How to Get Protein with not so much Fat?

[littleangelbear]

Hi,

I'm having a moment I guess...

I know that the body doesn't make protein from protein, but rather, via amino acids and the highest concentration is in dark, green, leafy veggies.

But, tracking my food on fitday shows I'm only getting 10-15 percent of my calories from protein. The rest is split evenly btn. good fat and carbos. I'm 95 percent raw (I drink herbal teas and one cooked vegan meal per week).

I know I shouldn't compare my diet to the food pyramid standards, but there is so much conflicting things out there about how many grams of protein one needs a day. It's crazy. I tend to be more of an intuitive eater any how and go with what my body needs, but I've only been raw 6 months.

I guess I'm just worried that with my basal rate and my activity level (competitive cyclist with 6-12 hours per week on bike, including racing too) that I will burn off my muscle. I'm thin and have lost body fat, but I still look healthy otherwise (good color to skin, etc.).

What to do what to do?

Some days I burn off more than I eat which is great 'cause I want to get rid of my last five pounds, but what do I do after that? LOL

Trying to keep motivated and not lose hope :)

Any advice?

I'm too healthy to quit eating this way!

Thanks in advance,
Lisa

[rawfigure]

That is the dilemma of many raw athletes. We are living by the old standards of the "protein myth". There are many of us and we are finding that it really is not a protein gram issue as much as it is simply getting amino acids and enough calories.

You digestive system breaks the protein foods down into amino's to be re -build to make complete proteins (aka amino acids ) later in the Liver (I think that is the process..) there is a good article about Digestion at rawrunner.com . So as long as you are getting adequate calories, amino's from greens and fruits you will be fine !

The is a list of highest protein fruits and veggies floating around her somewhere...maybe do a search.

If i run across it I will post.

So get the cals in and do not worry about protein grams. When i was body building I was 15 fat/25 carbs/60 protein
now I am closer to 25 fat/60 carb/ 15 protein and I look as good and feel better ! And performance is good too.

[twinyoga]

There is a product call Thor's Raw Power. I just started using it in smoothies. Try it. It's good protein, little fat. Just do a google search and you'll find it. Or ask me if you can't.

[rawpriestess]

Well, that is exactly the reason that Alissa suggests NOT using fitday or anything like that, it doesn't make sense, you said that you are feeling too healthy to stop eating like this --- so don't.

KEEP eating what you are eating, if you feel good, then that's all that matters.

there is nothing more to do.

[littleangelbear]

Thanks so much for the replies...I feel better now :) I'm going to check out some stuff--thanks for the help :) Great food for thought ;)

Rawpriestess,
I'm thinking of nixing the fitday bit. I keep a paper journal of what I eat and I think that is enough for me. I might do a few days here and there to get an idea for certain time periods, etc., but I don't think I'll input stuff every day--it will drive me nuts...Not good for me since I had eating disorder tendencies when I was younger :) Thanks for the confirmation :)

Hugs to everyone!

[dreamrawalwz]

I always wonder about fitday. They measure "protein" but they never measure "amino acids" so I don't think what they say you're getting is correct (at least not in the fruits and veggies). I'm not sure how to explain what's in my head...

[Sharon in Colorado]

Greens are a great source of amino acids which help the body form a protein. The best way to use greens without added fat would be to throw a handful of greens in a fruit smoothie, thus the "green smoothie". Spinach is the mildest IMO, and once you are used to the flavor you can use more and/or graduate to the hardier greens.

For salads, you can squeeze an orange over your greens and you'll save yourself about 30 grams of fat from an avocado, or 15 grams of fat from a couple tablespoons of oil.

[juliebove]

Do you eat sprouts? They have protein and no fat. Some have more protein than others.

[Brianna]

Some great sources of protein:
Sprouts of all kinds
Green leafy veggies
Algae, such as chlorella, E3Live, etc.
Bee pollen

[stiletto]

I put raw hemp protein in my morning smoothies along with green vibrance. It adds to my protein intake. The hemp has about 3.5 grams of fat per serving which isn't too much. But, of course, it's wonderful fat.
Doreen