We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!
protein intake
s1611
Posts: 6
I have both NrolW and Nrol - Six Basic Moves and v determined to get into weight lifting properly (have dabbled in it in the past). However there is one big problem for me - that of protein intake. I have a history of serotonin-related issues and whether because of this:
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/nutrition/carbohydrate-intake-and-depression-qa.html
or not, I simply can't live on 1g of protein per pound. I do fine on 1g per kg, however almost every source (apart from the USDA, most notably!) excoriates you for attempting to eat less protein. But 1g of protein per pounds in body weight leaves me either restless, anxious and depressed or short-tempered, grouchy, unhappy and both times I just don't have the will to live and can't focus on anything mentally challenging.
So pls stories/ any advice, what's the lowest protein intake I could ever get away with?
I am female, 26, 5ft8 and weigh 57kg ~ 124 pounds, I have around 1 or 2 kilos of body fat, concentrated around my middle, ie lower abs, love handles, hips and bum. I have v little lean muscle, I would like to tone up and my chest and arms are already bony. I would like to gain strength too and muscle.
Many thanks for any tips. I know protein is the saviour for most people, both mentally and physically - for me it's the bane of my life when it comes to my brain.
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/nutrition/carbohydrate-intake-and-depression-qa.html
or not, I simply can't live on 1g of protein per pound. I do fine on 1g per kg, however almost every source (apart from the USDA, most notably!) excoriates you for attempting to eat less protein. But 1g of protein per pounds in body weight leaves me either restless, anxious and depressed or short-tempered, grouchy, unhappy and both times I just don't have the will to live and can't focus on anything mentally challenging.
So pls stories/ any advice, what's the lowest protein intake I could ever get away with?
I am female, 26, 5ft8 and weigh 57kg ~ 124 pounds, I have around 1 or 2 kilos of body fat, concentrated around my middle, ie lower abs, love handles, hips and bum. I have v little lean muscle, I would like to tone up and my chest and arms are already bony. I would like to gain strength too and muscle.
Many thanks for any tips. I know protein is the saviour for most people, both mentally and physically - for me it's the bane of my life when it comes to my brain.
0
Replies
-
Perhaps it's the type of protein? Do you eat primarily plant protein, animal protein, soy product, dairy?
It could be the dairy causing problems, or the red meat, or lack of red meat...0 -
Perhaps it's the type of protein? Do you eat primarily plant protein, animal protein, soy product, dairy?
It could be the dairy causing problems, or the red meat, or lack of red meat...
Due to food insensitivities numbering more than I have fingers and toes to count, I can't eat red meat or dairy. Yet to find a whey protein source that agrees with me either, it's not just lactose I have trouble with but also whey and casein and the protein in red meat (and also the fat content of the red meat).
I mainly eat chicken breast, sometimes shrimp or tuna and there's the protein I get from porridge on top of that.
I am pretty sure it's not the type of protein. 0 -
For protein powders, there are several out there that are plant based and not just soy if whey bothers you. I've used one called pure green protein that gets its protein from pea, rice, spirulina and alfalfa. I can't give much advice about protein intake. I'm still on figuring that out myself and I've struggled with how much is really necessary. I'm having to do two protein shakes a day right now to get over 100g a day.0
-
I am the same age and height as you are, but with an additional 95lbs. I started off drinking whey protein shakes and trying to reach a protein goal of around 130 - 150g per day (1g/lb of body weight would be impossible at my current weight for me), lifting day or not, and had great stamina for workouts. This past month I haven't been having protein shakes as much, and barely reach 100g and find that it has definitely affected my energy and stamina during workouts, and I struggle to complete them, especially the intervals.
I think for you it might be a matter of trial and error - record your protein intake for the day, and also your energy level of each workout, compare and adjust both to see what works?
Also, are you able to eat eggs? I overheard someone at my health food store praise allbumin powder (powdered egg whites) as a better protein supplement than whey for shakes and cooking, it may be worth a shot.0 -
What about the 1g per lb of lean body mass?
That puts me at 150g per day as a 236 lb woman. I'm a pescetarian who rarely eats the fish, so I still find it difficult, but it may be just enough to keep you feeling good?
I notice if I don't make 130+ I can count on being sore for extended days.0 -
What about the 1g per lb of lean body mass?
That puts me at 150g per day as a 236 lb woman. I'm a pescetarian who rarely eats the fish, so I still find it difficult, but it may be just enough to keep you feeling good?
I notice if I don't make 130+ I can count on being sore for extended days.
many thanks.
I have roughly 22% body fat, that makes for a lean body mass of 96pounds if I'm right.
I usually lift early in the day and would always eat more protein earlier in the day (as per the biorhythm diet- http://myrevolution.no/blade/2011/10/25/is-there-an-optimal-ratio-of-carbs-to-protein/) and I don't think my performance is much affected. I'm more worried about losing muscle/ not taking in enough protein to build muscle - onto a frame that is genetically v thin and I'm by nature the skinny type (but with an ugly flabby middle) and it's probably v hard for me to get muscly. Not that I want to get muscly, I just don't want to look weak, want the flab gone and want to function well mentally. Too much protein is the problem in this last respect.0 -
I am the same age and height as you are, but with an additional 95lbs. I started off drinking whey protein shakes and trying to reach a protein goal of around 130 - 150g per day (1g/lb of body weight would be impossible at my current weight for me), lifting day or not, and had great stamina for workouts. This past month I haven't been having protein shakes as much, and barely reach 100g and find that it has definitely affected my energy and stamina during workouts, and I struggle to complete them, especially the intervals.
I think for you it might be a matter of trial and error - record your protein intake for the day, and also your energy level of each workout, compare and adjust both to see what works?
Also, are you able to eat eggs? I overheard someone at my health food store praise allbumin powder (powdered egg whites) as a better protein supplement than whey for shakes and cooking, it may be worth a shot.
thanks!!
as I write above: ' I usually lift early in the day and would always eat more protein earlier in the day (as per the biorhythm diet- http://myrevolution.no/blade/2011/10/25/is-there-an-optimal-ratio-of-carbs-to-protein/) and I don't think my performance is much affected. I'm more worried about losing muscle/ not taking in enough protein to build muscle - onto a frame that is genetically v thin and I'm by nature the skinny type (but with an ugly flabby middle) and it's probably v hard for me to get muscly. Not that I want to get muscly, I just don't want to look weak, want the flab gone and want to function well mentally. Too much protein is the problem in this last respect.'
egg whites would be great, but I have yet to find a supplement that is either easy to mix or generally tastes tolerable. it's usually like rotten eggs, highly unpalatable!0
This discussion has been closed.