Question about high protein diet

[JillPole123]

Hi all, just a quick question for anyone following a high protein diet. I recently saw a recommendation to eat twice the amount of protein in grams as your ideal body weight in kgs. For me this would be something like 130-140g of protein per day. The idea is that your metabolism absolutely loves this and then feels comfortable to burn fat because you are getting all the protein you need. Apart from also avoiding veg/seed oils, there was no other strong recommendation from this guy, so thought it sounded pretty fun, if not quite a lot of protein. I'm not on a diet anyway and could try it and see if it works (have 15kg to lose, so not desperate to lose weight but would like to).

Today I had a 3 egg omelette (20g protein), 2x chicken breast (50g) with halloumi (10g), yogurt (10g), mozzarella (10g), lamb patties (40g). (Also some veg/fruit, but this is completely allowed and in line with the diet principles). Contrary to my expectation, I was really hungry all day - is this normal? I had to snack on a slice of toast about mid-afternoon to abate my hunger pangs (allowed, it's not a low carb diet).

Surely this can't be normal? That is so much food and loads more protein than I would ever normally eat, and protein is allegedly filling? I want to stick to the diet but it's a lot of effort to also feel hungry.

Thanks in advance if you can share any experiences!

I have no experience to share, but would be curious to see your updates, over next week or 2 (if not longer). I imagine you need to stick at this eating plan for at least 2 weeks to know if it's really persistently unpleasant for you.

I am inclined to disbelieve every single one of those claimed health benefits you cited, but what do i know. Maybe they can all come true for you.

Yeah, I feel skeptical just because of how much you have to eat to reach the protein target. I don't know if I will be able to stick to it, but was seduced by the alleged outcomes.

Also, think I've realised the cause of the hunger - just started my period, which is usually preceded by 1-2 days of uncontrollable hunger. Didn't put 2+2 together. So who knows. Maybe I'll just try to eat more protein, but not as much as recommended

Did high protein again today, only reached 110/120ish grams instead of full 140g but felt more manageable and wasn't hungry. Maybe I will just reduce the amount of protein as it seems so much more sustainable. Also found out a tin of beans is 20g, so pleased to have found an easy non-animal source of protein.

Happy to hear from anyone also eating high protein (or just to chat generally, not fussy!)

In case anyone is interested about today - 3 egg omelette (20g), beans (20g) and cheese (5g) on toast, and chicken curry (80g, estimated, was quite large portion). Seemed more manageable amount than day one and only 20g less protein

Is the aim to lose weight?

i need to lose a lot of weight but I would get indigestion with all that protein.

I've never heard of that calculation but definitely do feel fuller when eating high protein, low carb...but... it takes a few days to kick in. If you can push through the hunger for 5-7 days then you'll really notice it just drops away as long as you keep up the protein. Also don't go for low fat versions of things. Full fat Greek yoghurt, full fat cottage cheese etc

@EmmaH2022 Yes, the general aim is to 'heal' the metabolism so you become a fat burning machine...maybe I saw it on TikTok 🤐

@FatAgainItsLettuceTime Thanks for the feedback, so you have also experienced hunger on high protein - interesting! This scheme feels weird because low carb is not the focus. Obviously I'm not hammering the carbs, but I can have them if I want. The focus is to load up on protein, especially first thing.

You do still need to look at your calories though and eat that volume of protein within your calories. Looking at your first day, that does look pretty low calorie TBH.

Are you strength training? If not then you should.

I exercise 6 days a week, strength train for 3 for them and walk for an hour the other 3. I have 1700 calories a day and aim for 120g of protein. Trust me I'm eating more than 3 eggs for my breakfast! And losing weight.

I try and stick to this- most PTs tell you to aim for that amount of protein but anything over 100g is decent. If you are doing this long term I also recommend keeping an eye on your fibre and making sure you hit it too. I find it really filling and it feels like my body is really well fuelled for workouts and my muscles don’t get as sore.

@Marinamountainzoo Thanks, good point about calories, I assumed it was a lot but I'll add them up and report back. I'm not doing much exercise, recommended is a 20min walk every day, nothing high intensity. I will have to watch more videos to see his position on strength training ;) How many eggs do you eat, out of curiosity? This guy is made for them, says you should eat loads and they are apparently nutritionally amazing

I am confused about where your carbs are... you need those for energy and satiation (on top of high protein diet!!)
Ps.well dne on determination

@Thestoppedfan Yay, a high protein advocate! Out of interest, what foods do you recommend for fibre? Thanks

@FitFat , ah I focused on the protein when I listed my foods. I had fruit in yoghurt, tomatoes with the cheese and also toast, rice etc (not massive massive portions but definitely there)

I hope it works for you but I'm not convinced

I know a couple of guys who work out a LOT and they probably eat that amount of protein or certainly very high protein but if you're not trying to fuel muscle, and you are allowed carbs...well, I can't see the science but maybe I'm being dense.

@EmmaH2022 Yes, there was a reason I was persuaded to try it. Completely seduced by the eating and no focus on exercise ☺️

For my breakfast, I have something like three eggs and two bits of toast. Or have some beans and bacon with the eggs. I don't live off eggs TBH. I find that having some kind of meat/protein with each meal and a protein shake is enough to hit my goal everyday. But I also have carbs with every meal too. When I'm due on my period, I eat about 2000 calories a day and just accept I'm not going to lose much.

Personally, I think exercise is really important and strength training makes a huge difference to my shape and appearance.

Just added up my calories for day 1, including all oils, butters, drinks, sides etc - came to 2100. To be honest I think the hunger from that day was hormonal, and would account for the extra snacking etc. I will add up my day 2 calories, as a more normal comparison

Okay just estimated calories for day 2 - 2200 🤣 Well atleast I wasn't hungry today!

@Marinamountainzoo Thank you! I will look into strength training and see what I can incorporate. Funny how you mentioned 2000 cal on your period - that seems to be where I have landed now. Maybe just bad time to start a regime. I'll see how it goes into next week.

Let us know how you get on OP

if you have started at time of the month, it can only get easier!

@EmmaH2022 Thank you! To be frank, sharing this scheme in the forum opened my eyes a bit, that this probably is a bit of a crazy way to do it without some modifications. I think I have that 'defiant desperation' where I don't want to do anything that feels like a diet, but do want to lose weight. Still clinging onto the idea that my metabolism will totally understand what I'm up to and decide it doesn't care about calories because of the magic protein

OP I don't really understand the scheme but guessing there's more to it than what you've said.

anyway, I have lots of weight to lose and happy to support and hear new things.

Hi @JillPole123 - if you are trying to boost your metabolism by going high-protein, you should start by increasing healthy fats and oils (olive/avocado, etc) and limiting your total carbohydrate amount to under 20g per day for the first couple of weeks. That means no fruit at all, no beans (except green ones) and nothing grown under the ground (potatoes) no corn, peas, legumes, pulses, etc. Get your carbs from things like simple green veg, etc. I would recommend keeping tabs on MyFitnessPal for the first two weeks. (Just the free one)

Its definitely made my diet healthier! To make sure I hit the fibre I always make sure I have something like weetabix with breakfast (either overnight with Greek yoghurt and honey or with a protein shake poured over the top!) or oats the same way and some fruit on top. I also have loads of veg with tea.

If you are a fan of flavoured coffees I definitely recommend the protein coffee coolers from protein works- game changer! Also the high protein puddings from Lidl if you can get your hands on them are delicious!