How much protein do I need??

[wankerman]

Here's the story. I hired a female trainer upon the recommendation or a friend. Sad to say but I really don't understand the eating end of things. She competes in figure and seems to know her stuff but she told me I never ever need more than 150 grams of protein each day. I would be considered a hardgainer and underweight and need to eat alot to gain weight. She also has me on alot of calories but I always feel full.

How much protein do I need and will it hurt anything to eat more than 150 grams per day or should I follow her advice? I don't know if I can handle eating all these carbs each day.

[Abaddon]

Are you training to be in her field? Or build strength? Or something entirely different? What is your height and weight?
Many questions here. But the most important one is: what's your goal, and how does it fit in with her training program?

If she's advocating a high-carbohydrate diet... I'm apprehensive, but I need to know more information first: exactly how much and what kinds of carbs you're eating, and what kind of training you're doing of course...

Again, more info required here mate.

[Trevor Lane]

Well, that depends. I'm of the opinion that there is no such thing as "too much protein" but the protein that does not become muscle will fill your toilet bowl. What's your bodyweight, and how much do you want to gain? Generally speaking, maintenence intake is about 12 calories per lb of bodyweight with about 1.2 g of protein per lb each day. Bulking on the other hand generally consist of eating 15-20 cals per lb with 1.5-2g of protein per lb. To bulk cleanly I personally say take whatever fat naturally accompanies your protein sources and minimize carbs.

[Off Road]

Here's the scoop (pun intended) on protein...

The [ususal] recommended amount of protein for strength athletes is roughly 1gr of protein for 1lb of lean muscle. So, a top level natural bodybuilder would require somewhere around 180 grams a day. So your level of 150gr is probably pretty close to what you need.

Protein is NOT a magical supplement. If you take more than the required amount, it doesn't turn into extra muscle growth, despite what the magazines tell you

Carbs are not the devil and won't magically make you gain fat just because you eat them. They are an easy way to increase calories, and when it comes to gaining (or reducing) size, calories are KING!

[Shadowschmadow]

Originally Posted by Trevor Lane

Well, that depends. I'm of the opinion that there is no such thing as "too much protein" but the protein that does not become muscle will fill your toilet bowl.

Not to put you in the spotlight or correct you, but rather for educational purposes: There is such a thing as too much protein. There have been studies linking excessive protein intake and kidney problems. That's neither here nor there really; your recommendation of 1.2g is not going to pose risk to the health of an athlete.

What's your bodyweight, and how much do you want to gain? Generally speaking, maintenence intake is about 12 calories per lb of bodyweight with about 1.2 g of protein per lb each day. Bulking on the other hand generally consist of eating 15-20 cals per lb with 1.5-2g of protein per lb. To bulk cleanly I personally say take whatever fat naturally accompanies your protein sources and minimize carbs.

As Off-Road called it, you want to be looking at 1.2g per pound of LBM. With skinnier people the recommendation of per pound of body weight is not going to hurt anyone, but when you're dealing with obese individuals, specifically the really heavy guys, their intake could be far too excessive.

There have been several studies, which can be found on pubmed, that show .8g-1.2g per pound of LBM is sufficient for athletes. If you're bulking, 1.5 isn't going to hurt, but 2g per pound of LBM offers little to no benefit.

Again, this is in the context of an individual who trains frequently and regularly.

[bruteforce]

Originally Posted by GT-R

Not to put you in the spotlight or correct you, but rather for educational purposes: There is such a thing as too much protein. There have been studies linking excessive protein intake and kidney problems. That's neither here nor there really; your recommendation of 1.2g is not going to pose risk to the health of an athlete.



As Off-Road called it, you want to be looking at 1.2g per pound of LBM. With skinnier people the recommendation of per pound of body weight is not going to hurt anyone, but when you're dealing with obese individuals, specifically the really heavy guys, their intake could be far too excessive.

There have been several studies, which can be found on pubmed, that show .8g-1.2g per pound of LBM is sufficient for athletes. If you're bulking, 1.5 isn't going to hurt, but 2g per pound of LBM offers little to no benefit.

Again, this is in the context of an individual who trains frequently and regularly.

Wanted to jump in and say that I have scarring damage in my kidneys from health issues as a kid. I eat unlimited amount of meat and experience no issues in renal health. It'll be hard to overdose on protein if you get it from meat. Anyone who thinks going through a tub of protein powder in a day is a good idea is just silly. Not disagreeing with you Shadow, just wanted to point out that its difficult to naturally eat too much protein.

[J_Byrd]

1gram for every lb of body weight, I never get there, but thats the goal.

[wankerman]

Originally Posted by Abaddon

Are you training to be in her field? Or build strength? Or something entirely different? What is your height and weight?
Many questions here. But the most important one is: what's your goal, and how does it fit in with her training program?

If she's advocating a high-carbohydrate diet... I'm apprehensive, but I need to know more information first: exactly how much and what kinds of carbs you're eating, and what kind of training you're doing of course...

Again, more info required here mate.

I am 5 foot 11 and 149 pounds and looking to build as much muscle as I can. She figured out carbohydrates and told me I need at 550 grams each day or rice or things like that.

[Trevor Lane]

Originally Posted by GT-R

Not to put you in the spotlight or correct you, but rather for educational purposes: There is such a thing as too much protein. There have been studies linking excessive protein intake and kidney problems. That's neither here nor there really; your recommendation of 1.2g is not going to pose risk to the health of an athlete.



As Off-Road called it, you want to be looking at 1.2g per pound of LBM. With skinnier people the recommendation of per pound of body weight is not going to hurt anyone, but when you're dealing with obese individuals, specifically the really heavy guys, their intake could be far too excessive.

There have been several studies, which can be found on pubmed, that show .8g-1.2g per pound of LBM is sufficient for athletes. If you're bulking, 1.5 isn't going to hurt, but 2g per pound of LBM offers little to no benefit.

Again, this is in the context of an individual who trains frequently and regularly.

Like I said, no such thing as too much at least from food Who gives a **** if your kidneys or liver work, as long as you can squat like a mother****er and look like a mass of twisting steel!

[Abaddon]

Originally Posted by wankerman

I am 5 foot 11 and 149 pounds and looking to build as much muscle as I can. She figured out carbohydrates and told me I need at 550 grams each day or rice or things like that.

Then I'm pretty sure she's an idiot.

She has prescribed for you a diet super-high in quick energy carbs and not suited to your goals at all, as there's no focus on proteins and fats.

As others have posted: it is genuinely hard to overdose on protein, if obtained from natural sources, at least. Overdosing on protein powders is another matter entirely, and something I can discuss first hand.

But in your case you need to - and can safely eat - double the protein this person has advised you to eat on a daily basis. Also increase your natural fats and cut those carbs down... a little, at least. You're young and have a very high metabolism, so I don't think a major reduction in carbs is beneficial.

More red meat. More chicken. More eggs. More milk. More fish. More olive oil.
And more almonds, beans, sweet potato and chic peas if you're looking for a more complete food pyramid.