Emphasis on Protein or Calories?

[drunkmonk]

As a noob my question is simple. I have been placing more of an emphasis on protein and not so much on calories. I am trying to build lean muscle while on TRT. Is one as important as the other? My natural tendency is to eat a lot of protein, raw veggies, fruit, nuts, milk, and fruit juices. Oh and protein shakes.

 

[Megatron28]

Set up a "budget" for your diet. Define your Total macros and calories. Strive to stay within that budget and meet your macro goals.

 

[cybrsage]

Just remember that fruit is almost all sugar, so be careful with it. Fruit has dietary fiber at least, but fruit juice has very little of that - so you are essentially drinking flavored sugar water.

 

[halfwit]

As a noob my question is simple. I have been placing more of an emphasis on protein and not so much on calories. I am trying to build lean muscle while on TRT. Is one as important as the other? My natural tendency is to eat a lot of protein, raw veggies, fruit, nuts, milk, and fruit juices. Oh and protein shakes.

Unfortunately, it's not simple in that it depends on what your goal is. Protein is important, as you cannot build muscle without it, but caloric intake is what determines energy levels and body fat. So the "simple" answer is both.

I'd spend some time learning about what your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) is, as that's a rough calculation based on a few of your statistics and exercise levels. This number tells you how many calories your body needs to maintain its current state, and serves as a starting point from which you can decide to reduce for fat loss, or add to for increasing weight.

The best approach I've found is to take small steps in the chosen direction and gauge results. Then make changes based on how things are going. The rule of thumb is roughly 1g-1.5g of protein for every pound of lean mass, as this is usually sufficient for most. After that, you can decide to budget in your other macros as Tron stated to fit your needs. (carbs are the cheapest source of calories, so they tend to get the lion's share of the macro split)

My .02c

 

[Megatron28]

Unfortunately, it's not simple in that it depends on what your goal is. Protein is important, as you cannot build muscle without it, but caloric intake is what determines energy levels and body fat. So the "simple" answer is both.

I'd spend some time learning about what your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) is, as that's a rough calculation based on a few of your statistics and exercise levels. This number tells you how many calories your body needs to maintain its current state, and serves as a starting point from which you can decide to reduce for fat loss, or add to for increasing weight.

The best approach I've found is to take small steps in the chosen direction and gauge results. Then make changes based on how things are going. The rule of thumb is roughly 1g-1.5g of protein for every pound of lean mass, as this is usually sufficient for most. After that, you can decide to budget in your other macros as Tron stated to fit your needs. (carbs are the cheapest source of calories, so they tend to get the lion's share of the macro split)

My .02c

Unless you are Halfwit and then the lion's share of your budget is allocated to yummy cheesecake!

 

[halfwit]

Unless you are Halfwit and then the lion's share of your budget is allocated to yummy cheesecake!

I wish.

Three months or so before I get to engage in oral sex.... Errrrrrrrrr, eating cheesecake again.

 

[Megatron28]

I wish.

Three months or so before I get to engage in oral sex.... Errrrrrrrrr, eating cheesecake again.

It is anal sex too!

 

[Mrrippedzilla]

Slightly surprised no one brought this up but - are you a real noob? As in less than 6 months training?

Because if you are then the usual rules don't apply to you.
Bump your protein up to 1g/lb, eat at maintenance calories and don't worry about anything else because you WILL grow if the training stimulus is there.
In fact, you could also eat at a small deficit (20%) and still gain muscle so....enjoy the newbie effect while it lasts

 

[drunkmonk]

Slightly surprised no one brought this up but - are you a real noob? As in less than 6 months training?

Because if you are then the usual rules don't apply to you.
Bump your protein up to 1g/lb, eat at maintenance calories and don't worry about anything else because you WILL grow if the training stimulus is there.
In fact, you could also eat at a small deficit (20%) and still gain muscle so....enjoy the newbie effect while it lasts

No I'm not a noob. I'm pretty much a noob here and with communicating with people on weight lifting and diet. I used to just read magazines back in the day, and read online these days. I've had some success on my own but am looking to step up my game.

 

[drunkmonk]

I'm also into the "good fats" these days. Having a ball with it. Olive oil, nuts, salmon, and I'm throwing organic whole milk in the mix. Just sayin'... not sure why.

 

[Mrrippedzilla]

No I'm not a noob. I'm pretty much a noob here and with communicating with people on weight lifting and diet. I used to just read magazines back in the day, and read online these days. I've had some success on my own but am looking to step up my game.

In that case this is the order of importance: adherence > calories > macros > micros (clean foods or whatever) > supps > timing > other bullshit

 

[Milton]

My only say is to advice you to buy the fruits and vegetables from the local farmers markets.

 

[cybrsage]

Locally grown always tastes better too. I am sure there are scientific reasons why, but I prefer the "cause it feels good to keep local people in business" taste.