The Protein Dilemma: Day 39 1/2 (Addition to Original Post: Protein & Fat & Carbs, Oh My!)

Day 39 1/2 -  This is the first time I've posted twice in one day, but I honestly don't think there is any way possible I could consume 150 grams of protein in one day!  For lunch I had a small salad with 1 tbsp dressing, a tuna packet, 1/4 cup of shredded cheese, tomatoes and cucumber and washed it down with a vegan protein powder and strawberry smooothie.  That was 411 calories and 41 grams of protein.  I thought I was going to hurl while I was eating/drinking my lunch.

By the standards in my original post this morning, that means I still need to consume 92 grams of protein TODAY.  Simply not gonna happen.

Surprisingly, many sites I've looked at appear to concur with those numbers.  And maybe it is because I am so far in the other direction?  Or because I have too much default information in my brain that wants to eat a mostly plant-based diet?  Whatever the reason, I just can't quite climb this mountain of information and follow it blindly.

I came across another site at ucdintegrativemedicine.com  that talks about the dangers of too much protein consumption and gives two methods for adults to calculate their ideal daily protein intake.  The first method is to take your current weight and divide it by 2.2 (to convert to kilograms) and then to multiply that number by .8.  For me 172.2 divided by 2.2 = 78.27 x .8 = 62.62 grams of protein/day.  The second method is to take your current weight and multiply it by 4, then divide by 10.  Again, for me that would be 172.2 x 4 = 688.8 divided by 10 = 68.88 grams of protein/day.

I am fully on board with the fact that I need to consume more protein.  That is a definite fact!  But, I think 150 grams (for me, for now) is too extreme.  I am going to back up a bit and start with a target of 65 to 75 grams of protein/day.  That feels more reasonable to me.  And I am not going to track quite so diligently the fat and carbs (at this point).  I know I eat healthy fats in smart quantities.

So to recap - I am going to aim for 1700 - 1750 calories/day.  I am going to aim for 65 to 75 grams of protein/day.  I am going to stick to my 3 meals a day, with a small snack only when I am hungry between meals.  I am going to forego the preworkout snack/meal when I workout first thing in the morning, but I am going to be extra mindful about a high protein breakfast right after.  And I am going to track my meals, calories and protein.

Maybe later I will evolve into those more extreme changes, but for now - this feels better.  I don't mind pushing myself, but I don't want to push myself in the wrong direction or over the edge.

Until next time...  Be well!
~Tracy



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