[utgirl09]

I have been tracking my calories on livestrong.com/thedailyplate for the last 2 weeks. I have noticed that most days I have ate about 1 1/2 to 2 times the amount of protein that I should be having. Most days my carb intake has been low, like 70-80% of where it should be. I am gradually adding more and more veggies to every meal, so I know that number will increase more as I add more, but my concern is can I have too much protein? I remember reading somewhere that if you eat to much protein and not enough calcium, it can start to weaken your bones. I feel that I do get plenty of calcium though. So should I start cutting down on boneless skinless chicken? I just never thought I would have a problem eating to much protein.

[ROFL]

How much protein do you take in /day?

[utgirl09]

One day I have 50g, every other day it has been between 75-100g. I am basing the percentage on what thedailyplate tells me.

[mandalinn82]

That's what I eat, and my bones are strong and healthy, as far as I know. 100g or more a day of protein is my goal. If you're satisfied and feel good, just let it be.

[utgirl09]

Okay, thanks, that makes me feel much better!

[Heather]

You can figure your protein as a percentage of the calories you are eating. Every gram of protein has 4 calories. I think the daily recs for protein are pretty low (around 10% of calories). Many of us routinely eat 25-30% of calories from protein -- to feel full or to build muscle. Unless you have kidney problems eating even that much protein shouldn't be a problem...

[Kootch]

I've been researching a fair bit and my goal is a 40/40/20 split of calories from protein/carbs/healthy fats. I even try to swing it so that protein comes out ahead of carbs, as often as possible.

I look at it this way: Protein builds muscle. Muscle, even in a resting state, burns calories. Therefore lots of protein can help you lose weight!

[JulieJ08]

Protein is necessary to build muscle. But I don't know where the idea that *eating* protein builds muscle comes from.

[Kootch]

Originally Posted by JulieJ08

Protein is necessary to build muscle. But I don't know where the idea that *eating* protein builds muscle comes from.

Really?? Protein is the cornerstone to growth, repair, and maintenance of muscle. Especially when combined with some form of working out.

As you build muscle, your resting metabolic rate increases, ramping up your weight loss.

[annie175]

My doc has me eating 70g of protein daily.

[beerab]

50-100 g I'd say is about average- I thought you were going to say you ate over 200 grams a day or something. My spark people recommends at least 60 grams a day.

[WarMaiden]

I eat about 150 grams of protein per day.

[mandalinn82]

To clarify the whole muscle/protein question, you can't build muscle without some serious strength training...but if you're doing that strength training and NOT getting the protein you need, you won't be able to build muscle. So protein intake is one necessary thing for muscle building, as is some form of strength training that microtears muscle so it needs to be rebuilt stronger.

[Mrs Snark]

Originally Posted by JulieJ08

Protein is necessary to build muscle. But I don't know where the idea that *eating* protein builds muscle comes from.

I doubt anyone thinks just eating protein will suddenly cause new muscle growth. Alot of people shorten the concept that protein is a necessary nutritional component for building muscle by saying "Protein builds muscle", as Kootch did. But I don't think he means that just eating protein makes it happen.

But hey, it would be so nice if that were true, eh?

[Water25]

For your weight and height, and if you are exercising/weight training, you actually might want to eat more protein.
It depends on what you are trying to do to your body composition.