Question:
Is it possible to take in too much protein?

I'm able to get in well over 100 grams of protein via protein shakes daily (love the Nectars) which leaves more room for vegis and fiber in my stomach. I'm enjoying eating this way but find that by days end, I've taken in about 125 grams of protein via liquid shakes. Is this safe to do long-term? Do we need to be concerned about excess protein?    — Vicki S. (posted on November 9, 2004)

November 9, 2004
I couln't imagine getting in too much protein. My nephews are wrestlers and workout buffs, they get in 300 gm protein most days, thats with body/muscle building, I once heard we should be getting in between 80 to 100 daily, for some of us it is hard to hit that. But I know you shouldn't be just drinking the shakes, you should be trying to get the biggest portion of your protein from your foods, then supplement. I will probably get bashed for that. Oh well. I drink at least one shake a day also, and average over 80 grams protein most days. just don't let it all come from shakes alone. Good luck and congrats on your loss. Patricia 9-3-03 rny 314/153 past goal/loving it
   — pateblkbrn

November 9, 2004
the only problem i find with this is the calories. you could put on weight with the high calories in all those shakes.
   — sparklemoon

November 9, 2004
This site has an interesting calculator (for normies, of course, but a place to start). Whey Protein Institute's Daily Protein Calculator Address:http://www.wheyoflife.org/facts/calculator.cfm BTW, my beloved Chocolate Whey Stack has 23 grams of protein for 130 calories, so my usual four shakes/day comes out to 520 calories. I mix it up with water and some SF DaVinci syrup and lotsa ice and really enjoy it. Some folks say it is expensive but I pay about $.40/serving plus about $.30 for the syrup -- $.70 per meal sounds good to me. Oh, and I get about 100 grams of protein from other sources (eggs, cheese, meat). And to answer the OP's question, I personally think your intake is fine and could be increased, JMNSHO. Nina in Maine (Open RNY 2/02)
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 10, 2004
As with any food type, it is possible to get too much. Remember that you can use only so much food (calories). What you don't use gets stored as fat. That's a biological fact. 125 grams of protein is 500 calories. If you are eating reasonable amounts of food in addition to the shakes, you could be taking in more calories than you use. If you are not eating reasonable amounts of food in addition to the shakes you probably are not getting balanced nutrition (shakes DO NOT have everything you need). Also, metabolizing protein is harder on your kidneys than metabolizing other types of food is, so you culd be overtaxing your kidneys for no benefit. It's unlikely that you need 125 grams of protein a day, much less 125 grams of supplemental protein. I'm not a medical professional, but I wouldn't see this as healthy. Also, it sounds like you're drinking the shakes as a treat as opposed to satisfying your nutritive needs. For me, that would be a slippery slope. 500 calories a day of treats (whether they're "healthy" calories or empty ones) is a bad habit to get into. If I were you, I'd check with a medical professional (preferably a registered dietitian) about this practice. I see no benefit, and potential problems.
   — Vespa R.

November 10, 2004
I don't think 125 grams of protein is all that much -- I'm sure I ingest more than that, between shakes and food, and have since my WLS in May '02. Hasn't done me any harm so far, in fact, probably has contributed to my newfound ability to maintain my weight at a good number. :-) <P>With predigested whey protein shakes, you're not taxing your kidneys in the same way you would if you got too much protein (however much "too much" is) entirely from protein *food* (*that* much protein, coming from food, might overly tax the kidneys in the long run, I suppose). That's one reason I still use shakes, it's good nutrition for my malabsorbing self without being hard on my kidneys.<P>Personally, I see no downside to doing what you're doing, and I believe Michelle Curran (vitalady) eats similarly to the way you describe. She's still at goal at ten *years* post-op, so I'd say you're in some pretty danged fine company there. It'd be one thing if you were pounding down so many protein grams a day that it caused weight gain, but at this level . . . you know best, of course . . . if you're not gaining, and you're happy, it's all good, because you're getting real nutrition from those shakes, they're not empty calories at all.
   — Suzy C.

November 10, 2004
Too much protein can be hard on the kidneys if you have ever had any problems with them. I have one functioning kidney and my kidney doc did tell me to avoid going crazy with more then I needed for wieght loss, which for me was 60-70 grams a day. Wendy
   — Wendy H.

November 10, 2004
Suzy, you make me blush. I do 180g protein. It's partially pre-digested so my kidneys don't have to work as hard. Regular labs will show your protein levels and keep an eye on kidney function. I am utterly convinced I would not be holding my wt loss at this point without my protein shakes. I have not got a clue what I take in protein food, because like you, I'd rather spend my space on veggies and fun stuff! I do eat meat, but um, why?
   — vitalady