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Optimum amount of protein

#1

Sewmam , 02-29-2012 11:59 AM

The amount of meat we eat is more than I usually have done, and since starting Phase 2, it's even more. I love eggs, but always forget they are there, so am thinking of adding more of them to salads and other lunch/dinners.

My question to you all is: I calculated the amount of protein in the 5 oz meat portion vs 2 lg eggs (that I was told was a good substitute) and those 2 eggs only have 12 grams of protein vs about 43g in meat. That is a significant difference, isn't it? Going to 8 oz is even more.

If I use 3 lg eggs per serving, I can get 18 g protein, but the fat is higher as well.

So, what does the body do when you get less protein vs more? Will it draw more on the glycogen stores in the liver to generate energy? Sorry...my brain is muddled right now and I can't think. I just found out that my state RX help program has cut back, so I'm not eligible, and I had to go through the Medicare drug plans again.... so stressful...that's just when I want to grab a chocolate cake! )

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#2

Mkssweetie , 02-29-2012 08:05 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sewmam
The amount of meat we eat is more than I usually have done, and since starting Phase 2, it's even more. I love eggs, but always forget they are there, so am thinking of adding more of them to salads and other lunch/dinners.

My question to you all is: I calculated the amount of protein in the 5 oz meat portion vs 2 lg eggs (that I was told was a good substitute) and those 2 eggs only have 12 grams of protein vs about 43g in meat. That is a significant difference, isn't it? Going to 8 oz is even more.

If I use 3 lg eggs per serving, I can get 18 g protein, but the fat is higher as well.

So, what does the body do when you get less protein vs more? Will it draw more on the glycogen stores in the liver to generate energy? Sorry...my brain is muddled right now and I can't think. I just found out that my state RX help program has cut back, so I'm not eligible, and I had to go through the Medicare drug plans again.... so stressful...that's just when I want to grab a chocolate cake! )
Sorry you ae stressed. I too have wondered how 2 eggs count the same as 8 oz of meat as an exchange. I will try to remember to ask my coach tomorrow. Do you have a coach to ask. Take care and try to avoid that chocolate cake

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#3

thin4me , 02-29-2012 10:27 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mkssweetie
Sorry you ae stressed. I too have wondered how 2 eggs count the same as 8 oz of meat as an exchange. I will try to remember to ask my coach tomorrow. Do you have a coach to ask. Take care and try to avoid that chocolate cake
I was told it was 3 eggs in place of 8oz of protein. Actually I have a hard boiled egg with my lunch and then aim for 6oz of meat at supper.

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#4

bethanym , 02-29-2012 10:39 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sewmam
So, what does the body do when you get less protein vs more? Will it draw more on the glycogen stores in the liver to generate energy? Sorry...my brain is muddled right now and I can't think. I just found out that my state RX help program has cut back, so I'm not eligible, and I had to go through the Medicare drug plans again.... so stressful...that's just when I want to grab a chocolate cake! )
No cake!

If you eat too little protein, the body starts breaking down muscle. If you eat way too much protein, the body can actually store it as fat as well (but that would mean eating a whole bunch of it, because it is the hardest to store). I'll see if I can find the optimal amount of protein in Dr. Tran's book.

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#5

bethanym , 02-29-2012 11:35 PM

Here is what I was able to find in his book about the optimal amount of protein required

Quote:
On average, women need 1.2 g of protein per day per kilogram of
ideal body weight and men 1.4 g, to keep their body in shape and
enable it to perform all of its functions. These figures depend not
only on gender, but also on age and life events (pregnancy or breastfeeding,
for example). Although these figures are widely accepted,
they are probably greater than actual needs.

A woman who weighs 50 kg needs 60 g of protein per day (1.2 x 50 =
60 g).

Where is she going to find that protein? The answer is obvious: in
meat, fish, dairy products and eggs.

Half a small steak weighs 60 grams. Your body would have a hard
time functioning on so little, because a 60-gram steak does not
contain 60 grams of protein. In fact, every 100 grams of steak
contains about 20 grams of protein (17 to 13 grams, depending on
the meat).
You’d have to eat 300 grams of steak to get 60 grams of protein!

And those 300 grams of meat also contain 240 grams you don’t
need, including 30 to 60 grams of fat (less for lean cuts). Obviously,
this in no way helps you reduce your carbohydrate and fat intake or
your caloric intake for that matter.

The one definite benefit of eating meat is that it contains no carbohydrates.
Your body will be forced to draw the energy it needs from the fat that has been stored for some time in your fatty tissue, because that is what fat is for.

This physiological process involves converting your body’s fat into
fuel. Ketosis is the process by which your body turns its fat reserves
into energy and gluconeogenesis is the process by which it converts
the amino acids in its muscles into energy.

Let’s focus on the principle. By inducing ketosis, the protein diet
forces your metabolism to convert fat into “fuel” and melt the fat
away. The problem is that you don’t want to lose muscle mass in the process.
Here is the link to his book...I found this on page 40 and 41.
http://www.trantiendiet.com/site/IMG...re_Dr_Tran.pdf

FYI...
1 pound = 0.45359237 kilograms

So to calculate how much protein you need, the calculation would be:

(your desired weight x 0.45359237) x 1.2 = required grams of protein. (mine came out to 68 grams per day)

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#6

Sewmam , 03-01-2012 01:05 PM

Thanks! I didn't know about the book - will go read it now.

My coach suggested adding more egg whites, which I had forgotten was allowed, so I'm going to try that tomorrow. Maybe a scramble/stir fry or something at lunch....

I was stressed yesterday, but ate dinner out and did fine. No chocolate cake but I did have sugar-free jello. Not bad....

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#7

bethanym , 03-01-2012 07:29 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sewmam
Thanks! I didn't know about the book - will go read it now.

My coach suggested adding more egg whites, which I had forgotten was allowed, so I'm going to try that tomorrow. Maybe a scramble/stir fry or something at lunch....

I was stressed yesterday, but ate dinner out and did fine. No chocolate cake but I did have sugar-free jello. Not bad....
The book is a VERY interesting read...I am surprised at the large number of variances between his recommendations and the clinic protocols. But maybe that's because people are on it for far longer than his recommended 20-30 days.

And good call on the jello over the cake!!

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