50g of Protein is HARD!

[Nessa84]

I never knew how much protein I was actually eating before this diet! I really underestimated and now this week is officially NOT my first week on the diet. I need to play with meals a bit more to really see how to keep my protein in check. Yesterday I ate 600 calls and 55 g of protein so I need to make changes. I'm thinking of sticking to rice instead of pasta since rice seems to be lower protein. And tons and tons of veggies! I'm thinking my first meal will be a soup and veggie sandwich then afternoon will be a bean salad then dinner will be rice stir fry. Dessert is yogurt with berries.

Anyone else have any tips as they went along helped them out?

[Erin514]

40-50g protein is what atomic recommends for a normal LE diet, but on the "nutshell" thread she mentions you may need to go up to 50-60g if you're breastfeeding and need it to maintain supply. If I remember correctly I think you mentioned on another thread you're breastfeeding, right? I wouldn't worry too much about being 5g over and not counting the week because of that. You can still ease into 40-50g if that's working for you, but I doubt 5g would "ruin" your sway if you're generally meeting fat and calories. Maybe Atomic or someone more knowledgeable than me has more advice though. :-)

[atomic sagebrush]

The low carb vegetables, just to make sure you understand, you do NOT count protein, calories, or fat in them. They are free and unlimited. High carb veg and fruit, are free for fat and protein (you do not count them) but you do count cals.

Pasta does have tons of protein though and it is a killer for that.

600 cals is a no-no. That's not gonna work. 55 g of protein is not that big a deal, 600 cals is a dealbreaker.

Potatoes?

I always had the opposite problem I had a hard time getting enough.

[atomic sagebrush]

40-50g protein is what atomic recommends for a normal LE diet, but on the "nutshell" thread she mentions you may need to go up to 50-60g if you're breastfeeding and need it to maintain supply. If I remember correctly I think you mentioned on another thread you're breastfeeding, right? I wouldn't worry too much about being 5g over and not counting the week because of that. You can still ease into 40-50g if that's working for you, but I doubt 5g would "ruin" your sway if you're generally meeting fat and calories. Maybe Atomic or someone more knowledgeable than me has more advice though. :-)

:agree: excellent catch Erin thank you!!

50-60 g is still LE Diet range for PCOSers and those who are very tall, exercing a lot/breastfeeding. 55 g is not a concern. You're fine on that. The 600 cals has to be fixed TODAY now or you're gonna lose your breastmilk!!

[Nessa84]

I have altered my calories to 1700. I have a tough time getting higher than that.
I stopped eating pasta and am sticking to rice or bread or fewer noodles in soups. I am averaging 55g of protein now, and 25g of fat. Im realizing my potassium is significantly low and sodium is significantly high so aside from any swaying reasons I think for my health I need to adjust these numbers.
I have never been one for candy and sweets but I think instead of eating real foods (beans, dairy etc) I have to learn to think of eating candy. Tonight I had licorice and a pop tart.

DH makes fun of me. He asks me if I am making a rice stir fry with twislers and when I blended yogurt and berries he asked if they were sautéed liquorice lol He's just never seen me eat these things! I am also starting on alcohol soon too! (Assuming I get a BFN then I will start lol)

[ksmom]

25g of fat is not enough if you're eating 1700 cals. 20-30% of cals from fat would mean 38g fat minimum for that amount of calories. If you're breastfeeding I think Atomic recommends 60g. Please make sure you're getting enough fat because you will stop ovulating!

[maidentomother]

I would go up to 30g fat. But you do NOT need more fat just bc you are eating more cals, as ksmom suggests.

[atomic sagebrush]

25 g of fat was originally my minimum cutoff but too many people lost O and I upped it to 30 minimum for anyone eating more than 1200.

A diet of just candy is starvation and doesn't count! You do need to get some real food in there. :)

Having some more fat is a way to get cals without protein or candy.

[Nessa84]

I made a mistake I am not eating 1700 calories I am averaging 1400 and now that i think of it I probably am eating more fat in the vegetable oil i cook with, as i wasn't counting it before. I have such a hard time getting more calories in while keeping protein down. I am going to try wine.

[atomic sagebrush]

I would go up to 30g fat. But you do NOT need more fat just bc you are eating more cals, as ksmom suggests.

Actually, I very much prefer that people do stick in 20-30% fat range and thus, I like people to up fat intake as they up cal count. less than 20% cals from fat may stop O

[atomic sagebrush]

I made a mistake I am not eating 1700 calories I am averaging 1400 and now that i think of it I probably am eating more fat in the vegetable oil i cook with, as i wasn't counting it before. I have such a hard time getting more calories in while keeping protein down. I am going to try wine.

What's wrong with fruit?? :)

Wine and candy is starvation. We gots ta get some real food into you. Remember, you're trying to sway pink while remaining healthy to get and stay pregnant in a few weeks.

[Nessa84]

Okay great. I just remembered I can add oils to salad and stirfrys etc. So I think Ill be able to up my fat now.

[atomic sagebrush]

fat is one of the most overlooked but easiest ways to get cals without protein. :)

[maidentomother]

Actually, I very much prefer that people do stick in 20-30% fat range and thus, I like people to up fat intake as they up cal count. less than 20% cals from fat may stop O

As a general rule, I disagree, provided total cals are high enough. And no PCOS or extenuating circumstances. As long as enough cals are consumed, the body will make any fat it needs from broken down carbs.

[Nessa84]

Omg I can't believe I never thought of fruit. lol wow haha.

[atomic sagebrush]

As a general rule, I disagree, provided total cals are high enough. And no PCOS or extenuating circumstances. As long as enough cals are consumed, the body will make any fat it needs from broken down carbs.

Yeah, I know we're not going to agree on this. I am trying to prevent people from losing ovulation here and I believe that getting at least 30 g fat and 20-30% range is a necessity for that.