actual intake if I feel the need to....i.e. if I bonk or hit a weight loss plateau.

But, how could anyone possibly get in 300 grams of protein per day? I've been told that the body basically can't process more than about 30 grams of protein per meal, so even if I were to eat 6 times a day, that'd still only be 180 grams per day. How do people do this in real life? Or is the goal with eating more than 30g of protein per meal to *cause* the body to fail to process some of it, hence losing weight/fat faster?

Replies

  • bmontgomery87
    bmontgomery87 Posts: 1,260 Member
    the 30 grams per meal isn't true.


    But 300 grams a day does seem a bit excessive. I eat around 200-250 grams a day and that takes a little work.

    I'd shoot for 1 gram per pound of LBM.
  • stormieweather
    stormieweather Posts: 2,549 Member
    I have a lot of trouble getting my protein in, but I'm improving. I've added shakes in there, as a snack, from time to time, and that helps.

    What if you have a shake near your workout and one the other half of the day? That would add about 60g if you have it with skim milk. Greek yogurt will add another 11g for the 5.3oz size. Egg whites for breakfast, tuna for lunch and chicken for dinner? I've found that I really have to focus on the protein FIRST in order to meet my goals, which are only 30%.

    I'm not sure you really need that much protein, although I know bodybuilders probably do. I'm thinking it's to ensure you have excess protein to build your muscles with, but still....300g? Wow.
  • 4theking
    4theking Posts: 1,196 Member
    I just recalculated my dietary and micronutrition goals according to what P90X recommends. Basically, P90X would have me eating 2,400 calories per day and (at least for Phase I) 50% protein, 30% carbs, and 20% fat. This comes out to 300 grams of protein per day!:noway:

    I'll be honest -- I don't plan to eat that many calories at all....probably more like 1,700-2,000 per day, but still sticking to the 50/30/20 ratio. I'll use the 2,400 it as an upper limit past which I will never go, and I will increase my actual intake if I feel the need to....i.e. if I bonk or hit a weight loss plateau.

    But, how could anyone possibly get in 300 grams of protein per day? I've been told that the body basically can't process more than about 30 grams of protein per meal, so even if I were to eat 6 times a day, that'd still only be 180 grams per day. How do people do this in real life? Or is the goal with eating more than 30g of protein per meal to *cause* the body to fail to process some of it, hence losing weight/fat faster?

    The body is only able to process 30gms of protein per meal is ridiculous and 300 grams of protein, which I don't think you need that much, would not be hard to do. Eat meat and lots of it.
  • Edestiny7
    Edestiny7 Posts: 730 Member
    Your kidneys dispose of any excess protein your body can not handle, which can be hard on your kidneys if you are not hydrated enough. I have kidney stones and have to limit my protein and sodium to prevent more from being formed.
  • bmontgomery87
    bmontgomery87 Posts: 1,260 Member
    kidneys aren't just going to make you pee out extra protein. otherwise you could theoretically eat all the protein you want and never gain weight.

    doesn't work like that.



    stay hydrated. eat big. you'll be fine.
  • bmontgomery87
    bmontgomery87 Posts: 1,260 Member
    kidneys aren't just going to make you pee out extra protein. otherwise you could theoretically eat all the protein you want and never gain weight.

    doesn't work like that.



    stay hydrated. eat big. you'll be fine.
  • therobinator
    therobinator Posts: 832 Member
    For those that may not know, I wanted to add that the P90X nutrition plan only calls for this high amount of proten for the first phase (3-4 weeks), then it moves down to 40% protein for the next 3-4 weeks, then in phase 3 goes down to an overall micronutrient ratio level that is a lot more "normal" for "regular" people. So, kidney problems shouldn't be that big of a concern because this isn't a long-term plan. I was just curious as to how people who really eat this much in real life (for short periods of time or long or whatever) accomplish it. :flowerforyou:
  • Edestiny7
    Edestiny7 Posts: 730 Member
    When a high dietary protein intake is consumed, there is an increase in urea excretion, which suggests that amino acid oxidation is increased.[14] High levels of protein intake increase the activity of branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase.[14] As a result, oxidation is facilitated, and the amino group of the amino acid is excreted to the liver.[14] This process suggests that excess protein consumption results in protein oxidation and that the protein is excreted.[14] The body is unable to store excess protein.[14][19] Protein is digested into amino acids, which enter the bloodstream. Excess amino acids are converted to other usable molecules by the liver in a process called deamination. Deamination converts nitrogen from the amino acid into ammonia, which is converted by the liver into urea in the urea cycle. Excretion of urea is performed by the kidneys. These organs can normally cope with any extra workload, but, if a kidney disease occurs, a decrease in protein will often be prescribed.[20] Furthermore, as noted, protein provides the body with 4 calories per gram, and when there is excess protein intake, the body will utilize as much of it for energy as possible.[2] After that stage, the body will produce fat from the excess protein, turning it into fat cells.[2]

    Many researchers have also found that excessive intake of protein increases calcium excretion in urine.[3] It has been thought that this occurs to maintain the pH imbalance from the oxidation of sulfur amino acids.[3]

    Another issue arising from overconsumption of protein is a higher risk of kidney stone formation from calcium in the renal circulatory system.[3] It has been found that high animal protein intake in healthy individuals increases the probability of forming kidney stones by 250 percent.[3]

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein_(nutrient)
  • skelly013
    skelly013 Posts: 12 Member
    Remember when P90X tells you to eat 2400 calories that is total calories for the day including those burned from working out. They assume that you will burn close to 800 calories from their workout so are adding those in already.
  • therobinator
    therobinator Posts: 832 Member
    Remember when P90X tells you to eat 2400 calories that is total calories for the day including those burned from working out. They assume that you will burn close to 800 calories from their workout so are adding those in already.
    Yes, I know. I was only asking how a person, like logistically, can squeeze in SO MUCH protein with only so many meals in a day. No worries.
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