Nutrition Goals

moonport
moonport Posts: 97 Member
edited September 20 in Health and Weight Loss
I've easily been staying within my calorie goals, but I keep going over on my sodium and carbs. Is this a really bad thing?

Replies

  • Mindful_Trent
    Mindful_Trent Posts: 3,954 Member
    See this thread where people were talking about sodium:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/68295-sugar-and-sodium

    Regarding carbs, from what I've seen/heard it's better to go over on protein than it is on carbs. Hopefully some other people will have more specific answers as to why that is. It probably also depends on what kind of carbs you are getting - are they mostly coming from fruits/vegetables/whole-grains, or from processed foods? If it's the latter then you'll definitely want to try and cut back.
  • racermom
    racermom Posts: 36
    I am having a similar problem, but going over on protein........any suggestions. I am a new runner, converted from strong walker and hope that the overage is helping my muscles? Any tips or comments?
  • Arienna
    Arienna Posts: 913
    I am having a similar problem, but going over on protein........any suggestions. I am a new runner, converted from strong walker and hope that the overage is helping my muscles? Any tips or comments?

    I honestly don't worry about my protein all that much. If you are working out you need more protein anyway. Is your excess protein coming from snacks? If so, just make sure and try to eat them after workouts because your body needs protein after exercise to help build and repair muscles. If you're eating too much at meals, then try reducing your serving size of meat and eating more veggies. I keep my calories in check, and that pretty much keeps everything else in check. Sometimes sodium comes close if I ate a lean cuisine or something to that effect, but if my protein is over I don't really dwell on it much.
  • Arienna
    Arienna Posts: 913
    Here is something that someone in my support group on here, 'Visualize This', posted about a protein concern they had, hope it helps! And thank you to rkorduner!!!

    From an article on protein:

    "This is the crucial question for people on diets which are higher in protein than usual, as low-carb diets tend to be. In a review of the research, the National Academy of Sciences reported that the only known danger from high protein diets is for individuals with kidney disease. After careful study, they recommend that 10 percent to 35 percent of daily calories come from protein. They point out that increased protein could be helpful in treating obesity. There is also accumulating evidence that extra protein may help prevent osteoporosis.

    Extra protein can be broken down into glucose in a process called gluconeogenesis. On low carb diets, this happens continually. One benefit of obtaining glucose from protein is that it is absorbed into the bloodstream very slowly, so it doesn’t cause a rapid blood sugar increase."

    So basically extra protein in your diet is alright. NOT enough causes your body to break down the muscle to use that instead.

    Another article talked mostly about cutting carbs, and the protein being 50 - 75 % of your daily intake. It's okay to sometimes go over.... even 21 grams is not THAT much in hindsight. Just comparative to what you eat for the rest of your diet. So if instead of eating that few hundred extra carbs I eat it in protein once in a while that is okay. As long as it doesnt go over more than 30 percent of your daily needs. At least that's what I can see. It's hard to find a good article as most of them are addressing diets like atkins.
  • racermom
    racermom Posts: 36
    :smile: Thank you everyone! Another reason I LOVE this site! I appreciate the information very much! As long as I stay within my caloric goals, I am not going to beat myself up over it. Thank you again and keep up the good work!
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