{"id":610930,"date":"2026-05-29T20:28:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T20:28:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/610930\/"},"modified":"2026-05-29T20:28:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T20:28:10","slug":"experts-weigh-in-on-robert-f-kennedys-claim-theres-a-war-on-protein","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/610930\/","title":{"rendered":"Experts Weigh In On Robert F. Kennedy’s Claim There’s A War On Protein"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a tweet shared on Thursday<\/a>, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. honored what he considers an important moment of celebration for the country: National Burger Day.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s #NationalBurgerDay,\u201d Kennedy posted on X, along with a photo of him flipping raw meat patties on a kitchen grill. \u201cThe war on protein is over, and REAL American beef is back on the menu.\u201d<\/p>\n

Naturally, X users offered their thoughts on Kennedy\u2019s National Burger Day post. \u201cThere\u2019s more protein marketing in food the last 10 years than there ever has been,\u201d one person said<\/a>. Many<\/a> also pointed out<\/a> the skyrocketing beef prices in an already unaffordable economy.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s unclear what Kennedy meant by real beef being back on the menu. Which menu? What establishments were serving fake red meat before? Or perhaps he is referring to some restaurants that are using imported products? <\/p>\n

Regardless, the part of Kennedy\u2019s tweet that references the war on protein is the real head-scratcher, considering the country\u2019s storied obsession with the nutrient. Health coaches on social media have long worshiped at the altar of protein, advising clients and followers to prioritize it over anything else if you want to lose weight or improve your well-being. Food companies have inserted protein in snacks like popcorn and ice cream. Consumers are obsessed with meat sticks<\/a>. Everyone from influencers<\/a> to bodybuilders dump protein shakes or powders in their coffee, their overnight oats, their yogurt. <\/p>\n

Is the war on protein in the room with us?<\/p>\n

Apparently Kennedy believes so. In addition to his Burger Day commemoration tweet, Kennedy previously said<\/a> that \u201cprotein and healthy fats are essential and were wrongly discouraged in prior dietary guidelines.\u201d In January<\/a>, the White House tweeted a photo of Kennedy with the caption, \u201cWe are ending the war on protein.\u201d<\/p>\n

And perhaps the biggest indicator of the perceived war on protein is the official instruction to eat more of it. Earlier this year, the federal nutrition guidelines shifted, putting more emphasis on protein by changing the daily intake recommendations from 0.8 kilograms of protein per pound of body weight to 1.2-1.6 kilograms per pound of body weight<\/a>. For a 150-pound person, that means they should aim to consume anywhere from 180 to 240 grams of protein per day, as opposed to the previously recommended 120 grams.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdequate protein intake isn\u2019t one number or target to hit, but more of a range that depends on your age, sex, overall health and lean body mass,\u201d registered dietitian Jaclyn London<\/a> previously told HuffPost, noting that a generally healthy but fairly inactive person should target around 0.8 kilograms per pound of body weight \u2015 the recommendation from the original dietary guidelines. Those who are active might need to consume more.<\/p>\n

The Food and Drug Administration states that adults should get at least 50 grams per day<\/a>. If you\u2019re not getting enough of the nutrient, your body will tell you. You\u2019ll experience symptoms like fatigue and weakness<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In general, many experts believe our hyperfixation on getting more protein \u2015 especially from red meat \u2015 might be going too far.<\/p>\n

\u201cProtein has gotten the kind of treatment that low-fat food did in the \u201990s \u2014 the SnackWell\u2019s phenomenon. We all have given protein a health halo,\u201d Marily Oppezzo<\/a>, a dietitian and instructor of medicine at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, said in a Stanford Med article in March<\/a>. \u201cProtein intake is important. Just not as magical-fixer-fountain-of-instant-awesome as Instagram would tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been sold the idea that protein is the golden ticket to health, but this has far more to do with marketing than with science,\u201d Dr. Luke Wilson, a general practitioner, lifestyle medicine practitioner and board director at Doctors for Nutrition, previously told HuffPost<\/a>. \u201cIn reality, our bodies are incredibly efficient at getting what they need from regular, plant-based whole foods. If you\u2019re eating enough calories from a variety of plant foods, you\u2019re getting enough protein.\u201d<\/p>\n

A key phrase here is plant food. While meat can be an excellent source of protein, iron and B vitamins, too much of it can also increase your risk for conditions like colon cancer or heart disease. In fact, if protein is your primary focus, some experts don\u2019t even suggest red meat as a top option. In a HuffPost story published in February <\/a>on the best protein sources to fuel your brain, experts listed salmon, eggs, beans, soy, walnuts and chicken as some of the best foods. \u201cREAL American beef\u201d was notably absent.<\/p>\n

All this to say, it doesn\u2019t appear that Americans necessarily view protein as the enemy like Kennedy seems to claim; in fact, we might be too allied with it \u2015 including with sources like beef. Big Protein is doing just fine.<\/p>\n