Too much animal protein / dairy in my diet??

People love to push their "pet" dietary topic. I firmly believe that what works for one person may not work for another...only you can judge how you feel with the way you are eating, and if all your indicators are good that is a good sign you are doing something right!

As for dairy, there is a lot of research out there that lead me to avoid it for the most part. I used to drink a lot of skim milk and yogurt but I've determined FOR ME that dairy is not great. Our modern system make the whole process of dairy quite unlike what is used to be. The doctor whose advice I find to be the best/most balanced (Dr. Walter Willet of Harvard Nutrition school) has presented plenty of evidence for me. He also says that a serving or two a day is not going to hurt you too much. (I do love cheese!).

I am not sure how much animal protein you are eating, but there are plenty of people that feel their best on a high protein diet, it's just important that you are also getting lots of good carbs in through fruit and vegetable sources. And that the sources of your animal protein are good (hopefully organic, grass fed beef, etc.).

And I hope she congratulated you on your 30# loss! Awesome!!!!!

So I'd say if you feel good, are eating lots of fruits and veggies in addition to your animal protein, and are eating high quality foods and feel good, keep doing what you are doing! You can always experiment with your body and see how you feel tweaking you diet, no one says you have to do it forever.

I think instead of telling you to eat less animal proteins and milk, she should have told you to eat more calcium. So ask your doctor about adding a calcium supplement.

I think instead of telling you to eat less animal proteins and milk, she should have told you to eat more calcium. So ask your doctor about adding a calcium supplement.

Great Answer! I agree.... talk to your Dr about Calcium Supplements!!

As a person having been to the ER 4 times over 8 years passing kidney stones, starting at age 31, I can testify to the truth of what you have been told. The stones form due to acidity and I was told to limit my protein to less than 15% and my sodium to less than 1500 mg. I have done both for the past 2 years, and the stones I had remaining to pass dropped from 7, to 2. So not only were the numbers dropping, I was not creating new ones! To accomplish this, I switched to eating vegan 1-1/2 years ago because it was almost impossible to limit protein to that amount when eating meat/dairy. Dairy I cut because of the sodium, saturated fat, and cholesterol. I think it is good advice for you to abstain from meat/dairy just three days a week. It is excellent for your body and health.

Is she a nutritionist at best? Or a dietician next best? If so listen to her. If not, nod politely and ignore her BUT don't ignore your question. Seek out a qualitifed nutritionist for a consult. You've worked this hard to get your body in tip-top shape. To keep it there you want to fuel it properly and know that you are.

Some people are sensitive to acidity and some are not, so for some people that change in diet is necessary, and for others, high-protein diets present no issues. It is no different than some people having to eat gluten-free due to sensitivity. It is kind of discouraging to hear a "health professional" trying to push that dietary change on you when you display no symptoms that indicate the change is needed.

I think it's wonderful to hear that a doctor actually made this suggestion. usually MDs will push a pill or offer a supplement and never consider diet or nutrition. what she suggested is factual: too much animal protein can rob your body of calcium and diminish your alkaline state. supplements aren't the answer because you will still not absorb enough of the mineral to offset your deficit. it's healthy to be skeptic but just as healthy to have an open mind to a new paradigm. I've been doing research on this topic for months and everything I've learned is supported in what your doctor told you. look up some of this stuff:

the documentary 'Forks Over Knives'
the documentary 'Food Matters'
Dr. Neal Barnard.
Rockin' Wellness (raw foods)

if you send me your email address I'll be happy to send you more info...but yes, keep your mind and heart open to this kind of change. your Dr is steering you in the direction of optimum health!

I haven't read all the comments, but I think she is on to something. Take a chance to watch the documentary "Knives Over Forks". If you have Netflix, it is available to play instantly. The scientific studies in there indicate she is 100% correct. I have been eating all plant based foods since I saw it..... and man do I feel great!!!! Also, I have been able to meet all my protein and calcium requirements on MFP. I would seriously investigate further on this subject. Good luck!

You don't want cholesterol that's too low. Cholesterol is very, very important in the body. I'd be trying to get that number up (doctors only know what the statin salesmen tell them). There is no connection with saturated fat and cholesterol and no connection with cholesterol and heart disease. Therefore saturated fat doesn't cause heart disease. The body makes much, much more cholesterol than we eat.

Do not listen to her. We became human eating animal protein. We became an amazing species eating animal meat. We are made of meat, we eat meat. It's complete essential amino acids (plants and grains do not have this. I would have to eat 4 bowls of oatmeal to get the protein from 4oz of meat and it isn't even complete protein).

Google Cholesterol Myths and start reading. There are a number of books you can get, too, that breakdown the studies done over the years (on populations and the statin drug trials - what we're told and the actual evidence are not the same) and how cholesterol and saturated fat came to be "evil". Neither are. In fact the excess carbs that don't get used immediately after we eat them get converted to saturated fat and stored. One of my Favorites is called The Great Cholesterol Con by Malcolm Kendrick.

You just keep doing what you're doing. You need the protein to protect your muscles from the stresses of exercise. There's a fine line between training hard and over training.

I've been eating mostly protein and fat for almost a year and I feel amazing, my energy is sky high, and I am now 109.4lbs. I haven't seen this number since long before puberty and I'm 41yrs. I am maintaining without counting calories, logging foods, doing tons of "chronic cardio" or portion control. I have a flat belly for the first time in my life.

ONE OTHER BOOK: THE VEGETARIAN MYTH

Americans as a whole eat more animal protein than they need... But it isn't easy to go Vegan, either. My cholesterol is the same as yours, 114, down from 135. But my HDL is 75, which is good. Here is what I found works for me:
I eat "Vegan" more days than not... this is partially driven by my cholesterol, and partially driven by the fact that I am trying to lose weight-
I eat "vegan" at least 2 meals a day. I find that I cannot go completely vegan, or I get weak. I tried- and sometimes I will go a week without eating meat or animal products, but eventually, it catches up with me. A friend of mine is completely vegan, BUT (she is a dance and yoga instructor) when she has tons of classes, or competitions, even she ends up eating red meat, because your body just hits bottom. However, she eats meat once every two months, maybe.
I guess ,bottom line, do what makes you feel good and healthy. If excluding some meat from your diet helps, go for it! Or you can just eat half the meat you would normally eat- Good luck!

I am a huge fan of eating a flex-atrian diet. Where I eat less meat and daily products, I eat my daily requirement and thats it! I acquire protein through other sources than animal. Thats just me! Its cheaper groceries too.

I am a huge fan of eating a flex-atrian diet. Where I eat less meat and daily products, I eat my daily requirement and thats it! I acquire protein through other sources than animal. Thats just me! Its cheaper groceries too.

me too. Plants are cheaper. For me, meat is a treat. I eat it once in 2weeks. Sometimes once a month. And it will be a juicy chicken breast.