Protein issues

I think it would be very helpful to address the issue of protein intake head on as there appears to be a great deal of confusion and the original thread isn't being adressed.

Dr Atkins, in an interview, and I apologize for not having a link, recommended 18-24 ounces per day.

A_N recommended 8-10 ounces per day in this forum. Although, In another thread, a total of 16 was recommended (in a ratio of 4-6-6 B/L/D)..this is a contradiction by almost double..but at least closer to the good Dr's plan.

I have received many many private messages from ppl looking forward to seeing this resolved..all of them have been confused by the sudden different information regarding much lower protein recommendations than they originally understood.

To my way of thinking, Atkins is a low carb, HIGH protein way of life..8-10 ounces of protein is anything but high nor does it fit the description of 'liberal'. Perhaps you are calculating protein differently from the bulk of us? if so, some enlightenment would be helpful.

That all being said, I realize some of us find the need to tweak the amounts/ratios of everything we eat as we get closer to goal...calories, fats, carbs and protein...but my biggest concern is for ppl just starting out on this WOE and not getting enough protein.

I, and many other ppl, are anxiously awaiting the A_N's reply.

Mandy

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

Hi Mandy,

First, I just want to clarify that the Atkins Nutritional Approach is not a ‘low carb, high protein way of life’, it is a controlled carbohydrate approach. You are controlling the amount of carbs in your meal planning, while consuming protein and fat until satisfied.

It is difficult to recommend an amount to be included daily, as everyone’s needs are different. That is why recommendations are given in ranges. Those who require less should aim for the lower end. Those who require more should aim for the higher end.

The nutritionists’ responses you mention were based on the information provided by the individual who posted the thread. Those recommendations were likely individualized for that poster, while Dr. Atkins’ interview was for an audience, so he gave a range to cover those at the lower and higher end.

The key is to eat when your hungry and stop when your full. The focus should also be on individualizing the guidelines so that they meet your preferences. Even someone at the same weight and height with the same weight loss goals may have different meal plans depending on their own food preferences and their response to weight loss.



Hope I was able to clarify this for you and others who were curious about this.

[msdamgoode]

Is the range really as large as 8-24 oz? Thats a verrryy broad spectrum. Can you be more specific?

No disrespect intended, but I'm sorry..I classify that as a complete non-answer. I acknowledged the need to individualize the plan in later stages, but please address directly the range (much smaller than 8-24 oz) that Dr Atkins said. Whenever he wrote one of his books, he was addressing an 'audience'..and audience of ppl who wanted to low carb to lose weight yet preserve muscle mass.

Mandy

[Kimmer]

Compounded with the RDA of only 60 gm per day. A basic menu of average portions easily exceeds that:

Data Per Fitday:

Chicken breast, roasted, w/o skin, 6 oz raw wt, 31 gm protein
Salmon, broiled, 6 oz raw wt, 33 gm protein
Eggs, boiled, 2 large, 13 gm protein

Total Protein: 77 grams

Larger portions, vegetables and, especially the touted pork rinds will increase the amount significantly. Per the AN post in this forum, protein in excess of nutritional requirements converts to glucose at a 40% rate.

[LindaSue]

It looks like you're talking about two different things. MandyDee and the nutritionist were referring to ounces of protein containing foods, namely meat, cheese and eggs, and Kimmer is talking about grams of protein.

[Kimmer]

Originally posted by LindaSue
It looks like you're talking about two different things. MandyDee and the nutritionist were referring to ounces of protein containing foods, namely meat, cheese and eggs, and Kimmer is talking about grams of protein.

Linda, thank you. I didn't word my post that well (what I think and what my fingers type don't always coincide, LOL).

I'm thinking that if 24 oz of protein (whether fish, chicken, beef) is eaten, it will be WAY over the RDA of 60 protein grams and convert to glucose?

[lkmjbc3]

No one really knows what protein intake should be. In fact an exact amount may be difficult to pin down.

The reasons are two fold. First, protein needs of the body will vary widely as to the individual and activity level of the individual. The needs of a sedentary 150pd women are not the same as the needs of a 275 pd body builder! The needs of that same 150pd woman may increase dramatically as she starts weight lifting. The same 275pd body builder may need alot less when he slacks off.

Further complicatiing this is the quality of the protein consumed. As Kimmer states much of the overage of protein may be converted to glucose. Further, some protein sources are much better than others. Pork rinds for instance are poor quality protein. I would bet that much less of this protein is available for muscle building vs a higher quality.

So, the picture is really cloudy. A careful personally tailored program may be the only way to go!

lkmjbc3

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

Let's nip this in the butt!

Dr. Atkins says 24 oz/day this is 8 oz for 3 meals/day. This is general, if someone were to eat a snack or 2, it may increase by a few more oz.s

A nutrent breakdown of your foods should reflect that protein is 30% of your total caloric intake. If your calories are 1200 and someone elses calories are 1800, the portions of proten will vary.

Now the general rule, is to not worry about portion sizes.

Eat liberal amounts of protein and fat. However, you do need to measure 3-4 cups of salad, eat no more than 4 oz of cheese, 15 olives, 1/2 an avocado 2 tsp lemon juice.

If you get hungry snack on a satisfying food, ie a hamburger patty, chicken salad...this would up the protein and fat while keeping carbs at a constant number.

I think this is the answer you are looking for.

However, there are people who are 300 pounds that might be hungry if they try to eat only 24 oz of protein and use this general rule, so in their interest I would have to mention that eating more protein or 6 oz of cheese instead of 4 may not effect weight and the most important factor to consider is satisfaction. No one on this plan should feel hungry!

If I have not clreared the air, I apologize cause I just may not be getting your point. So, try to spell things out for me.

Thank you ..YES..this finally answers my questions and addresses my original point of a recommendation of 8-10 per day being absurd!

Mandy

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

Great! So after all that we agree :O)