Do "meat sweats" gauge protein over-consumption?

(Brian) #1

This may be an odd question, but it’s something I wondered… Do “meat sweats” guage protein overconsumption?

The reason I ask is because there were two nights last week that I noticed the same thing. The first, I had a large stuffed chicken breast as a part of supper and before the meal was over, I ate a second rather large stuffed chicken breast. I overate, and I know I did, it was too much food. But they were sooooo good. About 2:00am, I awoke with a bit elevated heart rate (nothing scary) and I was hot. Went to the bathroom for just a normal #1 and back to bed. Totally normal upon waking in the morning.

The second time was last night. Had made a sous vide chuck roast that sat in the sous vide for 2.5 days and then had about 2.5 hours in the smoker. DANG that was good, I think the best I’ve ever had. Too good. I ate quite a bit more of it than I normally would. Once again, about 2:00am, I awoke with a bit elevated heart rate and hot. And once again, this morning, everything back to normal.

The first time that happened, not recently, I was a little freaked out by it, wondered what was going on. But it’s happened that way several times now that I know that before hand, I’ve had quite a bit more protein than I normally have. I’ve kinda figured that was what people call “meat sweats”.

And so I wondered, is that my body telling me that I had too much? And if so, would my body not giving me that signal be it’s way of letting me know that I didn’t overdo?

Maybe it’s not that simple.

FWIW, after the extra chicken breast, the weight on the scale was actually down 0.2 pounds on the scale the next morning. I didn’t weigh this morning since the family was all wanting their coffee (I seem to be the household coffee maker) and they didn’t want to wait on me to S.S.&S., and weigh myself… before they got their fix. LOL! (Don’t read that in a bad way. It’s a little humorous, really, but it’s hard to inflect that in written text.)

Anyway, was curious about whether others may have seen anything similar or maybe even had some sciency stuff that explains a little. Not really something I’m worried about. Mostly just curious.

:slight_smile:

(Chris) #2

About how many grams do you think you ate each night? I’ve had upward of 500g protein in the past with no sweats…obviously excessive amounts. I don’t think it’s related personally.

(Omar) #3

I eat 300 grams of steak. I think I can get a little raised heart pulse rate but nothing else.

it looks like your blood sugar may went down. What you described is symptom of low blood sugar.

(Brian) #4

I don’t have an exact amount, but I would guess an extra 70g or 80g of protein. I know that’s a good bit of meat. And like I said, I know I overate. It’s not something I do that often really… shouldn’t do it at all I don’t think… but occasionally…

I do also realize that when I overeat, there is a lot going on to digest all of it and the heart rate will bump up just because of that. So it is entirely possible that it’s not even about the protein at all.

Anyway, just something I was curious about. :slight_smile:

(Full Metal KETO AF) #5

If I overeat anything I feel hot in my body and often don’t sleep well either, so yes I do think it’s a thing.

Remember the old joke, “Doc, when I do this it hurts…” :cowboy_hat_face:

(Full Metal KETO AF) #6

Maybe think, “Great, I can get four awesome meals out of this and enjoy it all week!”

(Consensus is Politics) #7

[Doc replies] “Then dont go like this!” [walks off, huched over, with a big smile as he taps his cigar]

(Brian) #8

You are probably confirming that it’s not really the protein at all but rather the overeating.

It’s something I need to be mindful of as I know me well enough to know that it could become a habit, even with keto stuff.

And yes, also reminds me of the guy that got a sharp pain in his eye when he raised his coffee cup to get a sip… something to do with the spoon in the cup… :smiley:

Thanks!

(Consensus is Politics) #9

I buy a pack of 8 chicken thighs, with bone and skin. For roughly $3.50 at the Ft Bragg commissary. Costs about a dollar more at Walmart. Depends on exact weight of course, but not a bad price for 8 thighs.

As you just said, I can make that last a week if i really try. But im weak, so i often eat 4 of them at a time :cowboy_hat_face:

(Full Metal KETO AF) #10

I would eat two!

(Consensus is Politics) #11

Thats all? Did i mention they were butterfly filleted out to almost a foot long, a layer of cream cheese and sour cream spread across the top. Sprinkled liberally with crushed garlic, a little green onion, rolled up tight, and wrapped with a thick piece of bacon? Ok, well, i did just make two today, so that was all i could eat. But when i try to plan them out for more than one day, they just dont last. I know they are there. Its like schroedingers cat in the box, sort of. Its in the fridge waiting for tomorrow, or waiting to be eaten now. It exsists in both states until i look. If i look it doesnt make it to tomorrow :wink:.

(Full Metal KETO AF) #12

They do sound pretty damn tempting! I don’t usually recommend this as I have been cooking all my life but maybe you should consider making your food less delicious!:wink:

(Tamela Robinette) #13

Hi Robert! I am in Fayetteville too! Read your profile and we have similar stories. I don’t know if I was developing diabetes but I was definitely developing metabolic syndrome with high cholesterol, high blood pressure and mounting weight in my abdomen. I’m female, 5’7, and was 190 pounds prior to going keto. I’m 143 pounds now and addicted to running. I still have around 10 pounds I’d like to lose. It’s nice to see someone on here so close to home. I was born on Ft. Bragg, as was the hubby😁

(Todd Allen) #14

I used to frequently get night sweats when I ate high carb and was prediabetic. After a year of keto and normal blood sugar, 85 mg/dl typical fasting blood sugar, eating 60-90 g protein and roughly 30 g net carbs daily with roughly 50 kg lean mass I did a couple 3 month long tests of increased protein intake. First was 100-120 g protein and all was ok. The I tested 150-180 g protein daily and after a couple weeks my night sweats came back. My blood sugar also was creeping back up and returned to the borderline prediabetic range with fasting blood sugar often exceeding 100 mg/dl. I was using whey protein concentrate to get my protein intake high. Not sure I could as easily achieve the same effects eating meat.

(Brian) #15

I probably gave the impression that my “symptoms” were much more dramatic than they actually are. I’ve never actually been sweaty upon waking. But I’m warm, to the point where I typically want to kick the covers off, and I do. Also, the heart is not racing out of control, not even close, but is maybe 20 - 25 or so bpm higher than normal resting, enough that I notice, but certainly not enough to feel bad.

Interesting reading through your comments, though. Thanks for sharing!

#16

Protein has the highest TEF(thermic effect of food).

(Doug) #17

I think sometimes, but it cannot be counted upon nor will it be an accurate measurement, if present.

I’ve felt hot after eating high-protein, even in the context of limited calories, i.e. 400 - 800 per day. I had to believe in the thermic effect of protein, there. Yet it won’t always process that way, nor will it necessarily be there - I’ve eaten 6 lb/2.7 kg steaks and felt nothing as far as extra heat.

(Full Metal KETO AF) #18

Wow we have a winner folks! @OldDoug. Doug :pray::pray::pray::pray:our new spiritual leader! :cut_of_meat::cowboy_hat_face:

(Robert C) #19

I think it has more to do with your sleep time.

Lots of protein around lunch - no effect (I think).

4 or 5 PM over-consumption of protein with an 11 PM bedtime - no problem.

7 or 8 PM over-consumption of protein falling into sleep at 10 PM - Yes, wake up periodically feeling a bit warm.

(charlie3) #20

In December I started buying and eating substantial amounts of ground chuck, intending to try carnivore. I’m not doing it yet because I can’t bear to give up my very large dinner salad. In the mean time I’m eating all of that beef I can within maintenance calories. Similar to your experience it suddenly tastes SO good. Fortunately I have to cook only the amount I’m about to eat, otherwise I’d eat way to much of it. One possibility is my body wants more protein or more of something it’s not getting enough of. The idea that meat promotes satiety does not apply to me right now. Lately I have my butcher grind 70% lean to order for me. Today I bought 8 pounds. It’s all converted to 5 oz patties and will be gone in a week. It’s the most pallitable food I feel like eating. How does that happen?