Have We Taken the Protein Craze Too Far?

It’s hard to scroll social media without coming across a video from a creator who “prioritizes protein” or has a strict daily protein goal. 

These creators will show us all the things they do to hit these protein goals: Everything from making high-protein desserts to chugging egg whites to incorporating protein bars and powders and popcorn and cold foam and…well, you get the picture.

Obviously, protein is important…but has the craze gotten out of hand? It feels like we’ve reached a place where we can’t just eat something without making sure it is protein-ized, even if that something is a cookie or a bowl or ice cream. 

Anna Bohnengel, a registered dietician, agrees: The protein craze has gotten a little out of hand — at least to some degree. But that’s not to say protein is not incredibly important. 

“Many people are now chasing numbers with powders and bars instead of building meals from whole foods. Highly processed protein supplements often displace fiber, phytonutrients, and micronutrients that you get with real food sources like eggs, beans, dairy, fish, and meat,” says Bohnengel. “There are also legitimate concerns around contaminants, added sugars, artificial sweeteners, and poor bioavailability in some powders and bars.”

And this — this is exactly what feels so contradictory about the diet and wellness crazes we’re being fed (no pun intended). On the one hand, we’re told to focus on eating “clean” whole foods, yet on the other, we’re told to protein-ify every single thing we eat, and sometimes, those two things feel at odds with one another. 

The exact solution here isn’t super clear, but I do think it’s worth taking a step back and reevaluating how fixated we’ve all become on making every single thing “protein-packed”.

Here’s what we ought to keep in mind: “Hitting a protein target matters,” says Bohnengel. “But not at the expense of other nutrient & health concerns."