Live Strong says I eat too much protein?

[saphirasilverwings]

I always thought I had to worry about getting enough protein, not the other way around. But based on my suggested calorie intake, I have been eating up to two or three times more protein than recommended.

Is this a bad thing or is it okay? It's not something I ever thought about. Most of my protein comes from grains, beans, and dairy, so it's not like I'm eating steak for every meal. Does anyone know what to make of this? I've read about some negative effects of too much protein, but as far as I know I'm not experiencing any of them. I'm not eating any more protein than I have through my entire life, and this happens even when i don't try at all to get protein.

I know that the ultimate thing to do is ask my doctor, but I just thought I'd see if anyone here happened to be knowledgeable on the subject.

Updates

+1 y

I plan to ask next time I go, but I'm hoping it's not so urgent that I need to make an appointment just for this.

Updates

+1 y

Alright, thank you everyone! I will probably not stress about it too much for now.

[MyNameIsJonas]

You really should give your weight and protien intake so that we could give you an accurate answer.

If you are excercise regularly then you should have a gram of protien per pound.

If you weigh 120lbs = 120grams. Witch is not a lot broken up into one day. If you do not excersise regularly then you should be intaking about .8 of a gram per pound.

The type of protien is a factor. Certain protiens are not considered complete protien because they do not contain all type's of amino acids. Some take longer to digest then other's.This is because of amino acid's. Amino acid is naturally found in protien rich food and other food's (meat and fish) and helps you break down and absorb protein. Although beans and nuts are not rich in amino acid's and therefore take longer and are not considered complete protien. You have to have certain juice's or veggtable juice or some other type of meat/fish that contians amino acids.

[saphirasilverwings]

Yeah, I definitely do not even eat 1 gram per pound.

[MyNameIsJonas]

Then you are not eatting too much protein.

[martyfellow]

Too mcuh protein can irritae your liver, as well as your stomach. Probably this transaltes into too many calories as well.

Don't ignore this just because you 're not feeling any sumptoms. It's not like youre' being poisoned, but it does make it hard to lose weight if that's the issue, which it usually is.

Try cutting down on the protein, replace it with fruit for a while, and see if you don't generally feel better and have more energy even on less calories.

[saphirasilverwings]

I do feel low on enegy sometimes. But like I said, it doesn't SEEM like I'm eating tons of protein. So I'm a little nervous about cutting back. I also can be iron deficient though. But maybe I should just try. Thanks for your answer!

[martyfellow]

Iron deficiency doesn't require a lot of protein. Take iron supplements instead.

[saphirasilverwings]

I'm aware of that. However, some foods that have protein also have iron. But I was thinking my energy level could be affected by that as well.

[martyfellow]

If you're not working out a lot and you're small, you need really very little protein in your diet.

[Hidden_P]

Protein isn't too much to worry about. If you're eating too much fats and carbs that's bad.

Protein is vital for your muscles, and it's also the main food for if you're on a diet!

Another thing, humans are carniverous (well...we're omnivores) and we NEED meat. It's why vegetarians and vegans can get ill unless they take supplements.

So no, don't freak out lol. I eat a lot more protein than most people as well but it's never done me damage. If you were eating like 6 steaks a day, I'd be more worried about your over-eating than your protein intake.

[Hidden_P]

Also, it's important for a girl to keep the proteins and iron's and everything up for that joyous time once a month... I don't think you're eating too much protein.

[LaPetiteMimi]

Personally I'd say don't worry about it! As you say it's not like you're stuffing your face with steak, yoghurts and so on... you seem to have a healthy diet! Seriously, forget the "suggested" calorie intake!

If you really are worried about your health try drinking more water, get more fruit into your diet if you don't already and get some sport into your daily routine! Go see your doc too if you wanna! :)

[saphirasilverwings]

Thanks! Great answer!

[kheserthorpe]

There's a big range of opinion on how much protein is 'enough' 'ideal' or useable by the body.

I suspect your protein intake is nothing compared to what a lot of guys trying to bulk are taking all the time.

[saphirasilverwings]

Okay. See, that's what I was thinking. I don't even eat meat or fish every day. I'll have yogurt for breakfast, cheese for lunch, beans for dinner- that hardly seems excessive to me.

[Caustic_Fox]

if your not eating 1gram per pound of bodyweight you are NOT eating to much protein. say that a few times so it sinks in

thats not to say that 1g per lb is bad for you, its just that taking in more than 1g per lb isn't needed for people who aren't athletes or train hard

also if for some reason you did take in more than you needed youd p*ss it out

[WoIIie]

If you feel fine, then you're fine. Online articles do a good job at scaring their readers.

Keep doing what you love. If you like that extra protein there is no sense in stopping.

[cavmanier]

The thing I worry about from too much protein is bone loss. Make sure you get your calcium and vit D.

[funkadelic5]

As long as you drink lots of water there shouldn't be any problems.

[Anonymous]

Just drink lots of water. To much protein can make you gain weight because it breaks down a lot slower than carbs do.

[Anonymous]

who is "Live Strong"?

[saphirasilverwings]

It's a health and fitness website... not sure if there's more to it than that, but they have a calorie/ diet calculator thing. I am trying to lose a few pounds so I started using it.

[Opinion Owner]

I see, the website doesn't have your blood work. Your body may require more iron than the average body. Your right about asking the doctor. I wouldn't go by the website because your body is way more complex than that. It NEEDS your blood work to know the truth.

[saphirasilverwings]

Okay, thanks!

[Opinion Owner]

Np, =)