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
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This is Ira Glass, the host of This American Life. So much is changing so rapidly right now with President Trump in office. It feels good to pause for a moment sometimes and look around at what's what.
To try and do that, we've been finding these incredible stories about right now that are funny and have feeling and you get to see people everywhere making sense of this new America that we find ourselves in. This American Life, wherever you get your podcasts. And a lot of us are getting started on our New Year's resolutions. 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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