protein intake over recommended amount

[bridetobe 88]

I find it easier to up my protein intake than my fats so I find that I consume 2x my recommended amount.

How close to your calculated protein target do you get? Do you have a self-selected fat/calorie target as well?

[gitfiddle]

Well, we can only choose from protein, fat and carbohydrate to get energy. Carbohydrates are quite limited on this way of eating, which leaves protein and fat. The calculated protein amount is only the minimum, so you can go over. I have seen some people double their amount on occasion. Saturated fat is a good source of energy. Each source has benefits.

The fat you will want to avoid is vegetable fat: corn oil, margarine, etc., because it is highly processed and can contain trans fats, which are harmful.

I don't think Dr. Mike ever recommended a fat target, but I haven't read every single one of his books. It's the only variable, so if you're still hungry, fat would be what you would add. It doesn't have the affect on insulin that carbohydrate does.

[bridetobe 88]

Thank you for responding.

I read in the protein power book that iceberg lettuce is unlimited but I ate about 3/4 of a pound and it pushed me over my goal of 50 net carbs max. Its a learning lesson.

Usually I eat more protein when I'm hungry. Like if I've already had eggs then I will have just whites which ups the protein but not fat.

I know I could use more fat but I'm wondering if I stick to the appropriate carb intake if it really matters how much protein vs, fat I eat.

[laughingW]

I found that eating like that made me not lose. The extra protein I mean. I could easily have 2x my requirements. I think my body was extra good at turning the extra protein into glucose and fat - which I then was not turning around and using up. I don't exercise as much as you though.

[bridetobe 88]

I found that eating like that made me not lose. The extra protein I mean. I could easily have 2x my requirements. I think my body was extra good at turning the extra protein into glucose and fat - which I then was not turning around and using up. I don't exercise as much as you though.



So how much do you typically get for protein and fat?? Id hate to not get results.

[bridetobe 88]

I found that eating like that made me not lose. The extra protein I mean. I could easily have 2x my requirements. I think my body was extra good at turning the extra protein into glucose and fat - which I then was not turning around and using up. I don't exercise as much as you though.



Is protein more readily converted into glucose and stored than dietary fat is?

[laughingW]

I think you can try what sounds good to you for a month even and only tweak it if you think tweaking will improve things.

As to your question on protein versus fat and storage - well the level of insulin determines whether fat is going into or out of storage.


Just hearing you talk about all that exercise makes me think you are not insulin resistant so never mind.
I didn't mean to scare you - my experience is about me and my damaged metabolism.

You know how both carbs and protein, affect insulin when you eat? In my case I was/am insulin resistant, so when insulin goes up when I eat, it goes down very slowly. And fat coming out of storage doesn't happen until insulin goes all the way down.
Eating a lot of protein - well that protein has to be handled somehow and my body was slow at handling it.

Where when I eat fat and keep insulin very low, then the level of insulin allows fat to come out of storage instead of going into storage. Fat doesn't affect insulin nearly as much as protein and carb.

[Karole]

Somebody correct me if I am wrong but didn't Dr. Atkins recommend higher fat in the diet when folks stalled on a regular low carb diet? It seems like I read that somewhere anyway.

Bride--you don't really have a whole lot of weight to lose and it always seems those are the hardest to get rid of. Not fair is it !! I am down to my last few pounds but they are really slow going too. Of course I am a lot older than you are and that sure doesn't help either.

Also what I understand about protein , carbs, and fat: to many carbs causes insulin and fat storage, a large amount of protein can produce insulin and fat storage , but dietary fat is neutral and doen't raise insulin at all and does not cause your body to store fat. That said, since you are so very close to your ideal weight I think you would not be able to really load up on calories. As I said before , if I have given any info contrary to the Eades please someone jump in here and set me straight, I don't mind a bit.

[bridetobe 88]

Yes I understand the role of carbohydrates and their effect on blood sugar and resultingly insulin, however, I did not realize that protein could have a similar effect in excess while fat is completely neutral. From this perspective it seems that fat would be the ideal choice to meet one's calorie needs as opposed to more protein (given protein is adequate levels already).

[gitfiddle]

... however, I did not realize that protein could have a similar effect in excess while fat is completely neutral...Protein is processed more slowly, the way I understand it, and of course does not have the same effect as carbohydrates. Fat is neutral and eating fat allows your cells to release stored fat. I can't say how much fat, however, but I feel comfortable using extra fat to avoid hunger.

[Benay]

The Eades and Atkins seem to have a different approach to plateaus. In this blog http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/weight-loss/low-carb-and-calories-2/ Dr Mike talks about eating too much fat (cheese and nuts for example) because they increase calorie intake which creates a stall. In Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution, he talks about a "Fat Fast" (page 272 in paperback edition) to break a stall for metabolically resistant people.

I find it all very confusing and vascillate between one idea and the other. I guess it all depends upon how our own bodies react. For me, I have to watch calories in addition to carbs as I am one of those people who go for quantity. I do not "naturally" eat fewer calories on a low carb diet as Dr Mike suggests. Not only do I need to feel full I need to feel satisfied as well. Some days I never feel satisfied, some days I never feel full. Some wonderful days I feel both. Protein creates a feeling of fullness for me while fat gives food flavor. Problem is most of the proteins I like are also high in fat so I eat too many calories just eating proteins. So I don't lose. Just lucky I guess. In a time of famine I will probably live a lot longer than a lot of other people.

[Driven]

To answer the question about whether protein is more easily converted to glucose... yes. The body has a need (actually a pretty small need, but still a need) for glucose. So, if there is not enough carbs coming in, it can make glucose from protein via a process known as 'gluconeogenisis'... aka - the creation of new glucose.

I have found that every body is different, so you may have to play around with your ratios and the total amount of foods that are consumed. Dr. Atkins did recommend increasing the fat to overcome a stall, but I believe that in PPLP, Dr. Mike advises cutting back a little on fat?

[gitfiddle]

In a time of famine I will probably live a lot longer than a lot of other people.Same here! I squeeze out every possible nutrient. :rolleyes:



I have found that every body is different, so you may have to play around with your ratios and the total amount of foods that are consumed.Yes, the general advice works on most bodies, but sooner or later we all want to fine-tune.