Protein

How is it possible to get in 220 grams of protein a day from just diet how is it possible to eat so much I can't get past 120 on a good day

Replies

  • zebasschick
    zebasschick Posts: 1,067 Member
    edited August 2020
    first, what is your daily overall calorie budget? unless you're a serious bodybuilder, i can't imagine why you'd need to eat 220 grams of protein per day, which would be 880 calories from protein alone. you could eat non-fat yogurt and stuff like that, but most food when eaten in such large amounts would add fat or carbs or lots of sodium.

    the easiest way to get lots of protein with no added fat or carbs would be to get a whey protein isolate protein powder with no additives, mix it with water, and drink it several times per day.

    these are a couple that i use and like
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MAW6YU1/
    and
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0177EV7E4/

    btw, i'd be sure i don't have liver issues before consuming that much protein!
  • Carp614
    Carp614 Posts: 191 Member
    I have found it difficult to consistently hit my protein goals. I've had to do some experimenting to find foods that are protein dense, low(er) in fat, and don't give me stomach problems.

    While I am in the process of finding dietary protein sources, I've been using a whey protein isolate as a supplement.

    One thing I'm experimenting with now is Greek yogurt. Tons of protein and very little else if you get the fat free stuff. Doesn't taste great, but it thickens up smoothies nicely.
  • johnbhusted
    johnbhusted Posts: 7 Member
    edited August 2020
    I'm in a bit of the same boat. . .hit my weight goal, now ready to start putting weight back on where *I* want it as muscle, rather than where my body wants it as fat.

    So even doing the "0.8g per lb of body weight" puts me in the 145g per day of protein range.

    I've done the protein powder thing, but to me it smells *exactly* like the milk replacer we feed bottle calves, and I just can't choke that down.

    Past week I've had two (2) days with north of 130g, but those were offset by days below 100. . .
  • cgvet37
    cgvet37 Posts: 1,189 Member
    Get an amino acid supplement. I drink them every morning, and intra-workout. I still get as much protein from food as possible, but the amino's are a great way to supplement.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,162 Member
    How is it possible to get in 220 grams of protein a day from just diet how is it possible to eat so much I can't get past 120 on a good day

    How did you arrive at 220? Are you using the "1 gram per pound of bodyweight" idea that some bodybuilding sites like, or something else? (I'm not criticizing that goal, BTW, just asking how you arrived at it.)

    As asked above, what's your calorie goal?

    I'm only getting something over 100g daily in maintenance, and finding it straightforward even as a vegetarian, but I'm only 5'5"/128 pounds so I don't figure I need more than that, personally, and I can get it on my 1850+exercise (low 2000s gross calories eaten most days, and some over-1850+ days thrown in as 1850 is a bit below my actual maintenance). I don't find protein powder or bars tasty or satisfying (nor commercial faux meats), so I don't eat them - just food.

    A thing that helps as a vegetarian, that may also help omnivores, is to review your diary, and look for foods that "cost" a lot of calories, but don't give you much protein. Think about whether you could reduce or eliminate those, and eat something else with more protein that you also enjoy eating. (The link MaltedTea suggested is great for that.)

    A second vegetarian thing, is to think about getting small bits of protein from varied foods - go beyond the "one big protein per meal" idea. Little bits through the day can add up. There are snacks with more protein, veggies with more protein than others, grains/breads with more protein, etc.
  • RepswithRyan
    RepswithRyan Posts: 171 Member
    Milk, fish, eggs, almonds, black beans, corn, hemp seeds, yoghurt, and whey protein supplements.

    For breakfast, two eggs and a bowl of oats with a tablespoon of Hemp seed and whey protein will be around 40 to 50 grams of protein.

    Also, protein snacks throughout the day. Yoghurt, protein shakes, protein bars, etc.
  • GlynIrish
    GlynIrish Posts: 84 Member
    Thanks everyone for the good reply I do find it hard to keep fat down when upping protein but I'm working on it
    Just back after previously losing 60 lbs last year so want to start losing the last 20 now
    MFP has given me 2150 calories a day
    I'm currently eating by macros
    I weigh 214 lbs I'm 5.11 34 years old
    Feel free to add me and check out my diary if there is anything that should be treeked or removed
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    edited August 2020
    I have to plan all my meals and snacks around protein. Breakfast is nearly always plain greek yogurt mixed with protein powder and berries. Usually 40-50 grams of protein for breakfast (my daily protein goal is 180 grams). If I had something like pancakes for breakfast, I'd never make it. Lunch is usually chicken breast (I smoke a bunch on Sundays), either in a salad or a wrap or with a veggie side. Snacks are protein bars or Quest protein chips. Dinner is whatever the family is having. Then, if I still need to top off on protein, Halo Top for dessert.

    ETA: Ok, I peeped your diary. Just for the last 4 days. Today's breakfast was good, but the others were lacking in protein. I love oatmeal for breakfast, but if I have it I mix in protein powder. If you had a breakfast like today, and then your meals you show the previous days, you should be getting close. Make sure breakfast is protein-packed and I bet you'll be getting close. You may need to add in a quick protein shake during the day, as well.
  • GlynIrish
    GlynIrish Posts: 84 Member
    I have to plan all my meals and snacks around protein. Breakfast is nearly always plain greek yogurt mixed with protein powder and berries. Usually 40-50 grams of protein for breakfast (my daily protein goal is 180 grams). If I had something like pancakes for breakfast, I'd never make it. Lunch is usually chicken breast (I smoke a bunch on Sundays), either in a salad or a wrap or with a veggie side. Snacks are protein bars or Quest protein chips. Dinner is whatever the family is having. Then, if I still need to top off on protein, Halo Top for dessert.

    ETA: Ok, I peeped your diary. Just for the last 4 days. Today's breakfast was good, but the others were lacking in protein. I love oatmeal for breakfast, but if I have it I mix in protein powder. If you had a breakfast like today, and then your meals you show the previous days, you should be getting close. Make sure breakfast is protein-packed and I bet you'll be getting close. You may need to add in a quick protein shake during the day, as well.

    Thank you for that good info I appreciate it
  • tnh2o
    tnh2o Posts: 161 Member
    @AnnPT77 Thanks for letting me see your food diary. I have trouble getting enough protein and you've given me some ideas. I also like real food but will probably start adding protein powder to oatmeal and yogurt.
  • GlynIrish
    GlynIrish Posts: 84 Member
    tnh2o wrote: »
    @AnnPT77 Thanks for letting me see your food diary. I have trouble getting enough protein and you've given me some ideas. I also like real food but will probably start adding protein powder to oatmeal and yogurt.

    Same as must pick up some protein powder also
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,162 Member
    tnh2o wrote: »
    @AnnPT77 Thanks for letting me see your food diary. I have trouble getting enough protein and you've given me some ideas. I also like real food but will probably start adding protein powder to oatmeal and yogurt.

    I think that's a great idea, but want to clarify for the record that tnh2o may've gotten ideas from my diary (open to friends, not public) for vegetarian protein strategies, but the "protein powder in oatmeal" idea wasn't one of them.

    I think it's a fine food/supplement in the abstract, but don't need it to hit my protein goals personally, and since I generally don't find it tasty/satisfying, I don't bother buying it.

    Nothing against others using it, though, if they do find it helpful/needful, tasty, and/or satisfying. Nutrition is the key goal here, and if the powders help, go for it!
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Thanks everyone for the good reply I do find it hard to keep fat down when upping protein but I'm working on it
    Just back after previously losing 60 lbs last year so want to start losing the last 20 now
    MFP has given me 2150 calories a day
    I'm currently eating by macros
    I weigh 214 lbs I'm 5.11 34 years old
    Feel free to add me and check out my diary if there is anything that should be treeked or removed
    psuLemon wrote: »
    Protein is 1.5-2.2g/kg of weight or .8-1g/lb of lbm. You probably need around 140-160g of protein. I am similar stats but 168 and i aim for around 160-170g a day. I eat a lot of meat and dairy.

    Lifterofheavystuff - so your protein macro is set to 40%, which is higher than it needs to be, making your protein goal hard to reach.

    If you set it to 25 or 30% you will be in the the 140-160 gram range psuLemon mentioned above.
  • GlynIrish
    GlynIrish Posts: 84 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    Thanks everyone for the good reply I do find it hard to keep fat down when upping protein but I'm working on it
    Just back after previously losing 60 lbs last year so want to start losing the last 20 now
    MFP has given me 2150 calories a day
    I'm currently eating by macros
    I weigh 214 lbs I'm 5.11 34 years old
    Feel free to add me and check out my diary if there is anything that should be treeked or removed
    psuLemon wrote: »
    Protein is 1.5-2.2g/kg of weight or .8-1g/lb of lbm. You probably need around 140-160g of protein. I am similar stats but 168 and i aim for around 160-170g a day. I eat a lot of meat and dairy.

    Lifterofheavystuff - so your protein macro is set to 40%, which is higher than it needs to be, making your protein goal hard to reach.

    If you set it to 25 or 30% you will be in the the 140-160 gram range psuLemon mentioned above.

    Thanks for that how does 30 cárb 30 protein 40 fat sound or should I swap the 40 for carbs
    I'm new to macros so I'm just learning
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    Thanks everyone for the good reply I do find it hard to keep fat down when upping protein but I'm working on it
    Just back after previously losing 60 lbs last year so want to start losing the last 20 now
    MFP has given me 2150 calories a day
    I'm currently eating by macros
    I weigh 214 lbs I'm 5.11 34 years old
    Feel free to add me and check out my diary if there is anything that should be treeked or removed
    psuLemon wrote: »
    Protein is 1.5-2.2g/kg of weight or .8-1g/lb of lbm. You probably need around 140-160g of protein. I am similar stats but 168 and i aim for around 160-170g a day. I eat a lot of meat and dairy.

    Lifterofheavystuff - so your protein macro is set to 40%, which is higher than it needs to be, making your protein goal hard to reach.

    If you set it to 25 or 30% you will be in the the 140-160 gram range psuLemon mentioned above.

    Thanks for that how does 30 cárb 30 protein 40 fat sound or should I swap the 40 for carbs
    I'm new to macros so I'm just learning

    Carbs and fats should be based on satiety. Hit your protein, get adequate fiber (25g+) and let the others fall out. My carbs are highly restricted but I am running a higher protein Keto diet. I do it for cutting. I maintain well on a higher carb diet.
  • tnh2o
    tnh2o Posts: 161 Member
    @AnnPT77 Sorry, I didn't mean to suggest you use or promote protein powder because you don't do either. I am not much of a meat eater and you gave me some ideas on how to get more protein out of a vegetarian diet without using any supplements. I hope that clarifies things or am I just digging a deeper hole.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,162 Member
    tnh2o wrote: »
    @AnnPT77 Sorry, I didn't mean to suggest you use or promote protein powder because you don't do either. I am not much of a meat eater and you gave me some ideas on how to get more protein out of a vegetarian diet without using any supplements. I hope that clarifies things or am I just digging a deeper hole.

    No worries! I wasn't upset or anything like that by your comment. It's more that I flag-wave sometimes (😉) about it being *possible* to get a decent amount of protein on a vegetarian diet, without *necessarily* using protein supplements per se, if people don't *want* to use them. Since you can see my diary, but others can't, I just wanted to clarify that I haven't been misrepresenting about not using protein powder. 😆

    I have a pretty strong personal bias toward "get nutrients from traditional foods" for myself, but I don't think others need to follow that - not at all.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    tnh2o wrote: »
    @AnnPT77 Sorry, I didn't mean to suggest you use or promote protein powder because you don't do either. I am not much of a meat eater and you gave me some ideas on how to get more protein out of a vegetarian diet without using any supplements. I hope that clarifies things or am I just digging a deeper hole.

    No worries! I wasn't upset or anything like that by your comment. It's more that I flag-wave sometimes (😉) about it being *possible* to get a decent amount of protein on a vegetarian diet, without *necessarily* using protein supplements per se, if people don't *want* to use them. Since you can see my diary, but others can't, I just wanted to clarify that I haven't been misrepresenting about not using protein powder. 😆

    I have a pretty strong personal bias toward "get nutrients from traditional foods" for myself, but I don't think others need to follow that - not at all.

    I am biased to getting my protein in all ways possible. My protein dessert! You have seen it
    .

    78qpkcsz9wxf.jpg
  • jessef593
    jessef593 Posts: 2,272 Member
    I take in
    100g of whey protein per day
    50-100g of animal protein per day
    And 50-100gof egg white protein per day

    Along with proten gained through other sources such as oat milk, grains, nuts.

    It's easy, just gotta plan ahead and spend some $$
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,162 Member
    psuLemon wrote: »
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    tnh2o wrote: »
    @AnnPT77 Sorry, I didn't mean to suggest you use or promote protein powder because you don't do either. I am not much of a meat eater and you gave me some ideas on how to get more protein out of a vegetarian diet without using any supplements. I hope that clarifies things or am I just digging a deeper hole.

    No worries! I wasn't upset or anything like that by your comment. It's more that I flag-wave sometimes (😉) about it being *possible* to get a decent amount of protein on a vegetarian diet, without *necessarily* using protein supplements per se, if people don't *want* to use them. Since you can see my diary, but others can't, I just wanted to clarify that I haven't been misrepresenting about not using protein powder. 😆

    I have a pretty strong personal bias toward "get nutrients from traditional foods" for myself, but I don't think others need to follow that - not at all.

    I am biased to getting my protein in all ways possible. My protein dessert! You have seen it
    .
    (snip delish image, for reply length)

    i have no quarrel with that.

    IMO: Getting the protein (and good overall nutrition generally) is the biggest thing. Getting it enjoyably and satisfyingly is the second thing.

    Everyone enjoys eating in different ways, and that's a wonderful thing - I mean that sincerely.

    I'm not implying special virtue in my personal food choices. There is no virtue in them. They're just personal preferences, about *my* enjoyment.
  • GlynIrish
    GlynIrish Posts: 84 Member
    jessef593 wrote: »
    I take in
    100g of whey protein per day
    50-100g of animal protein per day
    And 50-100gof egg white protein per day

    Along with proten gained through other sources such as oat milk, grains, nuts.

    It's easy, just gotta plan ahead and spend some $$

    Thanks for the tips bud I appreciate it
  • wiigelec
    wiigelec Posts: 503 Member
    edited August 2020
    If you are indeed lifting heavy stuff and interested in gaining lean body mass you may find the following to contain some useful information:

    https://www.andybaker.com/building-a-simple-diet-for-mass/

    Excerpt:

    "Effective Diet is like training……it’s so simple a fool cannot comprehend it, and so brutally hard that a lazy man will refuse to accept it.

    7:00am: 6 Whole Eggs scrambled with onion and peppers + 1/2 cup Oatmeal (uncooked) made with water
    10:00am: 2 Scoops Whey in water + 1 Banana
    1:00pm: 6 oz cooked chicken breast + 1/2 cup rice (uncooked) + 1 cup broccoli
    4:00pm: (Pre-workout): 2 scoops Whey mixed with 1/4 cup Cream of Rice cereal (dry) + 1 Orange
    6:00pm: (Post-workout): 1 scoop Whey mixed with 1 bottle of Gatorade (immediately post workout)
    7:00pm: 6 oz Sirloin (cooked) + 1 red potato + Asparagus
    10:00pm: 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese

    Most guys send me a diet that looks like this when I start working with them as clients:

    Breakfast: Bowl of cereal and a piece of fruit
    Lunch: Sandwich and some pretzels
    Snack: some fruit or almonds
    Dinner: whatever my wife makes

    Of course they also include about 42 different types of supplements they are taking. Throw that s**t out. Spend your money on food if you want to grow."
  • GlynIrish
    GlynIrish Posts: 84 Member
    wiigelec wrote: »
    If you are indeed lifting heavy stuff and interested in gaining lean body mass you may find the following to contain some useful information:

    https://www.andybaker.com/building-a-simple-diet-for-mass/

    Excerpt:

    "Effective Diet is like training……it’s so simple a fool cannot comprehend it, and so brutally hard that a lazy man will refuse to accept it.

    7:00am: 6 Whole Eggs scrambled with onion and peppers + 1/2 cup Oatmeal (uncooked) made with water
    10:00am: 2 Scoops Whey in water + 1 Banana
    1:00pm: 6 oz cooked chicken breast + 1/2 cup rice (uncooked) + 1 cup broccoli
    4:00pm: (Pre-workout): 2 scoops Whey mixed with 1/4 cup Cream of Rice cereal (dry) + 1 Orange
    6:00pm: (Post-workout): 1 scoop Whey mixed with 1 bottle of Gatorade (immediately post workout)
    7:00pm: 6 oz Sirloin (cooked) + 1 red potato + Asparagus
    10:00pm: 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese

    Most guys send me a diet that looks like this when I start working with them as clients:

    Breakfast: Bowl of cereal and a piece of fruit
    Lunch: Sandwich and some pretzels
    Snack: some fruit or almonds
    Dinner: whatever my wife makes

    Of course they also include about 42 different types of supplements they are taking. Throw that s**t out. Spend your money on food if you want to grow."
    wiigelec wrote: »
    If you are indeed lifting heavy stuff and interested in gaining lean body mass you may find the following to contain some useful information:

    https://www.andybaker.com/building-a-simple-diet-for-mass/

    Excerpt:

    "Effective Diet is like training……it’s so simple a fool cannot comprehend it, and so brutally hard that a lazy man will refuse to accept it.

    7:00am: 6 Whole Eggs scrambled with onion and peppers + 1/2 cup Oatmeal (uncooked) made with water
    10:00am: 2 Scoops Whey in water + 1 Banana
    1:00pm: 6 oz cooked chicken breast + 1/2 cup rice (uncooked) + 1 cup broccoli
    4:00pm: (Pre-workout): 2 scoops Whey mixed with 1/4 cup Cream of Rice cereal (dry) + 1 Orange
    6:00pm: (Post-workout): 1 scoop Whey mixed with 1 bottle of Gatorade (immediately post workout)
    7:00pm: 6 oz Sirloin (cooked) + 1 red potato + Asparagus
    10:00pm: 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese

    Most guys send me a diet that looks like this when I start working with them as clients:

    Breakfast: Bowl of cereal and a piece of fruit
    Lunch: Sandwich and some pretzels
    Snack: some fruit or almonds
    Dinner: whatever my wife makes

    Of course they also include about 42 different types of supplements they are taking. Throw that s**t out. Spend your money on food if you want to grow."

    Excellent write up thank you very much it really puts things in perspective properly for me
    My only question is uncooked rice is there a difference between eating it raw and boiled
  • wiigelec
    wiigelec Posts: 503 Member
    uncooked is for measurement purposes if you want to eat it uncooked make sure you have a good relationship with your dentist
  • Theoldguy1
    Theoldguy1 Posts: 2,494 Member
    first, what is your daily overall calorie budget? unless you're a serious bodybuilder, i can't imagine why you'd need to eat 220 grams of protein per day, which would be 880 calories from protein alone.

    US dietary guidelines suggest 10-35% of calories from protein. 880 calories would be a bit less than 30% of a 3,000 calorie a day diet.

    I maintain on a 3,000 calories a day, I lift and walk but have an office job and am far from a serious bodybuilder. FYI, I weigh around 205 at 6'2" and I'm in the 800-900 calories a day from protein range.
  • GlynIrish
    GlynIrish Posts: 84 Member
    wiigelec wrote: »
    uncooked is for measurement purposes if you want to eat it uncooked make sure you have a good relationship with your dentist

    That's what I was thinking lol plus the chances of food poisoning are high eating uncooked rice