protein question

having nothing to do with weight gain just nutrition in general... how many grams is too much protein in a day?

i am 5'2'' ranging from 88-91 lbs on a day.

i love protein shakes and eggs and high protein fish and cereal and get anywhere from 110-140g a day.

my dr. today told me she thinks this is too much for my kidneys.  but she is a shrink not a nutritionist....

your opinion and gram intake a day?

i read my min. intake is 40g.... i get 20g a meal usually so that doesnt even sound possible!

oh also i do get carbs and fat and such as well and i vary things so thats not an issue i purely want to know if im getting too uch protein... thanks!

Dana-

Click on the middle  or third (?) link I posted earlier, there's a lot of overall information there, including g/lb.  .33g/lb is ideal.

The 1.5g/kg everyone keeps calculating for you is the UPPER limit, by the way--definitely pushing the strain and issues (also outlined in the articles) and about twice the idea amount of .8g/kg [.33g/lb or 33g for a 100lb person--so you'd even be okay at <30 but definitely no more than 50g].

The percent daily value is actually less useful in calculating protein needs than the one based on body weight.  Typically a diet should be about 60-70% carbs, 25-35% fat, and 8-12% protein, though.  20% is more based on the "protein fad" in our society lately, and not helpful or healthy for an athlete or anyone else.

Another good [not confusing and scientific, but credible!] reference for you of an ideal breakdown:

http://richmondbalance.blogspot.com/2008/02/p ercent-daily-value-what-does-that-mean.html

This one has a neat little calculator:

http://www.indoorclimbing.com/Protein_Require ment.html

Danamichael...

1 gm/lb is not the same as 1 gm/kg, because there are 2.2 lbs for every kg: you would be getting quite a bit more than you need.

To find your weight in  kg (kilograms), divide it by 2.2.

So let's say you have 101 lbs: 101/2.2 = roughly (rounding up) 46 kg.

So, at 1 to 1.2 g protein for every kg , you'd multiply the  no. of kg by 1 and by 1.2 to find the preferred range of protein intake in grams:

(1 x 46) to (1.2 x 49) = 46 to 55 g protein per day.

At the 1.5 g/kg "rate," it would be 1.5 x 46, or 69 g protein.  Intake over 70 g pf protein is too much: eat some other foods in place of the additional protein.

Now, Danamichael, you seem to be focused on numbers...and that can be okay to a point. If you're able, use the numbers for something else...do mental math or Sudoku to release the need to move them around...I have some of hte same "drive." Find a release for that part of the brain.

What would be helpful, I think, is to try to come up with combinations of protein, whole grains, and veggies/fruit that you could try to enjoy eating: try a new combination once a week.

An example: Smoothie made from 1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt, 2 heaping Tablespoons Silken Tofu, 1/2 banana (frozen would be good), 8 or 9 frozen strawberries -- blend, adding orange juice to "loosen" from edges if necessary. Add honey, sugar, or sweetener, if desired. Eat with 1 or 2 slices of a good whole wheat bread (get mine from local food co-op) with or without a little peanut butter. This meal has everything you need, is balanced, and is easy to make and take.

Take care, Danamichael

i second the sudoku for the number release problem I AM OFFICIALLY a sudoku and word jumble freak hahah :)

just so you know i called my nutritionist (i am so paronoid) and she said its hard to get TOO much protein.  that as long as you balance it with carbs and fat you are fine.  that the average american who eats meat fish and dairy gets 80g perday and with my ed and being in recovery i need alot to recover my bones.  also that the weight lifting protein theory is a myth.  the only time it effects your kidneys is if u only mass protein stock and have nothing else... and if you have family kidney issues or are diabetic.

and PPS... you all ROCK for helping me!!!! xoxoxooxoxoxoxo