Had a talk today with a guy who was sort of offended for some reason about me not eating animal products and lifting weight. He said I’d never get enough protein (never heard that one before!!!). Because lentils aren’t a thing in a world of steaks.
Anyway he said that you need at least 200 grams of protein each day when you lift but that’s of course nonsense. Not saying you shouldn’t do it, but you don’t need to either.
I’m averaging around 110-140 grams a day and I’m doing fine at ±80kg body weight.
Not a body builder here, but I think I read somewhere that the average American eats twice the suggested amount of daily protein (which makes sense when over a third of USians eat fast food every day). As a vegan I mostly get my protein from plant based meat subs, nuts, and broccoli. I recently read the CriticalResist fitness article on prolewiki, and I’m pretty sure both of you are in the healthy protein range for weight lifting (though the meat-eater is a little high).
Actually due to the kinds of processed foods Americans eat they typically get less protein than what is recommended and this causes overeating. Your body focuses on protein and macronutrients first as these are the most important. The body doesn’t want to stop eating until those needs are met. Since so much or our food is processed and thus low in macronutrients and consists so much of empty carbs it causes people to naturally over eat in calories in order to meet those protein and macronutrient needs. This is why whole, unprocessed, high protein foods are so important. Regardless of if it’s meat or vegetable.
Based on a short google search it seems most USians consume adequate protein or more (assuming the average American isn’t a body builder). I wouldn’t disagree that due to the processed nature and concentration of fat+salt+sugar causes us to consume too many calories of the wrong foods.
It’s not so much about the total amount as it is the quality and how much is in each thing they eat. A lot of the American diet contains less overall protein and macronutrients in the items they consume. Which causes the body to want to eat more in order to get it. Which leads back to the eating more empty calories and fats just to meet the protein needs. It’s part of why people say fast food isn’t as filling. The raw caloric intake is massive but the actual protein, quality of said protein, and macronutrients are quite low. So then their body is still wanting more food later to get it. It’s like if you have person A eat a fast food burger, with fries that has 30grams of protein total and almost no macronutrient but 1.8k calories. Then person B eat a home cooked meal that’s 50-60 grams protein, higher macronutrients, and only 800-1.2k calories. B will feel way more satiated after that home cooked meal and intake less calories than A, who will fell a greater need later on to eat more.
My point being, they may consume enough total protein, but it’s HOW they get it that is the problem.
Exactly