Nutrition guidelines?

[lisas3575]

I just registered at www.fitday.com to track what I'm eating-- while I try to maintain a healthy diet, I have no idea how many calories, fat and protein I consume in a typical day, and thought that I should become more aware of it.

Fitday gives me lots of information about what I'm consuming, but I don't have any guidelines about where I should be at. Is there a site or book that would tell me, say, how many grams of protein I should be getting per day?

TIA.

[wallycat]

I've got company for the next few days but would be happy to post what the text books recommend.
Protein depends on activity, illness, etc...
fat is "supposed" to be 30% or less
and carbs...well, you know the debate, but will post later what the "shoulds" are.

[sneezles]

Lisa,
Found this source for recommended amounts of protein in a vegetarian diet .

[lisas3575]

Thank you Sneezles. That was an interesting read.

I'd love to see your info too, Ana, whenever you have time to post it. Enjoy your company!
L.

[wallycat]

UGH, my company is STILL here...hopefully leaving tomorrow

The protein recommendations for an "average" person are determined by the RDA (Recommended DIETARY allowances) score which was determined quite a while ago and was basically used to prevent malnutrition--and not necessarily an "optimal" type of diet.

Here's what our textbooks say ..

.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight...
so the average 154 pound person for example, would consume 56 grams of protein.

Another way to look at recommendations is a chart they've devised where you obtain 15% protein, 55% carbs and 30% fat

Remember that protein is found in a lot of foods...like milk and cheese and eggs, tofu and beans, some veggies, etc., so meat is not necessary to obtain your allotment

Hope this helps...if not , let me know and I can get more detailed

[lisas3575]

Thank you, Ana! That's exactly what I was after. Do you know how much fiber is recommended?

Sorry your company is cramping your style! Makes it hard to surf the BB, doesn't it?

[wallycat]

There've been some discussions about fiber...most "professionals" seem to think that people don't get enough, so the worry is rarely that they get too much...but you can start eating too much so that some of the vitamins and minerals start getting passed with what you consume...

Here are the current recommendations:

Men 38 grams to age 50, then 30 g 50+

Women 25 grams to age 50 then 21 g 50+


cramping style is right...we're cancelling our trip till later in the year now


:mad: