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The Protein-Obsessed Fast Food Industry's Latest Innovation: Big-Ass Cups of Plain Meat
(www.jezebel.com)
this post was submitted on 24 Jan 2026
306 points (96.9% liked)
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I want to start by saying I generally agree with the theme of the article that the average American already gets enough protein without needing to specifically target it in fast food. However, I think this is not entirely accurate:
That sounds low to me. I've seen nutritionist recommended minimums in the 50-70 range depending on weight, height, gender, and age, but recommended targets are higher. Especially for older men who are at higher risk of muscle loss with age, these recommended targets can be above 90 grams.
Edit: Getting several down votes, so let's add some sources.
0.8g per kg of weight, which comes out to about 55g per day for a 150 lb person, is a minimum, not an average: https://doi.org/10.3945/an.116.013821
Aging men may need to consume as much as 2g per kg of weight, which comes out to about 135g for a 150 lb man: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10030360
The issue here is that the entire conversation has been hijacked by tryhard fitness influencers selling protein supplements, so people are just tired of the "protein bruh. Protein" conversation entirely.
Yeah, I can understand that. I'm not in that space, so I wasn't aware. A similar craze happened for removing gluten from one's diet about 10-15 years ago, and after the hype died down a lot of the new options it spawned stuck around, which was great for people with celiac disease. Hopefully there will be a similar silver lining once this hype passes.
As well as big farma selling protein. I feel all this is the modern equivalent of the food pyramid from the 80s... Which was largely designed by grain producers. I straight up mistrust American science given its links to capitalism. Yes we need some protein but not the massive amount we're being told to consume. Plus it's the worst macronutrient for the environment and ethical consumption.
The real problem is so many different recommendations, but ….
I do see a higher amount consistently recommended as you get older, but never in the same sentence as exercise. I’m well past the age and weight where it takes intentional action to maintain muscle mass, and I really need to start doing that.
The algorithm started feeding me “Tai chi for older men”, so even that is telling me to exercise
If you want an amazing comprehensive overview that cites its sources check out https://examine.com/guides/protein-intake/#pOJz-how-much-protein-do-you-need-per-day
Athletes need 1.2 to 2 g per kg of bodyweight per day. The amount you need depends on your goals, are you trying to grow and perform, or just survive and subsist like the average sedentary Lemmy user.
Ain't nobody eating 2kg of protein per day.
You probably meant 1.2 to 2 grams per kg of body weight.
And don't make fun of us lemmy users, some of us actually get up out of chairs sometimes.
Yea I typos the crap put of that. I was falling asleep when I wrote it.