Too much protein?

figgybone
figgybone Posts: 5
edited November 11 in Health and Weight Loss
I used to do weight watchers. I got sick of tracking points, and so I got myself an UP Move and decided to do MFP and track my calories instead. What I've learned, because WW does not give this information, is that I am eating WAY too much protein. Even when I eat a vegetarian breakfast and lunch, STILL i am getting way too much protein. What are you people eating to stay at the recommended protein level? I'm so confused. I make everything from scratch and eat very little processed food.

Thanks in advance.

Replies

  • girlviernes
    girlviernes Posts: 2,402 Member
    How much protein are you eating?
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    How many grams of protein are you eating a day and how much do you weigh? Do you know your body fat %?
  • figgybone
    figgybone Posts: 5
    Well, today (with oatmeal for breakfast and a veggie wrap for lunch) I still managed to be over by 20 g in protein - so I had 64 g according to my food diary on MFP.
  • girlviernes
    girlviernes Posts: 2,402 Member
    I doubt that is a problem unless you have a medical condition in which you need to be careful about protein.
  • girlviernes
    girlviernes Posts: 2,402 Member
    My daily protein goal is 120g+
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    The custom macros on MFP are not always legit. I eat anywhere between 100-140 grams of protein a day. 64 would be a sad day.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    girlviernes wrote: »
    I doubt that is a problem unless you have a medical condition in which you need to be careful about protein.

    This
  • figgybone
    figgybone Posts: 5
    I weigh 129. Usually my dinners contain somewhere between 20-30 g of protein...so if I eat an egg and cheese breakfast, it appears I'm screwed.
  • jenglish712
    jenglish712 Posts: 497 Member
    Unless you have Kidney problems I would not be too worried about going over on protein. I consider it a minimum. I usually eat 120-150g a day without trying.
  • myfatass78
    myfatass78 Posts: 411 Member
    If you eat too much protein, your body will just discard it. The MFP calculations for protein are tiny anyway. I would suggest the MFP protein amount should be a minimum rather than a maximum.
  • obscuremusicreference
    obscuremusicreference Posts: 1,320 Member
    Well, you do need protein to preserve your muscle mass and carbs/fat/protein ratio is meaningless to weight loss. Your body will eliminate excess protein, and if you have functioning kidneys, it really isn't a concern. Would you find it easier to focus on getting more carbs or fat, with your protein decreasing that way?
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    I think it is recommended to eat .8 grams of protein per pound of body weight or something.
  • keithw2013
    keithw2013 Posts: 77 Member
    Your not eating too much protein. How do you have your percentages of fat, carbs, and protein set up in the diet planning?
  • myfatass78
    myfatass78 Posts: 411 Member
    Protein Calc - http://www.healthcalculators.org/calculators/protein.asp
  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    figgybone wrote: »
    Well, today (with oatmeal for breakfast and a veggie wrap for lunch) I still managed to be over by 20 g in protein - so I had 64 g according to my food diary on MFP.

    That isn't too much. I eat twice that.
  • keithw2013
    keithw2013 Posts: 77 Member
    myfatass78 wrote: »
    If you eat too much protein, your body will just discard it. The MFP calculations for protein are tiny anyway. I would suggest the MFP protein amount should be a minimum rather than a maximum.

    I agree. I love your name my fatass78.
  • obscuremusicreference
    obscuremusicreference Posts: 1,320 Member
    keithw2013 wrote: »
    Your not eating too much protein. How do you have your percentages of fat, carbs, and protein set up in the diet planning?

    This. Mine is 40/30/30 and I get a 90 gram allowance.
  • Codilee87
    Codilee87 Posts: 509 Member
    I don't mind eating over my protein and fiber goals, but I try to be more careful with my fat and carb levels. If you are very active - a competitive athlete or dedicated runner - then you will want to boost your carb intake to fuel those workouts but if you are working out moderately having lower carbs and higher protein isn't horrible.
  • figgybone
    figgybone Posts: 5
    Oh my goodness, thanks so much you guys. I have been freaking out about this! I exercise 6 days a week, and I eat really pretty healthy (we almost never eat out) so I was thinking I have been really screwing up with the protein intake! I think I am feeling more like I'm doing okay and don't need to rethink this. I truly appreciate the comments!
  • myfatass78
    myfatass78 Posts: 411 Member
    keithw2013 wrote: »
    myfatass78 wrote: »
    If you eat too much protein, your body will just discard it. The MFP calculations for protein are tiny anyway. I would suggest the MFP protein amount should be a minimum rather than a maximum.

    I agree. I love your name my fatass78.

    Hahaha. That was the first thing that popped into my head. I'm in Australia and we have a very self-deprecating self of humour.
  • 2BeHappy2
    2BeHappy2 Posts: 811 Member
    Dang, this calculator only goes down to 4'10...Im 4'2 :neutral_face:
  • myfatass78
    myfatass78 Posts: 411 Member
    When I did this whole thing the last time I was on about 90g of protein a day and I felt great and really strong. My housemates used to complain that I turned off every tap in the house too tight for them to turn on and I could move a couch on my own lol
  • SergeantSausage
    SergeantSausage Posts: 1,673 Member
    That protein target is a minimum, not a maximum. You aim for at least that number, not at most.
  • stephxo1
    stephxo1 Posts: 191 Member
    My protein target is set at 30% at the moment and that gives me 188g per day to work with so you've nothing to worry about. 0.8-1g per kilo of bodyweight is an average and like others say, your body will get rid of any unwanted protein anyway. If you work out 6 days per week I'd be eating more protein that you currently are anyway to feed those muscles properly. So stop panicking lol
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • stephxo1
    stephxo1 Posts: 191 Member
    MrM27 wrote: »
    stephxo1 wrote: »
    My protein target is set at 30% at the moment and that gives me 188g per day to work with so you've nothing to worry about. 0.8-1g per kilo of bodyweight is an average and like others say, your body will get rid of any unwanted protein anyway. If you work out 6 days per week I'd be eating more protein that you currently are anyway to feed those muscles properly. So stop panicking lol

    188g is complete overkill on protein.

    I don't hit this target but try to aim for the 0.8g per kilo bodyweight ratio. Just shows though that the target set by MFP isn't always right like in the OPs case.
  • eMka11
    eMka11 Posts: 106 Member
    2BeHappy2 wrote: »
    Dang, this calculator only goes down to 4'10...Im 4'2 :neutral_face:

    I am using this to calculate my goals and macros, you can input your own weight/height, may be useful?
    http://www.gainsandguns.com/nutrition-en/calories-tracker-spreadsheet/
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    I think it is recommended to eat .8 grams of protein per pound of body weight or something.

    per pound of LBM not body weight - so it also depends on body fat % (and it's 0.8 - 1g per lb of LBM
This discussion has been closed.

Categories