protein question

[chandbaby1]

Hello PPers,
At this point in time I dont know what plan I am doing . It is fair to say just low carb. My carb count was 120g when I started and I have gradually decreased it to 100-80-60-40. Now I am upto 40g ecc which puts me right in the PP zone. I dont know if I can go to Atkins level since I am vegetarian.

So my question is what do you think should be my protein intake according to PP. I am 5 5' tall and my goal weight is 135 , I dont know where I am right now since I threw the scale. I walk 3 miles every week day and do some light weight training 2 times a week.

Please dont tell me to read the book. I have read too many books that it is confusing now. So I just want to make sure I am taking right amount of protein per day.

[LessLiz]

How much protein you need depends on your current weight, not your goal weight. I'll give you some ranges from PPLP that might help. For a woman who is 5'5" you should be eating 34g protein per meal between 151 and 200 pounds body weight, and 27g per meal between 150 and 135 pounds body weight.

[chandbaby1]

34g is that all?
Hmm Dr Schwarzbein said about 60-70g, thats almost double. This almost sounds like a restrction. Why would you want to restrict protein is there a reason for this?
So is there calorie restriction in PP?
Because 40g carbs 35 g protein leaves like 150g for fat if you dont want to get hungry.

[LessLiz]

That is 34 grams per meal, 102 per day. And that is the *minimum amount -- you can eat more if you choose!

[chandbaby1]

Well now that makes sense. Good looks like I need to up my protein.
It is so hard to get all the protein when you are a vegetarian.Especially when you try to lower soy intake as well.

[LessLiz]

Gaelan is a PP vegetarian. She posts occasionally here as well as more frequently on the Protein Power website http://www.proteinpower.com/forum/.

[chandbaby1]

yes that is definitely helpful.

[NoWhammies]

Per meal? Wow. I guess if I do switch over from Atkins, that is going to be a real change for me - maybe I need to start trying to move that protein level up a bit now just to get used to it to try and incorporate that amount of protein in each meal while I am awaiting the book. Boy - I am going to have to rethink my caloric intake and how I do the whole calorie thing, I can see. Interesting.