“They” believe that a covid shot puts a tracking device into your body.

The protein in everything has been going on for many years and ramped up the last 4 years or so. Lots of cereal w/protein showed up around 2 years ago, so I don't see it as jumping right on the bandwagon. Things like the cereal products, and most food in general, aren't created/marketed overnight, as it takes time to design, test and market a product.

I tried a couple of the protein cereals as a crunchy snack option, but didn't find any that tasted good to me. We buy Barilla pasta w/protein, which tastes pretty close to regular pasta, for the few times a year that we actually eat pasta.

Alton Brown is going to follow the new pyramid for a month. First he is having a physical, then eat according to the new guidelines for a month. After that he is going to have his numbers checked again. I’m anxious to see what happens.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTYSXXRCWmb/?igsh=MWhpd2pmeDdpbHYwMA==

Bbstx, do you think one month is really enough?

That should be interesting. Thanks for sharing. I will try to remember to check after his month.

I’m not disappointed in Alton Brown or really surprised, as I don’t expect ”celebrity chefs” to be arbitors of anything except taste.

With the huge surge in people taking GLP1 medicines that stress high protein eating, I suspect a surge in demand is responsible moreso than anyone caring about the new food pyramid

High protein everything has been around for a few years, and certainly before the new dork in charge of the CDC came along. I think the keto craze kicked it off.

I doubt Alton Brown is going to see any change in a month. It is more about prolonged dietary change than a quick and short dietary change.

I haven't looked this up but my adult kids were saying that the protein diets favored by the younger set may be responsible for the increased colon cancer in younger people because fiber intake is down.

I remember a friend in college being on a protein diet and losing a lot of weight. I guess the protein fad has waxed and waned over the years. I didn’t realize high protein was recommended for all the people on GLPs. Does that include protein powders, drinks, etc or actual food that’s high in protein?

Any time you lose weight, you're going to lose muscle and fat. People actively losing weight are generally encouraged to exercise and increase protein intake to minimize muscle loss.

Protein added to foods that don't naturally contain protein usually results in an ultra-processed product. And protein being added, or highlighted in marketing, has been around a while.

Carbs are actually equally if not more important than protein for building and maintaining muscle but it is not trendy to promote carbs, even good carbs like whole grains and oats.

Too high protein is linked to metabolic and kidney issues , especially if you have unknown CKD, as well.

I found plate by plate the simplest way to maintain a healthy diet. If you are a high energy athlete the plate should be half carbs, quarter protein and a quarter veggies/fruit. For a regular middle aged woman, like myself, each meal’s plate should consist of a quarter carb, quarter protein and half veggies/fruit.

Yes, getting adequate protein is important with any type of weight loss, BUT the bigger stimulator of muscle growth is resistance training over protein intake. It isn't even close. Taking in a lot of protein is like having the bricks, but the resistance training is the construction crew according to one of my colleagues who is one of the world's leading researchers in this. He literally did the research LOL. RT >>>>protein

The protein and kidney function link is pretty much debunked for normal people. That is just not true in meta analyses. Yes, people with early stages CKD have to watch protein, but those on dialysis need more protein because proteins are removed from the blood (family member renal dietitian).

The only change I am seeing in the store is big food manufacturers adding “high protein” labels to heavily processed foods to capitalize on the trend. Is it healthier than before the added protein? Probably. But is it still junk food? Probably.

The reality is that food manufacturers make less money when people buy simple ingredients and whole foods from the perimeter of the grocery store. Items like beans, chicken, and sweet potatoes have much lower profit margins than packaged, processed products.

Edited to add, this is definitely a conversation that we need to have but I think there are some big flaws in the execution.

@3katz "Does that include protein powders, drinks, etc or actual food that’s high in protein?"

I don't know if there are "official" recommendations about diet ingredients, except to be sure to eat plenty of protein, get lots of fiber and drink copious (to me) amounts of water.

When I started on Zepbound, I joined a couple of FB support groups and it's scary to see what people think a healthy diet is. Some people seem to get ALL their protein from bars and shakes and powders. Then they get constipated (a common side effect of the drugs) so they fill up on stool softeners, bulk/fiber increasing products and laxatives. Few of us are suggesting to eat more fruits and veggies and lay off the processed protein products. I do eat a protein bar each morning so I can take my ibuprofen with something in my tummy (I can't really eat too much first thing in the morning), but I did that before starting the drugs.

I don't know if it's because so many people are no longer cooking or what....but sometimes when I see the platefuls of food people do cook and post as examples of their meals, I just shake my head. And so many post that they don't like vegetables, don't eat any vegetables, so what can they eat? It's sad.

This is our typical dinner every day. The ” shop the perimeter” is how we have shopped and eaten for over 5 decades.

If we have a snack it is something like this banana bread I made yesterday. 700g of bananas and 1/2c oil makes 2- 9x5 loaves plus the 8 littles.

Breakfast just now: fruit , homemade yogurt , home flaked oatmeal with raisins and the same yogurt and homemade semolina toast .

I am always stunned at how many people say they go to Whole Foods and Trader Joes and shop the frozen aisles and the premade stuff. Wouldn’t be something we would eat but that’s just us. 🙏 c

That all looks so beautiful - I wish I had someone to cook like that for me :)

I don't think the protein labeling is necessarily new for this new pyramid - that has been going on for a while, but I'm sure food manufacturers will do what they can to take advantage of any changes. Like it was said above - there isn't as much money to be made from people who buy ingredients and cook for themselves.

As others have said, the store shelves are not reflecting the New Food Pyramid; things don't work that quickly. You are just noticing it because of the press around the topic. If you go on TikTok and the like all people do is find ways to add protein to everything.

The new food pyramid is nonsense. Oddly, the written guidelines accompanying it are not that bad and they actually conflict with the food pyramid! I guess it is another case of literally feeding red meat to the base! (and also assuming they only look at pictures, LOL)

BUT the bigger stimulator of muscle growth is resistance training over protein intake. It isn't even close. Taking in a lot of protein is like having the bricks, but the resistance training is the construction crew

This! Love the analogy, Adding protein powder to everything is silly. It behooves everyone to do exercise that maintains and or builds muscle mass.

" There are very smart experts who have influenced RFK Jr.'s approach to nutrition "

I wonder if that includes Kid Rock. 🙄

Are you familiar with the saying, 'you can't out exercise a bad diet?' Your diet also won't be able to counter the effects of the EPA blowing through air and water pollution restriction for the gas and oil industry and regulations on known harmful pesticides are being eliminated for use in our food production. It's smoke and mirrors. My guess is most of us here know what constitutes a healthy diet and what processed food products should be avoided most of the time. We can quibble about % of protein to carb to fat or even type of fat, but personally, I will not be taking my dietary advice from RFKjr.

Only about 20% of the population does resistance training, so there is giant room for improvements. I do see more older adults especially women in the weight room at the Y, but that is people who are active. There’s so many more that aren’t. Most of the people who come to the TRX class are over 55. Of course, this class is at noon on a Monday, so you have to get the demographic that’s available. That Y is in a corporate office park too.

Yes, protein powders and drinks, etc. are highly processed foods.

I have never taken my dietary advice from the government, or whoever was in charge at the moment, so nothing has changed for me.

Something has definitely changed at the store and the timing seems like more than a coincidence. If AI can be believed:

Yes, Costco has significantly increased the number of protein products on display, with a noticeable surge in high-protein, convenient, and "in-your-face" branded protein options throughout late 2025 and into early 2026. This aligns with a broader industry trend of increasing protein intake—targeting 1.2-1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight—following updated federal dietary guidelines and a new "inverted" food pyramid, which emphasizes protein, healthy fats, and dairy.

"In Your Face" Marketing: Shoppers have reported a heavy, noticeable increase in protein-focused products—including powders and shakes—being promoted throughout the store.

how quickly this has impacted store shelves.

Cynical me thinks it is the opposite. I think the protein trend influenced the guidelines. The U.S. at the population level does not suffer from a protein deficiency. Increased protein will probably help some people achieve specific, targeted goals. Some of the products do help those who truly need it. I know an older woman in our church who adds protein powder to her coffee because she is in the demographic who needs to watch it more. As a country though, very, very few of us even hit the minimum for fiber intake. Eventually you will see all kinds of products with added fiber which still will not solve the problem of the right kind of fiber. I think as a whole, there is an awareness that our diets should be better for our health, but most people either do not want to think about it or do not want to give up the things they like. Then there are others who simply do not have the resources available to do better (mental bandwith, time etc.). The market then fills the gap for people to give them/us a product that makes us feel like we are at least doing something. It really does not matter what oil one fries the potato chips in, it will never be anything other than a treat.

The guidelines do not really influence my choices. I still like Michael Pollan's maxim of eat good food, not too much, mostly plants. My larger worry is that we are not addressing the real problems that affect health and by not doing so, the personal toll on citizens will be great and the financial toll in our health care system will continue to increase.

@3katz4me, your results say 2025-6

I'm omnivorous and follow Michael Pollan's advice, "eat real food, not too much, mostly plants".

Yes, I also try to follow Michael Pollan’s advice to “eat real food, not too much, mostly plants.” IMO any packaged or premade product that has more than three ingredients is processed and more than five is ultraprocessed. I have a genetic predisposition to high cholesterol so I eat very little fat. We don’t eat seafood and I rarely eat red meat, just lean chicken and pork. My endocrinologist would like me to give up gluten even though I have not demonstrated celiac disease and I am seriously considering it.

I just posted an article about the use of glyphosates; it didn’t go through.

Screenshot:

Are we not allowed to post AP news articles now?

Anyway, if anyone is interested, the article is easy to find (or others). It’s current news.

Jilly I find more goes through the radar when you use the link option in post formatting below your text box. That's what I have in my post above as type of fat. No guarantees but it seems to work rather than a direct link.

DLM, I forgot about that function, thank you!

Protein has been a huge diet trend for many years. As already mentioned above, the trend is continuing with GLP-1 drugs generating weight loss and users needing to increase protein to maintain muscle mass.

While I do agree protein is an important component, so are fiber and nutrients. I'm a vegetarian who tries to focus mostly on whole foods, less processed. I'm not perfect by any stretch. Unfortunately I did learn I actually need to increase my protein intake, but I'm also learning that I needed to front-load my day with protein early in the day. This is just me personally, not saying everyone needs to be doing this. Some time and bloodwork will hopefully tell if it's making an improvement to my health. Selfishly, I'm glad to find easier access to information on protein and more vegetarian protein rich products.

Oh and I haven't paid any attention to any food pyramids, new or old. I believe the old one from the 1990s was heavily influenced by lobbying. I would assume any new one would be the same.

I don't often grocery shop so I haven't noticed protein stuff in the stores.

RFK Jr. is one of the last I would take advice from.

I’m another vegetarian who should probably eat a bit more protein but adding protein powder to coffee would quickly ruin my day.

Breakfast this morning. c

Just to help with ideas. Also posting this info for everyone but especially anyone concerned about their digestion and glycemic index. We freeze all breads and baked goods immediately.

Thanks, HU-113737678! I don't eat a lot of bread but when I want it, I want it so I keep a variety of rolls and bread in the freezer. I didn't know that it was also possibly better for me!

@Kitchenwitch111 I try to share this info all the time . I am ( Trailrunner - c) lost my login

That is great info that I haven’t heard before. Thanks, Trail.

Lunch. big salad lots of veggies , aged cheddar and pecans small slice homemade baguette . Salad dressed with Basil EVOO from Sciabica oils and Cattani white Balsamic .

Bumping this up because I feel that there is so much interest here on good nutrition, protein intake, and as I have posted ” glycemic index” because we have to have carbs and there is a misguided ” hate” on carbs lol!

I have also heard that reheating cold pasta or potatoes also increases resistant starch.

This is 100 percent antidotal, but about seven years ago I read how murine studies showed that mice fed high resistant starch or insoluble fiber, diets ameliorated positive antiphospholipid and ANA antibodies. I have both lupus and APS so I increased my fiber intake to 40 grams per day. After a year my blood work went from high positivity in multiple antibodies to serum negative in all. I have maintained this for years now. I am believer that insoluble fiber/ resistant starch is magical.

The science on resistant starch is solid. We have followed this for years . Always cooking rice etc ahead and refrigerating and always baking and freezing. We noticed how horrible anything baked was if refrigerated and then reheated.

A real eye opener is mac and cheese. I mske a 13x9 pan for the 2 of us. I serve 2 squares. I then cut portions and wrap in parchment and freeze. It is amazing how good it is reheated in the toaster oven on 350. Same goes for toast from frozen homemade bread . And reheated homemade buttermilk biscuits in the toaster oven.

@roarah that is wonderful that you were able to normalize your numbers and remain stable. I hope others will look to this to make some changes and expand nutritional options.

Saw this and it reminded me of this thread

I don't think I have eaten a pop-tart in 40 years! I didn't buy or offer them to my kids when they were little. I used to love the cinnamon ones!

I last purchased them when my kids were little (25 years ago). They were considered dessert or a snack, like a cookie.

I used to put poptarts in my kids’ Christmas stockings or Easter baskets. A rare treat bc I never bought them any other time.

We found one (in the package) in the airport lounge. Probably left by a frantic Mom. My kids were unfamiliar. I wince in recognition when I see the Almond Mom memes.

My Mom was not a good cook or very well versed in nutrition so I grew up eating every packaged convenience food she could find - tv dinners, pop tarts, spaghettios, etc. It took me a while to figure out that not everyone eats that way! She was a very good baker though.

The grands get pop tarts once a year - when we go skiing. If truth be told, I think it is more their dad’s treat, than theirs. HA!

The big PROTEIN on the box above reminds me of a guy on Instagram who takes food that most people consider not nutritious, like a Snickers bar, and shows it re-described to look healthy. His point is read the label; don’t rely on the words on the packaging.

To the day she died (at 90), my mother turned her nose up at processed/prepared food. She cooked herself a full meal (meat, veg, and starch) every single day. I think hers was not a nutrition issue, but residual frugality from the Depression.

ETA: Found the guy who does the re-branding videos. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMQrPqYxm7w/?igsh=cHl0dTJsNzkzNTJp

I moved this from the semaglutide thread, fits better here.

I think this tweet is funny, it is not a comment about anyone’s dietary needs or choices:

I’ve faced more pressure to eat protein as an adult than I ever did to take drugs as a teenager.

Dee, I can relate. It was just me and my dad and at 11-12 yrs old I was trying to learn to cook. We ate a lot of frozen and canned meals! He worked such long hours and didn’t have time for much cooking. We were happy and survived just fine. :)

I haven’t had a Pop Tart in decades. I liked them once in a while for a treat as a kid, but have heard they’re not the same now (like so many other things).