Protein makes me too full

sarko15
sarko15 Posts: 330 Member
edited December 23 in Food and Nutrition
I've been trying to up my protein significantly. I'm a vegetarian, so it takes a little more work and planning. I've gotten by 14 years of vegetarianism on roughly half the amount of protein I "need" and feel fine enough -- except now I'm trying to build strength, so I'm supplementing.

The thing is -- I am not hungry at all, especially when I frontload my protein in the AM to allow myself for a slightly more carby dinner. This morning after the gym I had a protein bar (15g) and a protein shake with water (30g) -- over the course of maybe two hours. My goal is 80g. The problem is this is obviously not enough calories and I should be eating lunch, but I know that this will tide me over well until dinner, and I need other nutrients and even more protein as well (which I'd get from dietary sources instead of another protein shake).

I know this will probably change over time as my body adapts. What do I do -- just power through even if the thought of eating more makes me ill? Or are there better ways to space out my protein?

Replies

  • Mcwi3681
    Mcwi3681 Posts: 67 Member
    I had the same problem when I first started eating a proper amount of protein. I have a 48 g protein breakfast smoothie and for the first few weeks, I just had to force myself to eat lunch/dinner until I got used to it. A lot of times (even now) I end up with way too many calories left over at night, so I just have ice cream/chocolate.
  • sarko15
    sarko15 Posts: 330 Member
    Mcwi3681 wrote: »
    I had the same problem when I first started eating a proper amount of protein. I have a 48 g protein breakfast smoothie and for the first few weeks, I just had to force myself to eat lunch/dinner until I got used to it. A lot of times (even now) I end up with way too many calories left over at night, so I just have ice cream/chocolate.

    Okay, okay, now we're talking...if this gives me more room for ice cream or chocolate then I'm all for it :p
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,486 Member
    Try backloading your protein drink.

    I too found them filling during the day, 35g protein for 150 cals. Moreso than if I had had a mixed food lunch of higher cals but the same protein.

    I now use it as a backup, if I’m a bit short during the day, I mix a protein drink with the grams to make up my short fall and have it quite late in the evening. That gives me all night to digest it.

    I like the idea of using it as a supplement, rather than a meal replacement. Even though you are using it to up your protein on a vegetarian diet, you could still eat what you prefer to eat during the day to fill your other nutritional needs, and supplement the protein drink at night.

    Cheers, h.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories