Why so much protein?

[dabears8273]

If someone weighs 200 pounds isn't eating that many grams of protein in a day way overkill? It seems like 140 or so would be totally sufficient. Maybe I am way off base here. What are your thoughts?

[qksc2]

Im curious as to why you would pick 140 grams?

[WonderPug]

It probably is, but 160 is more towards the upper limit of what research implies might be optimal for those lean individuals of ~200 pounds who are engaging in progressive, intensive resistance training.

[dabears8273]

It probably is, but 160 is more towards the upper limit of what research implies might be optimal for those lean individuals of ~200 pounds who are engaging in progressive, intensive resistance training.

160 seems reasonable. I read lots of diet plans on here and lots of people are eating 1.5 or 2 times their weight in grams of protein and it seems crazy to me.

[ForrestFitness1]

You have to calculate the macros based on your caloric intake otherwise these numbers mean nothing.

[dabears8273]

Im curious as to why you would pick 140 grams?

There wasn't any science behind that number. I just took 70% of my weight of around 200 lbs and thought that would be sufficient.

[smallkoreankid]

I guess people use the 1 gram per body weight rule just for the sake of convenience as well as the "rather be over the requirements rather than under the requirements" mentality.

[WonderPug]

You have to calculate the macros based on your caloric intake otherwise these numbers mean nothing.

Incorrect.

One would determine the level of protein and fat that meets sufficiency, then compose remaining calories from whatever mix of carbs and additional fat and protein they prefer.

[dabears8273]

Incorrect.

One would determine the level of protein and fat that meets sufficiency, then compose remaining calories from whatever mix of carbs and additional fat and protein they prefer.

I know lots of people who obsess over their macros, some even to the point of measuring and weighing every single item that they eat. To me it seems that using basic common sense and eating a variety of foods is better than worrying about exactly how much fat/carbs/protein you take in a day.

[ArchangelEST]

I know lots of people who obsess over their macros, some even to the point of measuring and weighing every single item that they eat. To me it seems that using basic common sense and eating a variety of foods is better than worrying about exactly how much fat/carbs/protein you take in a day.

Not sure that would work right off the bat...




Otherwise I agree - just may take a little effort at first to get some of the important information into their heads that they can then use to construct their own personal menu suitable for their goals.

[BayerZ28]

I'm 190 so I aim for 170g. Only side effect of I've noticed of a high protein diet is I'm in the bathroom 3-4 times a day. Started supplementing fiber to balance it out. Working so far.

And the reason I log everything I eat (Not obsessively) is so I know where my macros are. More accurate and easier than guessing. I guesstimate my serving sizes and have thought about measuring stuff so I know how much I consume. I've been eating the exact same thing for over a month now, every day, so I don't need to log every day now. Every time I change something I log it to dial it back in.

[qksc2]

I'm 190 so I aim for 170g. Only side effect of I've noticed of a high protein diet is I'm in the bathroom 3-4 times a day. Started supplementing fiber to balance it out. Working so far.

And the reason I log everything I eat (Not obsessively) is so I know where my macros are. More accurate and easier than guessing. I guesstimate my serving sizes and have thought about measuring stuff so I know how much I consume. I've been eating the exact same thing for over a month now, every day, so I don't need to log every day now. Every time I change something I log it to dial it back in.

Why would you supplement fiber? Eat some greens...

[Simmo0508]

When you're consuming a higher amount of overall calories, let's say 5000+, it's virtually impossible to not get a somewhat "high" amount of protein in the process. Unless you just eat carb source after carb source meal after meal.

So it's not that you're aiming high in the first place, but that macro total just happens to rise and rise once you get all those meals in.

Nothing wrong with going higher than recommended amounts. Remember that a lot of recommended amounts are for maintenance, not growth. Then once one trials and errors, quite often one will want to increase in order to see continual progress.

Carb intake during a bulk for example is a lot more important imo, but that doesn't mean protein and fat should be approached cautiously. Just ****in eat that **** and grow. Bodybuilding is not about limitations and reaching "minimums".

[WonderPug]

Remember that a lot of recommended amounts are for maintenance, not growth.

This is, of course, not true.

[Simmo0508]

This is, of course, not true.

Agree to disagree.

[Chad31275]

Agree to disagree.

So are you saying that for me to grow i need to consume more than 1gram/bodyweight of protein recommended? And if i only consume the 1gram/bodyweight i will only "maintain" the little muscle i have??? I think Pug is right...

[ErikTheElectric]

All you need.

1g/ lb of lean mass.

Some people can get away with more or less. Every individual is gonna have different needs.

[Simmo0508]

So are you saying that for me to grow i need to consume more than 1gram/bodyweight of protein recommended? And if i only consume the 1gram/bodyweight i will only "maintain" the little muscle i have??? I think Pug is right...

No, for you to grow you need to consume more total calories in general to put you in a surplus. How you achieve that is personal preference.

However i was commenting on the thought process of just hitting "minimums" and being scared to go higher just because someone else or an article said not to, without having any input or opinion of your own. Being a man and doing what you decide to do, being independent.

If you're increasing total intake, obviously one (or more) of your original macro targets is going to have to jump a bit higher.