can you have TOO much protein? - Diet & Nutrition Message Board

goodbyegirl · 06-26-2003, 11:17 PM

lately every meal i've had contains a large dose of protien. I don't do it on purpose. my breakfast cereal contains 15 grams, my tuna sandwich is 13 grams, my brown rice is 4 grams, my yougart is 5 grams, and then I also have been eating cheese and eggs. I haven't gained any weight with these meals that have been regular for the past two weeks. is this ok though?

Absinthe · 06-27-2003, 07:30 AM

You can safely eat 1 gram per pound of bodyweight. Weight trainers often eat far more than that, but they are constantly tearing down and rebuilding muscle tissue.

The other side of the coin is that excess protein can make your kidneys work harder. It shouldn't be a problem unless you have some kind of kidney damage or are diabetic.

It doesn't look like you are overdoing it.

VeggieGirl · 06-27-2003, 08:48 PM

Recommended protein amounts are anywhere from 40-80 grams (but many people do fine on much more and sometimes less). That said, I don't think you should worry about getting too much from the foods you listed.

One thing to keep in mind, though, is that you should increase your calcium intake if you eat a lot of protein. Metabolizing excessive amounts of protein is being linked to bone loss. But since you're eating a lot of dairy, you probably don't have to worry about that either.

healthuser · 07-04-2003, 03:54 PM

I'm trying to bulk up for bodybuilding purposes. I try to eat about 200g protein a day. I've gained 5 lbs in one month while working out. I don't think you should be worried about eating too much protien.

momaagain · 07-05-2003, 09:18 AM

Like someone mentioned in a previous post-too much protien can hurt your kidneys- So just as a warning make sure you are drinking plenty of water!!!!!!!!
If you have any tendency towards high blood pressure High protien isn't the best of ideas because your kidneys ae under a lot of pressure already.
So Please Drink Lots Of WATER!!!!