Is it bad to eat over your protein allowance?

DiarrahW
DiarrahW Posts: 25 Member
edited September 27 in Health and Weight Loss
I just read a few comments from older posts and people were saying that they struggle to stay below their protein allowance. I go over mine almost everyday and I'm wondering if that is a bad thing to do? Does it slow weight loss or something?

Thanks! :)

Replies

  • leomom72
    leomom72 Posts: 1,797 Member
    i would think the more you eat, the better, but i am curious too
  • MayMaydoesntrun
    MayMaydoesntrun Posts: 805 Member
    bump
  • sabrinag6005
    sabrinag6005 Posts: 14
    are you eating 90gms of protein a day? that is a lot for one day. If not you should be fine. I dont' think it's bad to even go over this amount as long as they are good lean proteins and not fatty ones. But since your taking in so much protein make sure your drinking enough water and def a multi vitamin.
  • brattyworm
    brattyworm Posts: 2,137 Member
    i think it depends on how much and when. I believe you're body can only process 25 - 30 gram an hour... but you also need the protein to rebuild your muscles so if you do heavy protein its best to do it with in an hour after you workout. But I'm not an expert thats just what i've come across on the inet doing research and found out from talking to people.
  • hatchhome
    hatchhome Posts: 65
    You should never eat without some protein and you should be getting at least your goal weight in protein everyday. When you dont eat enough protein and you work out your body takes it from your body ie muscles. MFP is low on the goal if you ask me. This is just what I have researched and feel is correct. some may have a better method or guideline.
  • Britlatalladi
    Britlatalladi Posts: 5
    I go over mine probably four or five days out of any given week, but I have lost 19 lbs in a little over 30 days so I would say that it's not a problem. I would rather go over on protein because it keeps you full longer so in the long run if you eat more protein, you eat less of everything else. I have been watching refined starch and sugar (white bread and junk like that) and watching my sodium and as long as I'm under on my cals, I'm even ok with being a little over on fat grams sometimes. I would much rather have a couple ounces of chicken than have a cup of rice! I defenitely do NOT stress over going over on protein, some people actually need more than MFP says they do anyway, esp. if you have lots of muscle mass and work out a lot! Don't stress, I wouldn't! :) Good luck!
  • EatDrinkandbeSkinny
    EatDrinkandbeSkinny Posts: 9 Member
    There are a lot of articles on the web that argue both sides. Some doctors say that your body cannot regulate to much protein and it may stress out your organs. Other articles argue that as long as your working out protein can help build muscle. Its probably just a safe bet to not have to much of anything. Everything should be in moderation but if you have to go over on something protein probably isn't the worst thing.
    http://www.nutritionresearchcenter.org/healthnews/too-much-protein-is-no-good/
    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/randy11.htm
  • PeachyKeene
    PeachyKeene Posts: 1,645 Member
    There are a lot of high protein low card diets out there, that prove to be very successful, but I think MFP sets your goal (recommended) at 15% of your daily intake. To me that is not much. I customized my goal to eat 40% protein. Which that lower my carbs as well and I am fine with that. I think eating more protein can only benefit weightloss. I think the only time you could have a problem with eating to much protein is if you eat massive amounts. Such as my son, he is trying to have a lot of lean muscle, so he drinks Whey protein shakes, soy protein shakes, eats protein bars and wants to eat a 16 oz steak at every meal. Of course, I don't let him do all of these every day, but he would if I let him.
  • TheMrsBee
    TheMrsBee Posts: 226 Member
    I think you should eat within your targets but protein isn't that for you. but if you are concerned eat lean meats like chicken and fillet steak rather than pork, lamb and other steaks - unless you cut the fat off. Cut out as much bread and pasta as you can and try have brown bread or pasta if you need to eat it. have bigger breakfasts and lunches and smaller evening meals. I have omlette for dinner with 2 egss, 2 spring onion or onion and 1 slice of parma ham and maybe a piece of tast too with a little butter and that fills me up. have a nice big salad or baked potato for lunch with little or no butter and tuna or baked beans for breakfast have something good but filling. good luck

    **I am not a nutritionist, i go by what has been told by doctors, weight watchers etc**
  • bmontgomery87
    bmontgomery87 Posts: 1,260 Member
    no its not bad to eat over on protein provided you still meet your other goals for the day.
    As long as you aren't over on your caloric needs, you should be fine.


    use the search button. Theres at least two threads per day asking the same question.
    Lots of answers on them.
  • damcool
    damcool Posts: 97 Member
    No, it absolutely doesn't slow your weight loss. The more protein the better! However, there needs to be a balance between protein and fiber. If you eat a lot of protein, you need to eat a lot of fiber (or take supplements, e.g. Psyllium Husk Powder). In my opinion, the best way to lose weight is with high protein, high fiber, and moderate healthy fats. Fiber helps digest the protein more easily so that you don't get constipated. I never worry about protein or fiber. I only try to stay under my carbs and processed sugars. Good luck to you!!
  • Jmckenzie84
    Jmckenzie84 Posts: 1
    It's not a bad thing to go over your protein allowance... as long as it is withing reason and your body is able to burn it off. You can't have a 80g protein allowance and eat 180g of protein. The extra protein in your body will be stored as fat. However, you also don't want to go under your protein allowance b/c your body won't be able to build muscle and burn fat (the more muscle you have, the better your body is as burning fat). Your protein allowance per day should be .8-1.5 times your weight in pounds. Start with the lowest and then work your way up on the protein scale to get the results you want. However your body can only burn off 25-35g of protein per meal so you also need to take that into account - if you need closer to 100g of protein then take in 30g per meal so your body can accurately and efficiently burn it and use it. The more protein, the more muscle.... the less protein, the less muscle. You want to try to stay close to your protein allowance every day, but not go under or over too much. On here, it tells me that I am supposed of have 45g-65g of protein every day... for me, this is wrong and I actually need about 95-120g of protein every day... so I am for that.

    Hope this helped! =)
  • DiarrahW
    DiarrahW Posts: 25 Member
    Thanks for all the repsonses!! :)
  • rangerwife77
    rangerwife77 Posts: 7
    It really depends on what you are doing fitness wise. If you are a bodybuilder you need your bodyweight or more in protein. If you are just trying to lean out you need 60-100 depending on your body type. Everyones needs are different.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I just read a few comments from older posts and people were saying that they struggle to stay below their protein allowance. I go over mine almost everyday and I'm wondering if that is a bad thing to do? Does it slow weight loss or something?

    Thanks! :)

    I think it's bad to keep your protein too low when you are losing weight. If you don't' get enough protein, and you are exercising, then you will lose more lean body mass instead of fat.

    Also, unless you have a kidney-related chronic illness, it is *very* difficult to get too much protein. MFP sets your default at about half of what most women could easily take in. It is better to go over than under, IMO.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories