How much protein do you eat?: - Healthy Eating

Healthy Eating

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How much protein do you eat?

Cooper27 profile imageCooper27Administrator110 Voters
30
Don't know
29
Around average/GDA
21
Above average/GDA
14
Below average/GDA
8
Varies
4
Well above average/GDA
4
Well below average/GDA
0
Other
39 Replies
colo60 profile image
colo60

Actually I don't really know, I decided after years, to stop eating meat, ( you'd smile if I told you why lol ) it's not an obsession as such, it's flesh of !! But, the problem I have is where or how to replenish the protein of meat, or IF i'm getting enough - really good issue you raise Cooper27 👍

Cooper27 profile image
Cooper27Administrator in reply to colo60

Maybe try tracking your diet in Chronometer for a few days? It's a great app for giving micro and macro breakdown of your diet. You can then figure out what needs to be adapted :)

colo60 profile image
colo60 in reply to Cooper27

Thank you, I never knew. i'll check this out - much appreciated 👍

Imaaan profile image
Imaaan

Average on a normal basis but slightly above average when my ferratin starts plummeting

lawli56 profile image
lawli56

I'm supposed to eat between 65-85g a day because of my gastric bypass but it varies because I can't eat enough actual food in a day to get that much and sometimes, like now, I just can't face the protein shakes.

agapepilgrim profile image
agapepilgrim in reply to lawli56

Orgain chocolate peanut butter protein powder taste pretty good to me. And high protein.

lawli56 profile image
lawli56 in reply to agapepilgrim

Thanks I'll take a look at that.

👍

Greyone profile image
Greyone

Once more unto the confessional, it seems I go. Must confess that I only keep my eye on Calories, Fats, Sugars and Salt. Nearly did fibre but not sure what for.

Is there something here I need to know about, please?

Cooper27 profile image
Cooper27Administrator in reply to Greyone

Protein is a bit of an individual thing, the amount you benefit from will depend on factors like body weight and activity levels :) it's sometimes worth just tracking it for a couple of days, to see that you're getting enough, as it's where we get our essential amino acids from:

healthline.com/nutrition/es...

Greyone profile image
Greyone in reply to Cooper27

Thx for that Cooper27. Some good reading for me instead of the local coffee shop this afternoon.

jimk_mb profile image
jimk_mb

I used to know when I used the app MyFitnessPal, but have gotten lazy and don't do this. The information is valuable though even though it is a pain to record my foods. Particularly since I snack a lot.

Greyone profile image
Greyone in reply to jimk_mb

thx Jim. I know what you mean about recording things. I use excel and manually keep the NI info up to date.

MFP looks interesting. I'm going to give the free version a go and already I am pleased to see that it has Growers Harvest. I tried one or two of these some time ago and found they had none of my favourite foods. But it seems that it agrees with my Spreadsheet for GH Porridge.

So here goes...

jimk_mb profile image
jimk_mb in reply to Greyone

Yes, I've only ever use the free version. You can also add you own foods/recipes.

Cooper27 profile image
Cooper27Administrator in reply to Greyone

If it helps at all, I find chronometer a lot easier than MFP for entering foods :)

Greyone profile image
Greyone in reply to Cooper27

Thx cooper27. I'm not emotionally wedded to these kinds of things and my spreadsheet does for me but I am rather curious about apps.

kitchengardener2 profile image
kitchengardener2

Try to eat protein with most meals.

tas1 profile image
tas1

My son is always complaining that I'm looking at sugar & fat content but never the protein. As a family, we've made a conscious decision to eat more plant based meals so he is now teaching his mum about protein content & we are both learning new recipes. Good news all round + some quality time together.

I find all food a bit of a challenge as I get older. Foods I once loved don’t appeal any more so I really have to consider protein intake and how to get it. If I’m not feeling hungry I’ll often eat an egg or a piece of cheese or a few nuts to up my protein intake. I tried protein powders and hated the taste, but one thing I really enjoy is a shake made from peanut powder and I try to include one in my diet daily.

HungryHufflepuff profile image
HungryHufflepuffMeal Of The Month

I don’t actually think about protein. I have no idea how much I eat or how much we’re supposed to eat. It’s just not something that’s really occurred to me to think about, which I’m now embarrassed to say, being part of this community ☺️

Biomet profile image
Biomet

Dear Cooper27, my vote was that I didn’t know as there wasn’t a standard by which how much protein was supposed to be eaten in a day, in a week or even in a month.

It would have been good to know if there was any guidance/guidelines given buy nutritionalists as to how much protein is supposed to be eaten by an individual. All this is dependent on if someone is a bodybuilder or works out in a gym just to keep fit or is an athlete with a strict diet to adhere to.

Thank you for the most interesting question, nevertheless but there are factors to consider before making an informed choice.

Cooper27 profile image
Cooper27Administrator in reply to Biomet

Dieticians calculate protein requirements by body weight, so it's something like 0.7-1.0 X bodyweight in kg. If you're working out, you may wish to aim for higher.

There's not a lot of point in having more than 20g at a time though, as your kidneys can't process much above that, it can be damaging to them.

Cooper27 profile image
Cooper27Administrator

Well despite setting the poll, I actually am a "don't know". I've been through spells of trying to track and improve my intake (getting 80-100g per day, slightly above GDA), but it's been a while since I did that, and I think I'm getting a bit less now :)

Ninn profile image
Ninn

I have no idea. Im vegan. I know there are small amounts of different amino acids in most foods even if im not eating a complete protein with a meal. The body can store and combine to use where required. I figure ill eat a varied diet and be ok. Today ive had porridge, berries, soya yogurt and milk, brussel sprouts, sweet potato, leeks, beetroot, brown rice, chickpeas, tomatoes, olives, orange pepper, lemons, kale an orange and a poppy seed muffin. I gather from much recent news about gut bacteria we should be more worried about fibre than protein.

HealthSeeker7 profile image
HealthSeeker7

I'm not sure what you mean by 'protein', though I suspect most people think of it as meat or other animal foods. I haven't eaten any meat or eggs for 58 years (I'm a healthy 70 now) and I have never worried about how much protein I consume. So I answered 'Don't know'. It's my understanding that enough protein can be gained from eating just plant foods (especially greens, beans and nuts), that every plant contains protein, even white rice and potatoes which have the lowest amounts. According to Dr T Colin Campbell - author of The China Study - most of us are eating too much protein because an excess of protein has been linked to cancer. Here's a short article about his research. onegreenplanet.org/news/t-c...

HungryHufflepuff profile image
HungryHufflepuffMeal Of The Month in reply to HealthSeeker7

I eat a plant based diet too, but I know there’s protein in tofu and lentils (I think so anyway?) and other plants, but I’m not all that familiar with protein , where it comes from or how much we should eat. I’ve noticed the sudden appearance of protein snacks and protein shakes (which I don’t buy) so I guess protein is the new thing to focus on 🤔

Cooper27 profile image
Cooper27Administrator in reply to HungryHufflepuff

Proteins are a source of essential amino acids, which are building blocks for our body's cells.

I think the growth in protein shakes has largely stemmed from weight management, as it's filling and low in calories. It does help with muscle repair following exercise too.

HungryHufflepuff profile image
HungryHufflepuffMeal Of The Month in reply to Cooper27

I’m really embarrassed to know so little about protein!

HealthSeeker7 profile image
HealthSeeker7 in reply to HungryHufflepuff

I might start to worry when there are protein deficiency wards in hospitals.

Cooper27 profile image
Cooper27Administrator in reply to HealthSeeker7

The thing is, protein deficiency symptoms aren't necessarily obvious, people may not realise they're not eating enough, and may be misdiagnosed if they went to a GP about them:

webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow...

Penel profile image
Penel in reply to Cooper27

Sister-in-law on a diet found her hair started falling out. Turned out to be lack of protein.

agapepilgrim profile image
agapepilgrim in reply to HealthSeeker7

Since there are currently about 2,000 cancer deaths a day in US, as a society we definitely putting too much of something in our bodies!

Penel profile image
Penel in reply to agapepilgrim

Junk food? Sugar?

Wulugu profile image
Wulugu

god quiz but what is GDA please explain before you post such an interesting quiz wulugu

Cooper27 profile image
Cooper27Administrator in reply to Wulugu

GDA is individual - calculated as 0.7-1g per kg of your weight :)

Onegramatatime profile image
Onegramatatime

I don't understand why food groups should get such focus? I don't count calories either.

HungryHufflepuff profile image
HungryHufflepuffMeal Of The Month

Hopefully it’s ok to post a link here:

bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide...

I just looked at this and it explains some about protein, and what foods contain protein. I’m relieved to see I eat many of those foods already. I’ll be reading that article properly later 🥦

junemc profile image
junemc

I don't know what the average GDA is so find it impossible to answer this question.

Cooper27 profile image
Cooper27Administrator in reply to junemc

The recommended GDA is an individual thing: recommendation is 0.7-1.0g per kg of body weight.

Lotus-Blossom profile image
Lotus-Blossom

I would say above average as I eat a variety of different foods.