You probably don't need foods with added protein, nutritionists say

The human body needs protein. Proteins carry out countless functions inside cells and they are vital for the growth, repair and maintenance of muscles, bones and skin. And with food companies rolling out high-protein versions of a huge range of foods, including milkshakes and granola bars — and even pancakes and popcorn — you might be tempted to think you need to add more to your diet.

But nutritionists say that if you are getting enough food, you are probably getting enough protein.

“Adding protein to foods is very beneficial — for the profits of that food,” said Federica Amati, nutrition lead at Imperial College London and head nutritionist at the health science company ZOE. “It is not based on health, it is not backed by science.”

8 comments

This is not necessarily true. If you eat a lot of processed foods, as is the case with most people in the US, then you will most likely be eating a majority of carbohydrates and sugar. Even processed meats contain more filler than actual meat. Real protein is not profitable unless it's added in, in some stripped down form.
- Yep I calculated my own average intake and it’s abysmal since I don’t typically eat a lot of meat and can’t have nuts or soy.
  Intentional chicken and beans plus whey protein shakes or I start getting tired and migraine-y.
This article doesn't cite any real literature or studies. It cites a "expert opinion" a "nutritionist" as its only source.
It doesn't even speak to DIAAS scores, or where the RDA g/kg intake comes from. It doesn't speak of how to measure protein deficiencies and the signs of it (sarcopenia for example).
It conflates being full with getting enough bioavailable protein. It doesn't even talk about crude protein vs essential amino acids.
Protein on food labels is measured by nitrogen content (crude protein). Humans can only use protein that has all the essential amino acids. Nitrogen is not a amino acid, so added protein is almost certainly not bioavailable protein, and unusable. Your daily protein requirements should be satisfied with a complete protein source like animal foods (or a high DIAAS scoring plant )
The gym bros in our class once had to do a presentation on protein. They stopped drinking their protein shakes after that.
- Why?
  
  Because of the things from the article. An average person eats more than enough protein (although according to one comment here that's not necessarily the case in the US). Anyways they concluded that they definitely didn't need the protein shakes due to their normal diet containing enough protein to support their activity levels.
Lol a "nutritionist".
- ‘Nutritionist’ can be used by random people claiming to know something about nutrition but is also applied to people with expertise and relevant academic degrees.
  The people quoted in the article seem to have relevant degrees and experience.

8 comments