In today’s diet culture, one word has dominated the conversation: protein. Protein has become the default answer to any and all of our dietary struggles, but why protein? Surely, there have been dietary fads in the past–honorable mentions including keto diets, juice cleanses, and intermittent fasting. Yet, the new obsession with protein has become so absurd to the point in which large corporations are catering and marketing their products to support specifically high-protein diets.
Social media trends driven by influencers that center content around health and wellness often promote “high-protein diets” as a guaranteed way to stay fit, strong, and healthy. These trends often target young adults participating in sports, avid gym-goers, or individuals invested in the food they consume.
Of course, it is perfectly okay to want to stay active and focus on the nutrients your body requires to stay healthy and physically capable. However, new diet trends persuaded by the growing impact of social media have become increasingly toxic and harmful to adolescents who are still developing. On top of this, the profitable market that high-protein food items have established makes it easy for companies to manipulate supplements to seem like they’re “healthy,” even when they are filled with added sugars and pernicious chemicals.
To understand the true impact of protein, it’s crucial to identify the science behind the macronutrient. There are three main reasons our bodies need protein: building, repairing, and digesting.
Build – protein is crucial to the process of building bones, muscle, cartilage, and skin.
Repair – protein allows for speedy tissue recovery after exercise or injury, and reduces muscle loss
Digest – ½ the dietary protein you eat is used to create enzymes, aiding digestion and forming new cells
Clearly, there are numerous benefits to adding protein to your diet. However, when does it become too much? Can consuming too much protein become harmful? A concise answer– yes. Individuals who consume more protein than recommended have a higher risk of developing kidney stones.
Additionally, many red meat sources that are used frequently for protein also contain high amounts of saturated fats that leads to a higher risk of heart disease and colon cancer.
Focusing a diet on a single macronutrient while neglecting other important nutrients can be just as harmful as not eating any protein at all. In high school, finding balance in day-to-day meals is vital to staying healthy and strong.
SHS athletes are part of the population being increasingly impacted by protein trends. We asked various athletes how their diet and lifestyles during the season are impacted by protein.
