Extra Protein: Do You Really Need It?
We previously wrote about the fact that it is unfortunately a popular misconception that, as a healthy person with a varied diet, you should eat a lot of (extra) protein. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also states that eating large amounts of protein when you are otherwise healthy is completely unnecessary. So why are we being bombarded in the supermarket with products containing ‘Extra Protein!’?
There are several explanations for this. In an article in Levensmiddelenkrant, former FavorFlav colleague Renée Salomé gives a clear account of the trend of adding (unnecessarily) large amounts of protein to food products.
Even protein bombs are having protein added to them
These days, extra protein is even added to products that are naturally already rich in protein. To quark, peanut butter, cream cheese… why?? Apparently because people associate it with an active lifestyle, now that fit boys and girls showcase themselves on social media along with a protein-rich diet.
And apparently this has an appealing effect on people: the idea that you do not even have to exercise yourself to at least be able to eat healthily and sportily. That is what food designer and food trend watcher Mariëlle Bordewijk says. Incidentally, it is advisable for older people, people recovering from surgery, and pregnant and breastfeeding women to consume some extra protein. But not if you do not fall into one of these categories.
Plant-based is trending too
Bordewijk also sees a parallel development in the emerging trend of eating and drinking plant-based products. While animal products are often a good source of protein, vegetarians and vegans need to put together their diets with more knowledge in order to get enough protein without meat or animal products. Which is often much less difficult than non-vegans think, for example by eating pasta and ‘dough’ dishes made with legumes instead of wheat. Or, very tasty: a chickpea pancake!
Good reading
The article also looks ahead to the next food trend on the horizon: greater awareness of your microbiome, in other words your gut flora and how to keep it healthy. More and more research shows that this is directly connected to your overall health. Interesting stuff, and we definitely recommend reading the full article here!
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Source: Levensmiddelenkrant
