You might be overdoing it on protein and not getting enough of another vital nutrient, dietitians say

If you're eating enough during the day, you're likely meeting or exceeding your protein needs, experts say.

May 26, 2025 - 13:36

You might be overdoing it on protein and not getting enough of another vital nutrient, dietitians say

If your social media algorithm has pointed you in the direction of diet, weight-loss, or even general nutrition content, it’s likely you’ve come across “high-protein” recipes or influencers who swear by protein-heavy keto or carnivore diets. Where did this obsession with protein come from, and is it worth all of the energy it’s given?

Protein is a little more complicated than social media makes it out to be, dietitians tell Fortune—and the obsession is distracting people from meeting other vital nutritional needs.

“We don’t even need to think about [grams of] protein per day,” says Federica Amati, head nutritionist at the UK-based nutrition and science company Zoe, known for its personalized blood glucose monitoring and gut health testing.

Here’s what dietitians want you to know about protein and overall nutrition.

Why do we need protein?

Protein is a macronutrient made up of amino acids. It’s an essential structural component of our cells, tissues, hormones, and enzymes, and numerous other bodily functions. A continual supply of amino acids through the protein we eat is crucial for cell and tissue growth.

Protein is beneficial for overall health, says registered dietitian Abbey Sharp. “Protein has tremendous benefits for weight management, satiety, immunity, hair, nails, muscle growth, and metabolism maintenance,” she says.

Why are we so obsessed with protein?

You can see evidence of the preoccupation with protein on grocery store shelves, which are filled with shakes, cereal, powders, and even toaster pastries that claim to be packed with the nutrient. Meanwhile, social media is teeming with ways to get more protein in your diet: People are mixing protein shakes with Diet Coke, crafting high-protein ice cream, and posting what they eat in a day to hit high protein goals. There are over 2.7 million Instagram posts with the hashtag #highprotein.

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