How much protein do you really need to consume?According to Pew Research Center, 79% of New Year's resolutions are about one thing: health. It's Been a Minute is kicking off 2025 with a little series called "new year, new me." We're getting into some of the big questions and cultural confusion around our health and wellness. Today – we're getting into the macronutrient du jour: protein. High protein recipes are all the rage on Instagram, and producers are putting it in everything from pancakes to ice cream. We all need to eat protein, but how much is enough? Brittany Luse is joined by Vox senior reporter Kenny Torrella and freelance food writer Samantha Maxwell to discuss America's protein kick - and how protein is getting politicized by MAHA (Make America Healthy Again). Support public media and receive ad-free listening & bonus. Join NPR+ today.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Chapter 1: What are the New Year's resolutions around health?
Yeah.
And according to Pew, 79% of New Year's resolutions are about one thing, health. But there are so many different aspects to our health, and it's hard to separate fact, fiction, and fad. We're kicking off 2025 with a little series called New Year, New Me. We're getting into some of the big questions and cultural confusion around our health and wellness.
This week, we're diving deep into a diet obsession that's been making me scratch my head, protein. If your algorithm is anything like mine, you've probably seen recipe videos like this one.
Let me show you how to make a quick and easy lunch that has over 60, yes, 60 grams of protein.
Now, protein is an essential macronutrient. We all need it. But I've been noticing some confusion about whether we're eating enough protein or not. So I went out on the street to see what the people think about their protein intake. I'm saying bulk of what you're eating. It should be more protein focused. How much protein do you think you eat in a day?
I want to say like 60 to 70 grams of protein. Okay. Do you think that's enough? I would say yes, but I have no idea.
I probably don't get enough. I should probably have more, but I know I definitely don't get enough protein.
It's honestly so confusing. And the obsession is so deep, it's even changed the way food producers market their products.
A few months ago when I was in Whole Foods, I saw ice cream that was advertised as being high in protein. That shows how protein has invaded even the dessert aisle.
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Chapter 2: Why is protein consumption so popular right now?
Well, I, for one, am a huge fiber girly and I welcome any and all to the Fiber Club. Samantha, Kenny, thank you so much for coming on today. I really appreciate it.
Thanks so much for having us.
Thanks for having us. That was food writer Samantha Maxwell and Vox senior reporter Kenny Torella. This episode of It's Been a Minute was produced by Liam McBain. This episode was edited by Jasmine Romero. Our executive producer is Veralyn Williams. Our VP of programming is Yolanda Sanguini. All right. That's all for this episode of It's Been a Minute from NPR. I'm Brittany Luce. Talk soon.
Support for NPR comes from NPR member stations and Eric and Wendy Schmidt through the Schmidt Family Foundation, working toward a healthy, resilient, secure world for all. On the web at theschmidt.org.
I'm Tanya Mosley, co-host of Fresh Air. At a time of sound bites and short attention spans, our show is all about the deep dive. We do long-form interviews with people behind the best in film, books, TV, music, and journalism. Here our guests open up about their process and their lives in ways you've never heard before. Listen to the Fresh Air podcast from NPR and WHYY.
This is Fresh Air contributor Anne-Marie Baldonado. I talked with actor Cole Escola about their hit Broadway play, Oh Mary. Cole plays an unhinged alcoholic Mary Todd Lincoln, who's an aspiring cabaret performer. If that makes no sense, that's part of the point. You can find my interview on the Fresh Air podcast.
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