There are 30 Grams of Protein in this Essay

Collage by Darya Shauchenka 

If you have been online over the past two years you have certainly come across

protein-related content. TikTok recipes; Instagram posts of best protein packed Trader Joe’s products; and the endless memes about the word “protein” getting slapped onto every single snack imaginable: It feels as though protein has become nearly impossible to avoid.

In 2020, the world was faced with a global pandemic, completely upending life as we knew it. Many were forced to come face-to-face with the truth of health’s utmost importance, ushering in a cultural  turn towards “healthy living” and a reassessment of our diet.

Our current obsession with protein, and the re-integration of red meat is a sharp pendulum swing from the late 2010s when it was all about going vegan. But since when is protein popcorn the face of health? 

There is endless information about the health benefits of eating protein packed meals, most of which are based on scientific research. It is beneficial, especially when paired with an active lifestyle. But is this actually a positive development in collective awareness of health, or is it hiding a bigger problem? 

In the many videos you see online, it’s the average American cramming protein-packed snacks into their daily diets. Not just gym bros, but also office girlies who commute everywhere by car. Do we really need to consume this much processed protein in our daily lives, considering we’re not moving as often as we should? Is this really a turn towards healthy living or simply a new repackaged fad-diet? 

It would be lovely to believe that our turn to protein is a positive sign, that we as a nation are trying to be conscious of our diet’s impact on our health. You’re led to believe that Starbucks’ new protein matcha will keep you full and energized throughout your day, that you can maintain a healthy lifestyle by munching on slop bowls and protein snacks. 

We are all becoming health-obsessed, as national infrastructure for keeping Americans healthy is rapidly being dismantled. As individuals we are left to grasp ideas of what ‘being healthy” means and make do with them on our own. We understand that micro-nutrients like protein are crucial, yet we often overlook all of the other key components for a balanced diet and lifestyle. At this moment there is a large conversation surrounding health, further amplified by MAHA’s broad blanket statements about food and nutrition, yet there are minimal scientific-backed programs or resources in place to educate and support, and even the ones that exist are running thin. You are left with vague ideas of what to eat from online content and end up choosing items with the loudest statements about nutrition and energy fuel.

What might have been an opportunity for education and a genuine reassessment of America’s diet was turned into an overly simplified packaged item. Protein isn’t inherently evil, but now it bears the weight of diet and nutrition at large as the “one all be all”. Until we solidify resources and develop a support-system backed by our government and our doctors, Americans will continue struggling when it comes to nutrition, reaching for the “easier” choice on the shelves.

Darya Shauchenka