Eating enough/getting enough protein vs only eating when hungry. Thoughts? What do you do?

MrsH78
MrsH78 Posts: 46 Member
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Sorry is this is elsewhere but I'm feeling a bit confused.
MFP has my calories set at 1550. I'm 5'8 and 229lbs (aiming for around 168lbs). I'm quite sedentary apart from my exercise (and chasing a 13 month old around). I'm still feeding my daughter so I upped my calories to 1600.
I'd lost a lot of weight before i got pregnant this time but due to complications which meant I couldn't work out and a general 'feeling sorry for myself' i gained quite a bit during pregnancy, then having a baby who refused to sleep I got very down and sought comfort in crap food.
Anyway, i'm back on the fitness train now and I try to go by the rules - eat when hungry, stop when full and never forbid myself anything. But i'm paying closer attention to my macros this time and finding i'm way under on my protein. Sometimes i'm quite under on my calories also.

I'm not sweating the calories thing because i don't eat back my exercise calories and a deficit is always good when I've so much to lose, but.... i'm tired a lot (and not just because of my baby) and my nails are in really bad condition. I can't help but think it's because of the lack of protein.
But in order to get more protein id have to eat more and while i feel tired, i don't feel hungry and so I can't bring myself to eat just for the sake of it. That attitude is why i'm overweight in the first place and being in control makes it hard for me go against what I want to do (i.e. only eat when hungry). My husband has said i should have a protein shake after a workout and before bed but they make me very very thirsty to the point where I struggle to sleep!! Also if I'm not hungry i can't stomach one!

Does anyone else have this problem or any suggestion?

Thank you in advance

Replies

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • MrsH78
    MrsH78 Posts: 46 Member
    According to MFP it varies from around 80 to 130 depending on what i've eaten.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • MrsH78
    MrsH78 Posts: 46 Member
    Thank you.
    I'll look at the high days and rejiggle my menus.
  • Docbanana2002
    Docbanana2002 Posts: 357 Member
    edited May 2015
    USDA recommends 71 grams per day as a minimum for the average woman who is breastfeeding, so I think you are fine there (though eating more would be fine too--you're nowhere near being too high). Your calories seem way too low to me though if you are breastfeeding and not eating back exercise. That's why you are tired and showing signs of not getting proper nutrition in your fingernails. Remember you are eating not just for yourself, but also have to eat enough to supply the calories that your child needs. You'll need to add about 500 extra to account for that.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    What I do: When I first joined this site I saw that my protein was all over the place - 40g one day, 126 the next, 80 the next, etc. I tried to even it out, but just found it a chore and that I couldn't eat the way I liked. So, I stopped worrying about it. BUT, I have no problems with strength or fatigue. None. I do a lot of yard and farm work that requires quite a bit of strength.

    My suggestion: If I was tired a lot, or had trouble lifting/moving things, etc. I'd absolutely pay more attation to protein. If you feel your calories are in check, which I'm not sure from your post whether they are or not, then you don't have to eat more, you just need to eat differently. Less carbs or fat and more protein. But since you say you are exercising without eating back any of those calories, you could simply need more calories in general. In which case, adding more protein would solve both problems.
  • Deena_Bean
    Deena_Bean Posts: 906 Member
    Calcium and protein - eat lots of green veggies, too, they help with tiredness. With bad nails I would ask to have the doc run a blood panel on you to make sure your vitamins are balanced. The big 3 are B,C and D. If you're low on one of those (D especially) you'll be tired.
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    I have found that eating a breakfast that's high in protein (usually a protein bar and a piece of fruit or a shake made with protein powder, milk and fruit) gets me started on the right foot. It gives me a nice steady stream of energy rather than a spike and crash and it also helps me stay satisfied until lunch.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    Deena_Bean wrote: »
    Calcium and protein - eat lots of green veggies, too, they help with tiredness. With bad nails I would ask to have the doc run a blood panel on you to make sure your vitamins are balanced. The big 3 are B,C and D. If you're low on one of those (D especially) you'll be tired.

    This is a good point. It's not just low protein that can cause fatigue.
  • MrsH78
    MrsH78 Posts: 46 Member
    Thank you guys.
    I'll look at the protein but also think about upping the calories - scary as that is O_o
    Or just eat back exercise calories?!
    I'll also take a multivitamin. See if that helps
    Thanks again everyone, for you help, I really appreciate it.
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    MrsH78 wrote: »
    According to MFP it varies from around 80 to 130 depending on what i've eaten.

    You are fine.
This discussion has been closed.

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