too much protein

rddeppy
rddeppy Posts: 44
edited September 29 in Health and Weight Loss
So its lunch time and I thought I was doing well. Then I look at my food tracker and I've already had all my protein for the day. I dont know how to do this without menus lined up for me. Any good links? Here is what I had today. Two slices of peanut butter toast with half a small banana and then I grilled up chicken breast (didnt really measure but I'd say 3-4 oz at most) for lunch with raw carrots and strawberries. So while I have plenty of calories for the evening meal I'm not supposed to have protein?

Replies

  • mags2504
    mags2504 Posts: 275
    bump, like to read replys.
  • timlord
    timlord Posts: 158
    if you lower calories you can up protein I have a source that backs this up glad to share lordsfitness@aol.com
  • mcgwnkrista
    mcgwnkrista Posts: 53
    My personal belief is that you can go a little over when it comes to things like fiber and protein. BUT according to some websites, too much protein can be dangerous.

    http://diet.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Side_Effects_of_Too_Much_Protein_in_the_Diet
  • tiggilee
    tiggilee Posts: 40 Member
    Well, this is just my opinion, but I find that the MFP goals lowball me on protein. I acutally go in and set custom goals to create a 40% carbs, 30% protein, 30% fat ratio. I know my body, and I cannot eat 55% carbs and lose weight/feel good, unless I am training heavily for an endurance event. Do you find that if you don't eat enough protein with meals you get the shakes? Do you CRAVE protein? Are you and "apple" body type? If so, you may want to go in and adjust your goals:

    My Home> Goals> Change Goals > Choose "Custom" > Set your Carb/Protein/Fat ratios > Click "Change Goals" at bottom of screen.

    Then you will see you may not be over in protein! Again, I am not a nutritionist, this is just what works for me. Best of luck!
  • thinby40
    thinby40 Posts: 113
    Peanut butter has too much fat and protein....I had some for breakfast today on 1/2 bagel and then I wasn't allowed much more fat and protein after that. I'm going to eliminate that from my diet now!
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I go over on fiber and protein every day. And on sugar most days, even though I rarely eat sweets. I've just stopped worrying about it. If 2 pieces of fruit is going to put me over on sugar then so so be it. And fiber and protein are both things my body needs so bring 'em on, I say!!
  • k8edge
    k8edge Posts: 380
    It would help to see your diary to know what kind of protein you are having.

    I would say that lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, or fish are great in unlimited quantities. If you are filling up on bacon, hamburger, and steak... Then you would have a problem. Protein is a building block to building muscle and burning fat. As long as you are eating healthy proteins than you are okay.

    I rarely pay attention to the protein count. I pay more attention to sugar, sodium, and carbs.
  • rddeppy
    rddeppy Posts: 44
    I definitely feel like I need protein to get through. I'm pretty proportionate (not apple shape). Thanks for the input. I am not going to sweat the protein as long as I'm getting a balance that is healthy.
  • frugalmomsrock
    frugalmomsrock Posts: 1,123
    You can go over on protein and fiber no problems. Those are minimums. The sodium, cholesterol, carbs, and sugars, are more of the max's.
  • rddeppy
    rddeppy Posts: 44
    yeah thats a fear I have. I love peanut butter! Maybe I can find a good substitute or at least the lower fat variety?
  • ChantalGG
    ChantalGG Posts: 2,404 Member
    I actually made my diary allow me more protein and less carbs. Just a bit of a difference. If it is one day dont worry about it.
  • k8edge
    k8edge Posts: 380
    Look for lower sugar pb or lower sodium.

    Sunflower butter is good... So is almond butter :)
  • mcgwnkrista
    mcgwnkrista Posts: 53
    I've heard coconut peanut butter is a healthier version, I'm not sure about how much better it is though.
  • photorific
    photorific Posts: 577 Member
    PB2 is pretty tasty...
  • abbyko
    abbyko Posts: 108
    yeah thats a fear I have. I love peanut butter! Maybe I can find a good substitute or at least the lower fat variety?

    Dude....PB2! www.bellplantation.com
  • sweebum
    sweebum Posts: 1,060 Member
    Well, this is just my opinion, but I find that the MFP goals lowball me on protein. I acutally go in and set custom goals to create a 40% carbs, 30% protein, 30% fat ratio. I know my body, and I cannot eat 55% carbs and lose weight/feel good, unless I am training heavily for an endurance event. Do you find that if you don't eat enough protein with meals you get the shakes? Do you CRAVE protein? Are you and "apple" body type? If so, you may want to go in and adjust your goals:

    My Home> Goals> Change Goals > Choose "Custom" > Set your Carb/Protein/Fat ratios > Click "Change Goals" at bottom of screen.

    Then you will see you may not be over in protein! Again, I am not a nutritionist, this is just what works for me. Best of luck!

    Totally agree with this. My ratios are 40,30,30 :smile:
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Peanut butter has too much fat and protein....I had some for breakfast today on 1/2 bagel and then I wasn't allowed much more fat and protein after that. I'm going to eliminate that from my diet now!

    Peanut butter is a good diet food!

    Even peanut butter, one of America's favorite comfort foods, has a place on a weight loss diet. Studies have shown that snacking on controlled amounts of peanut butter or peanuts is a good way to control hunger without weight gain. One study published in the International Journal of Obesity showed that people who snacked on peanuts and peanut butter stayed satisfied for two to two and one-half hours and did not experience weight gain.
    (http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/dont-ditch-these-fattening-foods-when-youre-on-a-diet)
  • stanvoodoo
    stanvoodoo Posts: 1,023 Member
    More protein is fine, unless told otherwise by your Doctor. The levels here are low, lots of threads on it. Most of us do more, in fact I have mine custom set to 100.

    You need to have protein, fiber and water to have a healthy lifestyle. Together with the right calories, lower fat and carbs work to build lean muscle and burn fat.

    Best of Luck!
  • ruststar
    ruststar Posts: 489 Member
    Lean protein is good for you and I wouldn't worry about going over. The amount MFP defaults to is 15% which is low - I have mine set at 20% and still always go over without worrying about it. I try to eat protein with every meal and snack throughout the day because it keeps me full longer. Sometimes that's a piece of string cheese or a handful of almonds in greek yogurt, but it all adds up. If a couple slices of peanut butter toast put you over your settings are probably too low.
  • rddeppy
    rddeppy Posts: 44
    There is a store six miles from me that sells that pb2 so I'll go pick some up and try if you say it tastes close.
  • chrissym78
    chrissym78 Posts: 628 Member
    I always eat about 100 g of protein a day, sometimes more. Protein is very important if your goal is to build muscle and burn stored fat.
  • tam120
    tam120 Posts: 444 Member
    yeah thats a fear I have. I love peanut butter! Maybe I can find a good substitute or at least the lower fat variety?

    I, personally, don't recommend using a reduced fat pnb. I used it for a long time until I read the label and saw that it contains hydrogenated oil (trans fats) which is worse for you than the fat in the peanuts themselves. PNB is a healthy snack, you need good fat in your diet and going over on protein isn't a big deal especially if you're working out. I switched to natural pnb and fruit spread on reduced calorie 100% whole wheat bread. I eat it every day before my noon workout. Our group exercise manager at the gym actually recommended it, she eats it often as well. She's in fabulous shape - I'd love to have her muscle definition.
    I don't think pb2 has hydrogenated oil, so it's not in the same category as, say, Jif Reduced Fat, I used to eat it but I wasn't that big of a fan.
  • CaptainMFP
    CaptainMFP Posts: 440 Member
    yeah thats a fear I have. I love peanut butter! Maybe I can find a good substitute or at least the lower fat variety?

    I like simply Jiff and eat it almost daily (and lose almost daily too!). It's 6 g carb, 16 g fat, and 8 g protein per serving but is low sugar and salt. (It tastes like it too so there is an adjustment period if you're used to high sugar peanut butter.)

    You don't want to be ridiculous about protein. Nitrogenous wastes come from protein and if you've heard of antioxidants...the oxidizing agents in our cells that these substances counter are produced mainly by metabolism of proteins. But it takes A LOT of protein to really risk long term damage. My goals are set at 50% carb, 30% fat, 20% protein and I do quite well with both loss of weight and feeling comfortable during the day.
  • lcoulter23
    lcoulter23 Posts: 568 Member
    Peanut butter has a lot of protein and fat, but the protein is good for you and the fat is the good type of fat. It is also a low sodium food. 2 tablespoons of skippy has only 150 mg of sodium. The bottom line is, the default setting for MFP protein is 15%. Way too low. You should set it to at least 25-30%.
  • AlSalzman
    AlSalzman Posts: 296 Member
    You can experience negative side-effects to excesive protein consumption, but you typically have to drastically over-consume and do so for a sustained length of time. Missing your MFP target by a few grams once or twice a week won't be the end of you.

    I dramatically over-consumed protein for about four months and had indications of kidney problems in my bloodwork. I was eating proteins at a level consistent with what a strength athlete (ex, powerlifter) would take in, but wasn't even close to the exercise level that would necessitate it. Unless that sounds like what you're consuming you probably don't have anything to worry about.
  • doughnutwretch
    doughnutwretch Posts: 498 Member
    MFP sets recommended protein intake really low. I have adjusted mine so that I'm getting over 100g of protein a day and I've been losing weight steadily since I got better about eating more protein and fiber and watching my carb, fat and sodium intake. You can customize your levels of everything by going to Goals on your Home and select to customize them. I have my protein set to 40%, carbs to 40% and fat to 30%. Seems to be working great!
  • marie_2454
    marie_2454 Posts: 881 Member
    Protein is fine to go over on and I wouldn't even worry about it. Some days I have a hard time just meeting the minimum protein requirements, but on the few days I go over, I'm pretty happy about it! :bigsmile: There's no need to worry about overdoing the protein unless you're eating like hundreds of grams every day.
  • jillica
    jillica Posts: 554 Member
    I was going to pose this same question! So glad I spotted yours first. I just started MFP and I, too, go over my protein everyday. I go over it by much more than a couple of grams. What level do I enter into the "negative side-effects" range?

    Jill
    SW:186
    CW:183
    GW:150
  • bmpal
    bmpal Posts: 36
    I go over on fiber and protein every day. And on sugar most days, even though I rarely eat sweets. I've just stopped worrying about it. If 2 pieces of fruit is going to put me over on sugar then so so be it. And fiber and protein are both things my body needs so bring 'em on, I say!!

    I concur! I go over on protein and fiber practically every day too. I do not think this is a bad thing.
  • kklindsey
    kklindsey Posts: 382 Member
    Peanut butter has too much fat and protein....I had some for breakfast today on 1/2 bagel and then I wasn't allowed much more fat and protein after that. I'm going to eliminate that from my diet now!

    Peanut butter is a good diet food!

    Even peanut butter, one of America's favorite comfort foods, has a place on a weight loss diet. Studies have shown that snacking on controlled amounts of peanut butter or peanuts is a good way to control hunger without weight gain. One study published in the International Journal of Obesity showed that people who snacked on peanuts and peanut butter stayed satisfied for two to two and one-half hours and did not experience weight gain.
    (http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/dont-ditch-these-fattening-foods-when-youre-on-a-diet)

    Peanut butter is not on my list because if I can't put a spoon in the jar and eat it till my mouth sticks closed, I don't want it at all. I am always way over on protein but not the fatty kind for the most part. I have to have protein with everything I eat or I literally eat everything in site. carb sensitivity.
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