Protein

Anthony wrote:
|| Opinions on the desirable amount of protein seem to vary quite a bit.
|| I use the Eades (Protein Power) number of 0.8 gms protein for every
|| 1lb of lean body mass. Anyone using some much different basis?

I use a differenct basis; I approximate the amount as a % of total calories
consumed,a s follows:

Fat: 70% (@9g per calorie)
Protein: 25% @4g per calorie
Carbohydrates: 5% @4g per calorie

So as an example, if I ate 1500 calories, it would be apportioned as
follows:

Fat (1500 X 70%)/9 = 116g
Protein (1500 X 25%/4) = 93.75g
Carbohydrates (1500 X 5%/4) = 18.75 g

These numbers are actually very close to the ideal for me; by trial and
error of the past four years or so I've found I lose weight fastest when I
stick to these proportions. But eveyone's metabolism is different, and I
follow this not so much anymore to lose weight as to keep my cholesterol,
triglycerides and blood sugars normal. (Incidentally, I eat fat without
regard to whether it's saturated or unsaturated, I just avoid transfats.
YMMV. My blood lipids always stay normal as long as the % of carb to fat
stays low).

I don't weigh, measure and calculate everything I eat anymore; I've been
doing my version of Atkins for so long now that I automatically choose foods
that come out amazingly close to these proportions if I plug them into
Fitday. I've been maintaining for a year or so, so my proportions have been
closer to 60%/25%/15%. When I think about it, it's pretty funny that I can
control my weight loss the opposite of what tradition says: to lose weight
I increase fat, to maintain I decrease the fat. lol!
--
Peter
Website: http://users.thelink.net/marengo

"Fat: 70% (@9g per calorie)
Protein: 25% @4g per calorie
Carbohydrates: 5% @4g per calorie

So as an example, if I ate 1500 calories, it would be apportioned as
follows:

Fat (1500 X 70%)/9 = 116g
Protein (1500 X 25%/4) = 93.75g
Carbohydrates (1500 X 5%/4) = 18.75 g "

I've been at my goal weight for about three years so I haven't measured
anything except protein for quite a while. My lean body mass is about
165, probably not much different than yours, but I'm aiming at about
130g protein but my total calorie intake is probably also quite a bit
higher than yours too. Whatever works I guess.

Anthony said:

Opinions on the desirable amount of protein seem to vary quite a bit.
I use the Eades (Protein Power) number of 0.8 gms protein for every 1lb
of lean body mass. Anyone using some much different basis?

"PProtein Power"
"How much Protein Do You Need ?" pp 92-97

In there they define activity categories, and a different protein
requirement for each activity level....

No wonder that there could be different opinions on the desirable amount
of protein.

Activity
Level . . . . . . Protein gm/lb lean body weight (mass)

Sedentary .......=0.5
Moderately active=0.6
Active...........=0.7
Very Active......=0.8
Athlete..........=0.9

They also go on to recommend dividing the daily protein requirement by 3
to get the minimum intake per meal.

For each meal, you should consume AT LEAST this amount of high quality
protein.

Page 138.... Frequently Asked Questions....

Question - Won't all this protein damage my kidneys?

Answer - No....... Even if you greatly exceed this [minimum] amount
substantially - as long as your kidneys function normally- you should
have no ill effects....
-------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for the question as I had forgotten the Eades minimum
recommendations above.

I generally eat " athletic" and actually live "active" with respect to
protein.

Sometimes I have dreams of running a 3 minute mile, say once a year.
+

--
1) Eat Till SATISFIED, Not STUFFED... Atkins repeated 9 times in the book
2) Exercise: It's Non-Negotiable..... Chapter 22 title, Atkins book
3) Don't Diet Without Supplimental Nutrients... Chapter 23 title, Atkins
book
4) A sensible eating plan, and follow it. (Atkins, Self Made or Other)