Latest news with #highprotein
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
'Yuck!': Guardian Australia staff taste test viral 'healthy' TikTok mousse recipes
Boiled eggs? Tofu? Avocado? Are these high-protein, low-sugar alternative mousse recipes the new way to make the chocolate dessert? TikTok certainly seems to think so. Guardian Australia staff put them through a taste test so you can decide if you should try making these at home – or give them a miss and keep scrolling instead
Fox News
22-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Doctor rejects Vanity Fair's protein-MAGA connection, saying health ‘doesn't have a political belief'
After a recent Vanity Fair article attempted to slam high-protein diets and connect the dietary choice to the MAGA movement, one of the doctors mentioned in the article is speaking out. Dr. Gabrielle Lyon rejected the politicization of high-protein diets, telling Fox News Digital, "Health is for everybody. Health doesn't have a political belief, nor should it. It should be about unifying us and making us stronger. Because at the end of the day, if you have a strong country... then you have... Strong character, strong children." Dr. Lyon is a board-certified physician and bestselling author of "Forever Strong," and she promotes the importance of a high-protein diet and resistance training. "What a wasted opportunity to actually correct some of the science. The reality is, the majority of individuals are overweight or obese. According to the dietary reference intake, the majority of us, 95% or so, are over-consuming refined carbohydrates and grains. We're not over consuming high-quality proteins," Dr. Gabrielle Lyon told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview. The May 1 article titled "Why Are Americans So Obsessed With Protein? Blame MAGA," attempts to compare Americans eating a diet aimed at promoting muscle growth and longevity to the MAGA political movement. The piece claims that American "protein mania" has been building over the last few decades and says the trend is part of the "manosphere," an umbrella term for sites and influencers that promote masculinity and anti-feminism. Despite the Vanity Fair article focusing almost entirely on men, Dr. Lyon said women are realizing the importance of protein and being strong. "We're really entering an era where women want to be strong and recognize the importance of it. And listen, muscles for everybody. We need more women who believe in strength," she said. Dr. Lyon is described in the article as a "prominent pro-protein online personality" with content primarily targeted towards women. In response to her mention, Dr. Lyon said, "What does it matter that I've had over a decade of training from some of the world-leading scientists? I think it was unfortunate. It was very unfortunate and truly a missed opportunity from the writers to be able to highlight the importance, and of course correct what's happening in our country." Additionally, Dr. Lyon argued that the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is too low. The RDA suggests adults should obtain 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. The article makes the claim of more men being interested in increasing protein in their diets. "I don't have a good sense on what's driving that right now, other than if it's just the usual manosphere—or manomania, here in the United States," Pieter Cohen, an internist at Cambridge Health Alliance and associate professor, mentioned in the piece. Cohen made this claim because he said he had more male patients bring up the interest of increasing protein than women patients. "Why wouldn't a woman want to be strong and take care of this tissue, and also, weights, and red meat is not just for guys, it's for everybody," Lyon said. "Protein is the most essential macronutrient and, actually, it's the only macronutrient that we need more of as we age. Of course, there's carbohydrates, but the body can generate its own carbohydrates based on the food that you're eating. And the need for essential fatty acids is very low. But protein, dietary protein, while we call it protein, it's actually made up of 20 different amino acids. And each of these amino acids do various things that are critical for overall health, and it's not interchangeable," she added.
Vogue
12-05-2025
- Health
- Vogue
Could Your High-Protein Diet Ruin Your Gut?
We are living in the age of the high-protein diet. It's in everything—supercharged coffee, high-performance snack bars, even hidden in popcorn. Social feeds are thick with 100-grams-per-day declarations, but somewhere along the way, carbs became the villain of the wellness story. For some, what started as a clinical macronutrient has morphed into a personality trait—and a slightly obsessive one. But behind the aesthetic promise of the high-protein diet (leaner limbs, glossier hair, the sacred metabolic boost), there's a quieter story playing out in the gut. According to nutritionist Payal Kothari, author of The Gut, the rise of the high-protein diet has been driven by a mix of vanity and virality. 'Social media, aesthetic goals, and the fashionization of gym culture have glamorized protein to the point of obsession,' she says. 'The fear of carbs and the belief that protein equals weight loss or muscle gain is everywhere. While protein is essential, this obsession is often overblown, especially when it overshadows fibre, healthy fats, and diversity in the diet.' The math itself is revealing. For most non-athletic adults, Kothari says, 'the requirement is about 0.8 to 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.' A far cry from the triple-digit figures often peddled online. 'Influencers often push 100 grams plus daily, which may suit bodybuilders but overwhelms the average person's gut and kidneys, especially if not balanced with fiber, water, and movement,' she adds. So what happens when you lean too far into the high-protein diet? 'The gut loves diversity and fibre, not just meat,' says Kothari. 'A meat-heavy, fiber-poor diet fuels bacteria that produce inflammatory compounds like ammonia and trimethylamine. This can trigger bloating, constipation, and even gut lining damage, especially when red meat dominates your plate.' In short: your microbiome wants a buffet, not a single-food obsession. And when the fiber's missing, things go downhill—fast. 'When intake goes above 2gms per kg of body weight, it can overwhelm digestion and produce harmful byproducts in the colon. Without fiber to balance it, excess protein ferments poorly, also leading to bloating, migraines, and disrupts the microbial ecosystem completely.' It's not just about numbers, either. It's about how that imbalance shows up in your everyday life. 'It slows everything down,' Kothari notes. 'You'll likely feel constipated, gassy, or even foggy. Fiber is the food for your good bacteria. Without it, your gut bugs starve, and digestion becomes sluggish and inflamed.'
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
From Kardashian popcorn to pancakes - is the protein health craze worth it?
"High-protein" versions of snacks and food staples are all over our supermarket shelves - from pancakes and pasta, to rice pudding and oven pizza. Celebrities are getting in on the act too. Khloe Kardashian unveiled Khloud Protein Popcorn a fortnight ago, which she described as "the perfect combination of a tasty snack and a boost of protein to fuel your day", while Zac Efron promoted a protein-rich porridge in January. But is this increased advertising of protein just a marketing gimmick or are these products actually useful if you're trying to build muscle or live a healthy life? And is it worth the extra cost? Sales of them are rising; figures shared with BBC News by the research agency Mintel show that, excluding sports nutrition items, 8.3% of food product launches made claims about being a source of protein, or having high levels of it, in the first three months of 2025. That was up from 6.1% in 2024 and 4.6% the year before. Kiti Soininen, a research director at Mintel, says protein claims are being added to food with naturally high levels of the nutrient, like chicken breasts and pulses, but also on products you wouldn't expect. "Mousses, desserts, granola, pancakes, even the odd pizza, are coming through with a high-protein claim," she says. "Protein is enjoying a bit of a 'health halo' at the moment." Ethan Smith, a personal trainer in Liverpool, says high-protein diets are necessary for building muscle but that it ought to be done without the high protein snacks and drinks you see in shops. "I'm a huge believer that there is nothing better than whole foods," he says. "You can get the protein that you need from vegetables and lean meats." He believes the convenience of high-protein snacks, combined with the positive perception of the nutrient among customers, has led to manufacturers using protein as a marketing tool. For manufacturers to claim their product is a source of protein, they must show regulators at least 12% of its energy value is provided by protein. To make a claim that a product is high in protein, the figure is 20%. To help reach these scores they can add protein-rich ingredients to their products, like nuts and pulses, or make them more dense by removing water. "When someone in a rush is getting a meal deal for lunch, you can see why they would reach for a protein bar or drink instead of two boiled eggs," he says. "In my 12 years as a personal trainer, I've never seen as much hype around the benefits of protein as I am now." The benefits of protein range from muscle building and sports performance to helping with weight loss by suppressing appetite and helping women during pregnancy. If you're trying to build muscle you need to consume around 1.6g of protein per kilogram of your body weight each day, says Dr Paul Morgan, a university lecturer in human nutrition. He says for the average person trying to ensure their general health, this figure should be around 1.2g. He thinks many of the supermarket products advertising their protein content are "gimmicky" and warns they might not be as good for you as advertised. "I think they do have a benefit but we are wary that a lot of them are ultra processed foods and that's a really topical area [in our field] that we don't know enough about," he says. 75 Hard: Is the TikTok fitness challenge really worth it? Can green 'super powders' really make you healthy? How much protein do you really need to get strong? Ultra-processed foods have come under scrutiny recently with one study published last month linking them to early death. He explains that researchers in his field are trying to understand the differing impact on muscles that two similar protein sources might have when one of them is ultra-processed. Another issue is calories because putting on weight is the most common problem people have when they are trying to consume more protein, Dr Morgan explains, as any excess is stored in the body as fat. Some protein advertised snacks and drinks can have as many calories as regular products using similar ingredients. Nature Valley's protein peanut and chocolate bars have 489kcal per 100g, while Cadbury's peanut brunch bars, which also contain chocolate, have 485kcal at the same weight. Dr Morgan dismisses theories that eating too much protein can damage your bones or harm your kidneys, though there are exceptions if you have a pre-existing health condition. Despite his concerns over ultra-processed protein products, Dr Morgan sees the benefit of increased protein in staple foods. These might be particularly useful to elderly people who need more protein than the average person to maintain strength in their muscles and bones. Tesco's high-protein penne pasta contains 8.8g of protein per 100g, while their normal penne contains 5.8g of protein for the same weight. However, customers pay more for this as the high protein-penne costs £4.80 per kg. The normal penne costs £1.29 per kg. So is it worth buying these protein advertised products? It might be if you're someone who needs more protein to maintain your health or if you're trying to build muscle and need just a little bit extra to meet your daily protein goal, says Ethan. "If the majority of your diet is whole foods and you need that extra 20g of protein to hit your goal and want something sweet - then go for that pudding or snack," he tells us. "Having balance is important - but you shouldn't be relying on them." He adds: "When I started my career, people used to talk about whey protein just as a supplement to your diet. Now the number of companies putting protein on anything and everything is insane." The appetite for protein bars gives much to chew on How the power of protein is being uncovered Protein drinks should carry health warning - coroner
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Aussie raves about 'best supermarket nuggets ever' - and they're healthy: 'I've seen nothing like these'
A $9 chicken snack from Woolworths is being hailed as a 'macro-friendly' game changer - and it's flying off shelves across the country. The supermarket's chicken breast bites have earned cult status online after a fitness content creator shared a now-viral video praising their surprisingly high protein content and low calorie count. Namrita Nikita, known for her high-protein food finds, couldn't contain her excitement in a recent clip. 'I wanted to gatekeep it, but I'm not going to,' she told her followers. 'I need to put all of you on [the Woolworths chicken breast bites]. 176 calories and 16.4g of protein per 100g - are you kidding me? That's the best macros for nuggets that I've seen on the market.' Ms Nikita air-fried hers at 200 degrees for 12 minutes, rating the bites a 10 out of 10 for flavour, texture and value 'Nice flavour, decent size, tender and moist on the inside,' she said. 'You can have eight of these nuggets for [fewer] calories and more protein than a six-pack from McDonald's.' She even shared her personal hack: 'Go to McDonald's and get 20 sweet and sour sauces so you can have these low-calorie nuggets with sweet and sour sauce at home.' Unlike some health products which are plastered with fitness claims, the chicken bites aren't even marketed as a diet food, which has only added to their appeal. 'This is your sign to read the packaging. I was doing my daily walk through Woolies when I came across this new line,' Ms Nikita wrote in her caption. Others clearly agree. Reviews on Woolworths' site and social media echo the excitement, with fans raving about the taste, convenience, and macro-friendly profile. 'They're so yum and high in protein. A lovely snack and so easy to make. I'm going to buy it more often,' one shopper said. Another added: 'Family favourite. The family loved these chicken bites. They are on the more expensive side for chicken bites, but the family definitely thinks they are worth it.' 'Delicious! These did not last long in our household. Definitely good value for money and they tasted great,' another reviewer wrote. 'A healthy alternative to some options currently available. We will and have continued to purchase these.' Even toddlers are hooked. 'My 2-year-old loves these and I have bought them several times now. They seem like a fresher, more wholesome version of a nugget,' one parent shared. Many customers have reported their local stores running out, with one fan commenting, 'Love this product - it's always sold out at my local store.'
