Protein & Cardio Question.

jerimialovato
jerimialovato Posts: 2 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
So I have my protein goal for the day. However, when I do cardio and log it, the macros go back up, including the protein of course. My question, do I have to eat the extra in order to hit my goal for the day, or if I hit my first number so I not need to worry about it?
Sorry if it’s a dumb question or if I’m in the wrong place. I’m new here.

Replies

  • jerimialovato
    jerimialovato Posts: 2 Member
    Thank you for your answers.
  • RockingWithLJ
    RockingWithLJ Posts: 243 Member
    I personally eat to what my preset goal is and everything extra from exercise is optional. I do try to hit my protein goal as close as possible with those extra calories if I'm going to eat anything extra. Today I had an extra 600 calories so instead of having an extra meal I decided to have a scoop of casein protein and two scoops of whey in milk. My muscles have been really sore lately so that's why I chose that particular drink.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 36,253 Member
    If you still have the MFP default percents, and aren't trying to lose superfast for your current size, eating the base number of protein grams (i.e., pre-exercise number) is probably adequate.

    Some of us (me for one 😉 ) like to set a mental protein goal in grams, and work to that. Personally, while losing, I used the goal range of 0.6-0.8g protein minimum per pound of healthy goal weight (which for most people will be roughly equivalent to 0.8-1g per pound of lean body mass), but that's well above USDA minimums to avoid malnutrition. (My reading convinced me that it was good to get a little more while losing weight and active. YMMV.)

    If you want to delve into it further, there's an article at the link below from a generally-respected, generally regarded as neutral, evidence-based site about protein needs for various situations. It links to a calculator that will give you an estimated gram goal based on some personal characteristics.

    https://examine.com/nutrition/how-much-protein-do-you-need/
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