What happens if you eat no protein at all?

[rudolph]

I mean it's possible, you could run only on carbohydrates.
What happens if you run on coke and sweets which contain no protein at all and you do this for months? Could you die from this? I mean wouldn't you burn all your muscles? And what about the heart doesn't it also need protein?

[BigPappaSmurf]

Protein is essential for maintaining homeostasis, not just for maintaining anabolism. You may survive for a while, but health problems will follow. You know those bloated African children? That's one side-effect of lack of protein.

[rudolph]

This concerns me.
What if I do not get enough protein during my fat loss diet?
I don't eat a lot of meat. I eat curd cheese but that's not high quality protein. And besides this I eat pasta which also doesn't contain much protein. I also eat oats in the morning. But I'm not taking any protein powder. What if I only get 60gr proteins a day? Is this dangerous?

[BigPappaSmurf]

This concerns me.
What if I do not get enough protein during my fat loss diet?
I don't eat a lot of meat. I eat curd cheese but that's not high quality protein. And besides this I eat pasta which also doesn't contain much protein. I also eat oats in the morning. But I'm not taking any protein powder. What if I only get 60gr proteins a day? Is this dangerous?

Not dangerous, just not enough to promote an anabolic environment. If you don't consume enough protein while cutting, the ratio of muscle to fat lost will be much greater, and you won't retain as much muscle. Post your diet.

[rudolph]

I have no real diet. Right now I'm simply eating under maintenance, that's all.
I think I'm not disciplined enough to follow a strict diet. I have a basic frame which consists of my breakfast which is: 100gr oats, 200-250gr curd cheese mixed in water. And for lunch I usually eat pasta. And in the evening I eat different things depending on what's available. I also don't count calories. I use my hunger as guide. I know that this isn't optimal but I am not the kind of person which counts calories and weighs everything. This doesn't work for me.

[plik]

I think 60 grams of protein is low, but then again I don't know how much you currently weigh.

I'm not trying to disagree with BigPappaSmurf; but in my personal experience, I've been able to gain lean muscle mass and burn stored body fat while only having about 100 grams of protein a day. Keep in mind, I also have a very low-calorie diet. Now, I weigh 235 lbs and I lift 5 days a week and do cardio 6 days a week, and the way I eat has worked really well for me, but everyone is different.

[Sheenizzle]

Without any, you'd wind up with protein energy malnutrition
Ever see the pictures of kids in 3rd world countries going hungry, where their stomachs are bloated? That's PEM
Pretty hard to get it if you're above the poverty line though; even a meager amount of protein is enough to avoid it.

You'll probably be ok, but protein isn't something to avoid. And even in a fat loss diet, you shouldn't starve yourself.

[SolidSnake84]

just so you know, if youre on a fat loss diet, you shouldnt be cutting down proteins. if anything, they should remain the highest macronutrient during a cut/fatloss. cut back on the carbs and fats more so.

if you dont like counting cals and all that crap, instead aim to hit a certain number of protein grams during the day, namely your bodyweight. then it's only one number to keep track of.

[RADIRON]

Protein, while not needed in excess by those who fear muscle growth, is THE most important macro. Yes, carbs are for energy, and we need fats as well, but without protein for an extended period of time, ALL humans would DIE. Even the word protein comes from the Greek for "primary" or "first in importance". Protein is needed for proper bodily function and of course growth and/or repair.

The bigger question seems to be "can I not eat a lot of protein or no traditional sources of protein, ie. chicken, fish, beef, powders, and still workout? Yes, you could, be you'd essentially see no positive changes. In fact, you may actually shrink substantially in muscle size, while at the same time gaining bodyfat. Of course, all of this is dependent on the individual.

Look, no one is forcing anyone to eat protein sources like chicken and fish or powders. Many vegans can develop themselves quite nicely but that is only because they are STILL getting protein, whether it be from tofu, beans & rice, or soybeans.

My question for you, original poster, is if you don't want protein (and therefore muscle growth), why are you on bb.com? Wouldn't you be better off on a forum that isn't literally fueled by protein? Just a thought.

Good luck in all that you do.

[jrslims]

For someone who is not active, the RDA for protein is .8g/kg of bodyweight. For someone active, it is 1.2g at the least. If you are taking in 60g and it winds up being below what the body needs for synthesis, not only will you not be in an anabolic environment, but you will not be able to synthesize enough protein which will lead to a loss of lean body mass.

When you lose lean body mass, the space is replaced with fat tissue and collagen (an inelastic protein that hinders muscle elasticity and joint motion) and it also lowers your metabolic rate making it easier for you to store fat.

[rudolph]

When you lose lean body mass, the space is replaced with fat tissue and collagen (an inelastic protein that hinders muscle elasticity and joint motion) and it also lowers your metabolic rate making it easier for you to store fat.

what!?

you mean if I lose muscle mass then the space in the muscle is replaced by fat and collagen? EEK!!


Anyway, I think I'll protein-up a bit. The only problem is that I don't have many protein sources at home besides curd cheese. I cannot eat churd cheese all day. But my father doesn't buy meat very often.

[DukeNukem]

well i'm not sure how old you are. But if you are old enough to have a job i'm sure you can buy some chicken breasts and cook'em up. Or cans of tuna for your protien. Anyway if you want it bad enough you'll find a way.

[bradroche]

protein can be broken down into energy by the body when needed. Carbs cant repair or build muscle tissue...that says it all...dont spare the protein, ESPECIALLY if your cutting

[tweaked17]

I mean it's possible, you could run only on carbohydrates. no, you really can't. fat&pro > carbs

What happens if you run on coke and sweets which contain no protein at all and you do this for months? your teeth would fall out, hair and nails would go to ****, skin would be terrible, hormones out of wack - your body would crash after a while

Could you die from this? yes, people do

I mean wouldn't you burn all your muscles? And what about the heart doesn't it also need protein?

I'd make a money bet you wouldn't be able to consume only sugar/carbs for any substantial period of time - do you know how much you'd have to avoid?

[rudolph]

But I know somebody who told me that for months he only ran on beer & coffee!
I told him that this is dangerous and then he became really scared. I asked him if he wasn't hungry and he said no. He said that coffee helps against hunger.lol.
Imagine this. Only beer and coffee for months!

[Sheenizzle]

But I know somebody who told me that for months he only ran on beer & coffee!
I told him that this is dangerous and then he became really scared. I asked him if he wasn't hungry and he said no. He said that coffee helps against hunger.lol.
Imagine this. Only beer and coffee for months!

I'm quite sure that didn't happen

Maybe he was joking?

[Mango7]

If you eat 0% protein you will eventually shrivel up and die.

[Benneli_G]

This concerns me.
What if I do not get enough protein during my fat loss diet?
I don't eat a lot of meat. I eat curd cheese but that's not high quality protein. And besides this I eat pasta which also doesn't contain much protein. I also eat oats in the morning. But I'm not taking any protein powder. What if I only get 60gr proteins a day? Is this dangerous?

eating pasta is like eating lard, very bad for you , remember almost all things that are white are bad for you

[Power_Flanking]

you can survive on the minimun of protein

but you would die if you didnt eat any it survival from years ago men kill animal to eat meat .....you dnt eat meat you die

[Sheenizzle]

eating pasta is like eating lard, very bad for you , remember almost all things that are white are bad for you

...?

[Mango7]

Especially white women!