breakfast protein synthesis

Nutrition Q&A [Moderated]
1

hello again Dr. Feigenbaum,

I have a question about protein intake. I understand that I need roughly 25g of protein for a protein synthesis event to occur, but find it difficult to eat that much first thing in the morning. By 10:00 a.m. I am ready for a big meal with high protein. So here’s the question: If I eat one boiled egg for breakfast with toast, will the protein count towards my daily protein intake? Or should I just skip the low protein meal and start my day with the 10 a.m. high protein (40g) meal? I would like to have something small like a piece of toast when I wake up but I can also skip it if it doesnt help my muscle gainz.

2

Yes, the protein will count towards your daily protein intake and I don’t think this is a huge deal outcome wise. In other words, I don’t think you’ll notice a difference in one scenario over the other.

3

well that’s good news but I think may have misunderstood a youtube Q&A you did on protein synthesis and that a minimum (c.a. 25+g) must be met to cause a,protein synthesis event. I assumed this had to be ingested at one time each meal between 3-5 hours fasting. So the meals with low protein would not be useful in creating a,muscle growing event.

4

I don’t think discussing meal to meal protein dynamics is useful nor do I think we can confidently give you the answer you’re looking for in a way that should effect your management.

5

so I don’t want this response to be misunderstood so, no disrespect intended, but why would you make a video on protein synthesis, leucine, and meal timing if it wasn’t important? Nutrition lecture Pt. 2: Protein, Carbohydrates, and fat https://youtu.be/qg2UlG4QsSM from 2:00 … were you talking only about athletes?

6

Because the topic IS IMPORTANT, but not in the context of the question you’re asking.

You asked if eating ~15g of protein will count towards your daily protein intake. Yes it will.

Then you asked if eating that with a big meal later- presumably sooner than 3 hrs post meal- will be okay. Yes it will.

You will not notice one bit of difference in any outcome if you didn’t have that small meal first thing.

Sure, we’d like all our meals to be nice and neat in discreet feedings, but what are you gonna do, not eat?

Calories are more important here and again- I wouldn’t micromanage anything about your protein intake.