Your opinion on protein

[twofoofers]

I was wondering...since the SBD book says that you are really not counting anything such as calories or carbs, and the recipes seem to range from 4 ounce portions to 8 ounce portions when it comes to proteins...how much protein is okay to have at one sitting?

I have been following The Zone for almost two years now and you are not supposed to have more than 5 ounces of protein at one sitting (7.5 ounces of most fish). Reason being per the book, your body can't process more than that at one time and will convert it into body fat.

I read a lot of the posts in the General Low Carb Forum and the Atkins Forum, and the only consern there seems to be keeping the carbs in check, but not really anything on how much is too much protein.

I usually keep to 4 ounces of protein (6 ounces if fish) per meal, but sometimes I just feel like having more.

So...the SBD opinion on how much protein in one sitting is???

[BadgerGirl]

Depends on your level of activity and whether or not you do weight-bearing exercise.

I recently posted this in another thread:

To determine your daily protein requirements, multiply your weight in pounds by one of the following:


Sedentary adult 0.4
Active adult 0.4-0.6
Growing athlete 0.6-0.9
Adult building muscle mass 0.9

Meat, poultry and fish have the most protein at 7 grams per ounce and include important amino acids.

Here are some other protein amounts:


Beans, dried peas, lentils 7 grams per 1/2 cup cooked
One large egg 7 grams
Milk 8 grams per cup
Bread 4 grams per slice
Cereal 4 grams per 1/2 cup
Vegetables 2 grams per 1/2 cup

Your minimum daily protein requirement at your current weight is 66 grams but you probably need more if you are even moderately active.

Hope this helps.

[twofoofers]

I was kind of looking for more of a per meal amount. The Zone is never more than 35g of protein per meal which is just about 5 ounces of any type of meat or cheese. Just wondering what the SBD view was.

[elijaeger]

Eat until you are full!

Seriously, excess protein (if there is such a thing) will convert to glucose in the liver, not into fat. That glucose will go to refill glycogen and used for immediate energy.

There is very little harm in eating a little toomuch protein. There is no reason to fret over 6 oz. vs 8 oz.