Protien....

I have been wondering something.  I know normally a person wouldn't eat that much protein, but if you need to lose weight some doctors say to eat more protien and less carbs.   One doctor told me about 80 grams of protein daily, another doctor had me on like 150 grams a day.  Then I remembered one of Donna's posts a while back, who's doctor said a normal woman usually eats only 40 grams a day.  Which I actually think fits the bill.  I always hear of kidney issues, liver issues, etc.  That so much protien is bad for you and can cause a lot of harm.  I'm wondering where the line is that a person might be pushing it?  It flusters me that so many doctors say so many different things when this is our health, it should be an easy question.  I would think!

I know a lot of you live off of protein and probably believe that is the way to go.  But I still can't help wonder if so much is really safe. My whey protein has 24g in a single serving.  Just a few of those combined with your daily intake of protein, add a protein bar and it really starts adding up! 

I have too many health issues to be worrying about kidney stones, etc.  I want to make sure I'm eating a healthy amount without worrying I'm pushing it.  I'm sure this is going to be a diverse topic, but any comments? 

In the fitness world, sports nutritionists and trainers believe .8-1g per desired bodyweight is necessary.  Basically, as strength training "tears" the muscle fibers, protein is needed to build it back.  Protein is also how body builders and weight lifters stay "cut".  By and large, most live by this rule in their diet.  You do not see high numbers of kidney stones. I average 147g of protein daily and don't currently have a problem plus my weight loss is consistent at 2-4lbs/week.  All I really know is that eating 50-60g of protein and I couldn't lose a friggin' ounce.   I think the concept of high protein is misunderstood, much like Atkins (which I'm not doing) is misunderstood by the masses and overreported by those who blindly support a higher carb diet for weight loss.

Hey Holly, When I first embarked on my journey I modeled a lot of my behavior and eating habits after a post op WLS person.  I know, weird, but it worked for me.  I was probably consuming 120-130 grams of protein a day.  On a subsequent visit to my doc i told him proudly that I was consuming that much and he laughed a little and told me about the 40 grams.  Post op WLS people have such issues with malabsorption that they have to up their protein because only a portion of that gets through.  Also, the body is not designed to process more than 30 grams of protein at one time.  If you are consuming a protein drink with around 30 grams of protein, in addition to what you are eating, I would think that would be enough, honestly.  Don't go nuts on the protein unless you are really exercising heavily and looking to build muscle.  If you are doing moderate exercise, keeping it around 80-100 grams a day would definitely keep the weight loss moving.  As you have already discovered, protein definitely keeps you full longer and whole foods that are protein based are also a good choice in any program. Donna

I'm doing about a 100-120 g daily, and lots of it is soy and plant protein, which does not assimilate as well as animal-source protein.  Remember, protein is in milk, pasta, breads, too! It does all add up. The standard for most grown women is about 60 g daily, and most RD's will recommend more as well, like Donna says, if you are more physically active.  Kidney stones happen in certain people, I thought due to not drinking enough water, or eating enough leafy greens, veggies of any kind really.  There is more than one way to skin a cat, here. If you can get by on less protein and replace it by eating more veggies, so be it.  The American Heart Association, Dr. Dean Ornish and many others suggest a very low protein diet, especially low in animal proteins. Those guys are not exactly retards last time I checked! I find that eating a higher level really does keep my daytime hunger at a more manageable level. I've always needed a bit more, I work out pretty hard!

Having done WLS, I have a nutritionist that I have to check in with every two months.  My "nut" says between 60-80 grams of protein a day is more than enough for a healthy level.  More than that is simply unnecessary, not debilitating; More would be fine to eat, but the focus is the minimum of 60 grams.

Thanks everyone!  Your right Necee, they are not retards, that is why it bothers me so bad.  I do know that body builders or weight trainers eat more protein, but I was talking about like for Joe Blow next door that doesn't do anything or a minimum amount of exercising.  Like me! :D  Doctors put us on these high calorie diets and know we are not working out much.   60-80g a day is more than I  normally eat anyways, so maybe I'll attempt that amount.  The bariatric doctor that I went too made me realize I was only eating about 25-30g a day.  Any more than that I really had to work at it.  I'm such a carb addict, it made me realize how much carbs I eat in replace of protein.  I stop though and wow do I have withdrawals!  My sugar level goes wacko, start shaking, pounding heart, the works.  Yes, I've had my levels checked for diabetes.  I'm close, but not there yet.  He did say I have insulin resistance.  Anyway, I've been thinking about just trying to increase my protein and veggies.  It might just be that simple for me since I don't seem to eat much of either.   Thanks for the comments! :)