Every food commercial, advertisement, and packaging in the US is currently protein obsessed. I just bought 3 burritos, and the most noticeable thing on the entire package is its protein content. TV commercials about waffles are advertising that they have X amount of protein per serving. The products in my jobsite’s vending machine have protein all over every package.

Did America have a protein thing recently?

  • Praxinoscope@lemmy.zip
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    6 days ago

    As a vegan, it’s annoying. This obsession makes everyone concerned “where I get my protein.”

    But no one seems to track their fiber, sodium, iron, riboflavin, etc. and would be miffed if I constantly asked people about it.

    • Zachariah@lemmy.world
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      6 days ago

      “Oh, I’m good on protein intake. Thank you. But now that you mention it: I have been wondering how to bring up my concern for your possible riboflavin deficiency…”

      • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
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        5 days ago

        Fiber however is something most Americans actually don’t get enough of. Like, to the tune of 95% of Americans don’t get enough. We eat way too much meat and ultra processed low fiber foods, and not nearly enough leafy greens, legumes, or fresh fruit (not juice)

        • psud@aussie.zone
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          5 days ago

          As someone on a zero fibre diet, I would argue that there is no such thing as too little fibre. Those people have a problem of eating low quality food and food shaped stuff, the fibre is incidental

            • psud@aussie.zone
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              5 days ago

              That’s not a problem I have ever had. Shit is easy on the no fibre diet

              • SlurpingPus@lemmy.world
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                4 days ago

                Do you want to know how I know that you’re twenty-five or thereabouts, and definitely under thirty years old?

                Shit is easy on the no fibre diet

    • grandel@lemmy.ml
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      6 days ago

      People’s diets generally consists of meat and carbs so they think a vegan will eat the same minus the meat.

    • SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca
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      5 days ago

      Gym brahs often have vitamin deficiency and the increase in colon cancer under 30 is really disturbing.

      Do you even colostomy, bra?

    • TheUnicornOfPerfidy@feddit.uk
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      5 days ago

      You might be interested in my reply above then. Essentially, thats part of why the obsession exists. I’m finding it hard to state it in a none conspiracy theorist way, but it’s largely right wing anti science grifters winning an argument against health.

    • Trilogy3452@lemmy.world
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      6 days ago

      Wouldn’t you get most of the other nutrients fairly easily as long as you eat a varied diet? Accounting proteins/carbs/fats (and their sub-category types) seems harder

      • Whats_your_reasoning@lemmy.world
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        6 days ago

        A varied diet provides protein as well.

        Science time! Proteins are made up of amino acids. Certain chains of amino acids form “complete proteins,” which are what most people think of as “protein.” However, the constituent amino acids connect with each other in our bodies even if they’re obtained from different sources. So two sources of “incomplete” proteins can still provide “complete proteins” if both are consumed. Which means it’s a lot easier to get your protein from a varied, vegan diet than most people might think.

        Incomplete vs complete proteins on WebMD.

    • LH0ezVT@sh.itjust.works
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      6 days ago

      Honestly, while probably annoying, that is not a bad first question. It shows concern for your wellbeing and (hopefully) willingness to learn.

    • dreamkeeper@literature.cafe
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      5 days ago

      I track my fiber and protein. Protein because I’m physically active and trying to build muscle, and good god I have to eat a lot of it. I would not eat enough without tracking.

      Fiber because I had ass issues recently, and found out the hard way how important fiber is. Yeah I know, I’m a dumbass, but I’m doing better now.

      High fiber/high protein diet is a great way to help with weight loss too.

    • masterspace@lemmy.ca
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      6 days ago

      Its not because of obsession, it’s because it’s literally the starting point for nutrition knowledge, and it’s the most obvious thing that would be lacking in a vegan diet. When people think substantial protein they think meat first and dairy and eggs second.