Why is everyone obsessed with eating as much protein as possible?

[Korner]

Is it due to weigh training, trying to stay satiated?

All of a sudden everyone is trying to maximise protein.

@CortieTat no I don’t think telling people just to eat more protein is helpful as all it does is mean they go out and buy the UPF whey powders or the fortified foods like the puddings and yoghurts. People need to understand what they are eating and why, and work out what’s best for them. For me, protein keeps me fuller for longer and I AM trying to build some muscle which is why my macro is the way it is. There is a huge lack of understanding about nutrition because it’s so complex and not one size fits all. I could never keto as I dislike all the side effects and also I don’t enjoy eating that way. There must be some enjoyment! I eat cheese as I love cheese but also it is a good source of my protein and fat when I am not wanting to use protein shakes, I try not to drink my calories. I eat fish as I like fish and it’s a good source of protein. We shouldn’t eat protein for the sake of it really and no one needs 150g a day or anything unless you are training for sports

I don’t want to be an obese 80 yo or a frail one so I am trying to find the middle ground.

Maybe the message should just be to be mindful you are getting a balance, and protein is one of them and takes a little bit more effort and imagination (along with the right fats) - it’s very easy to eat the carb portion of a balanced diet but not sure everyone appreciates the benefits of protein and fats and it just becomes a tick box on MFP

It's not new. My PT has been advising this since I joined him in 2018.

Protein is needed to build muscle. Muscle burns more calories than the fat on your body. More muscle means an increased metabolism... in very simple terms. You can't spot reduce fat, it comes off all over, but you can choose where to build muscle.

I've always found that a high protein diet combined with training is the easiest way to get in shape. Who wants to be a skinny person with fat all over them?!

Haven’t read the full thread but basically protein helps maintain muscle mass, particularly as you age.
Muscle mass burns calories at rest so keeps weight off more than fat mass.
This should be assumed to be in the context of weight bearing resistance exercise which promotes muscle building and maintenance of bone density (reducing the risk of osteoporosis).
Protein can easily be obtained from plant sources or vegetarian sources. I rarely eat meat but get plenty of protein from yoghurt, beans, chickpeas, legumes and nuts.
It helps to think less about losing weight, more about building muscle. If you get strong, over time the balance of your body composition changes. It’s hard after menopause but even more reason to do it.

My dm has been on 'Atkins' for donkeys years! Same thing, low carb, high fat/protein.

Many people unfortunately interpret this as “if I sit and inhale chicken I will build muscle” which is obviously not true. Weight bearing exercise is the necessary part.

I also eat a lot of legumes and I said in my posts that they were great food overall, but they are higher in carbs than in protein, so a diet high in pulses won’t be low carb/high protein.

For me, I've hugely upped my protein intake since I started with a PT in September. I now realise I ate very little but now aim for 100g per day (I weigh 68kg) I now lift weights I never dreamt of lifting, have very defined muscles and am the strongest I've ever been at nearly 48.

Protein in my diet has definitely been a factor but I also calorie count (1500 per day) and IF (16:8) so all this has increased my fitness and changed my body shape.

I don’t believe in low carb as well - if you are exercising your body needs fuel. So does your brain. Healthy low processed carbs in sensible amounts are necessary. Whole meal bread/ sourdough/ brown rice/ grains/ brown pasta. In moderation, with a heap of vegetables as the main ingredient and some healthy fats too.

High protein has been a thing for anyone involved in strength training for years. Strength training fitness influencers and having a body with muscle definition has become mainstream fashionable over the last couple of years, hence the crossover.

Protein supplements have always existed but used to be limited to specialist shops whereas now added protein foods are available in supermarkets.

Many people interested in weight loss have also caught on that a target of eating higher protein tends to be easier mentally than a target of 'eat less junk'. Though chicken salads for diets isn't new!