The US government says you should be proteinmaxxing. Experts say that can backfire - here's why.

"The U.S. government today announced that it's ending the "war on protein." If there's a war on, protein seems to already be winning it. The nutrient has dominated grocery lists, store aisles, and social media feeds for the past year. The protein obsession is big business, driving products like protein pancakes, protein popcorn, protein lattes, and more. Last fall, Starbucks debuted a $2 " protein foam" that you can add to any cold drink."

"Now it's the first word in the new dietary guidelines, straight from Robert F. Kennedy Jr's "Make America Healthy Again" playbook, with an emphasis on meaty meals like steak and chicken. But doctors and dietitians have been warning that protein is beginning to eclipse other crucial nutrients on Americans' plates. And, far from helping us cut back on ultra-processed foods, the protein craze has been a boon for food manufacturing, as protein has been added to health-ify chips, candy, pastries, and cereal."

U.S. policy now ends opposition to protein and elevates protein in new dietary guidance, prioritizing meat like steak and chicken. Protein sales and marketing have surged, appearing in pancakes, popcorn, lattes, snacks, and even Starbucks' protein foam. Nutrition experts warn that emphasis on protein risks crowding out other essential nutrients and has encouraged manufacturers to fortify ultra-processed foods. Protein supports muscles, bones, metabolism, and appetite control, and some people struggle to meet needs. The rise of strength training and GLP-1 weight-loss drugs has increased demand for protein to preserve muscle during weight loss and aging.

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