Enough with the protein craze?

Hey everyone, I saw this article in the Wall Street Journal - "Americans Are Obsessed With Protein and It’s Driving Nutrition Experts Nuts." Apparently food companies are just slapping protein into everything, even stuff like candy and coffee. The article was saying, like, why not just eat real food, like a piece of chicken?
 
It's honestly kinda hard to get the amount of protein you are *supposed* to eat. I'm trying to gain lean mass myself. To get my protein intake with just lean meats is costly .
 
The official FDA Recommended Daily Allowance for protein is only 0.36 grams per pound of body weight. A lot of people are surprised when they find out that. The body building world often recommends much much more.
 
The FDA also gave us the food pyramid...lol. There are a TON of things that affect how much protein a person needs - activity level, what you're trying to accomplish, other health issues, etc. If you want to build muscle, you need way more than that 0.36g/lb. Maybe that's just how much you need to not die of malnutrition. I trust experts more than official recommendations. I also think the way we manufacture and process food in this country is horrendous. Living healthy is expensive.
 
For easy protein snacks, I like shrimp cocktail (good prices at the warehouse store). Also tuna sandwiches with a single slice of bread cut in half, or tuna on crackers. How about black beans with quinoa? I love black beans.
 
Hey @Clean_Journey I totally get that. Protein shakes are easy, and Greek yogurt. Someone suggested baby carrots or apple slices with nut butter for something easy to eat. I also like a poached egg on toast.
 
Yeah,
Clean_Journey said:
I struggle to get enough protein because I'm often nauseous now. Any tips for protein when everything sounds gross?
I've found that cold stuff is easier when I'm not feeling great. Egg salad on those mini bagel thins is good. Or even just a protein shake with yogurt mixed in.
 
When appetite is suppressed, focusing on nutrient-dense foods is key. Even small portions of lean protein, like fish or poultry, can make a difference. Also, consider liquid options like protein shakes or smoothies with added fruit and vegetables for essential vitamins and minerals.
 
Protein intake is huge. If he's not eating enough, the medication won't have much to work with. Hydration matters too - dehydration tanks energy levels fast.
 
When eating less overall it makes sense to really focus on getting enough fluids, fiber and protein in the day. A basic multivitamin wouldn't hurt either since you're consuming fewer calories total.
 
Hitting protein goals is tough. I lift 4x a week and struggle to get to 145g. Most days land around 100g. Not great but could be worse.
 
Studies show that for weight loss, 1.2–1.6 grams of protein per kg actually helps. For us older folks, that range is now recommended to keep muscle and mitochondria healthy, especially post-menopausal women. Turns out limiting protein doesn't preserve kidney function like we were told.
 
Back
Top