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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.
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.