WACO, Texas (KXXV) \u2014 Walk into any grocery store or scroll through your social feeds, and you\u2019ll see it everywhere: high-protein products. From cereals to snack bars to pasta, protein has become a buzzword in the food industry.<\/p>\n
The general maximum amount of protein is two grams per kilogram of body weight\u2014unless otherwise advised by a medical provider.To calculate: take your weight in pounds, divide by 2.2 to get kilograms, then multiply by twoAdding more protein to your diet can also hit your wallet. The USDA predicts overall food prices will rise 2.9% in 2025, with poultry (like chicken) expected to jump 2.5%.<\/p>\n
Watch the story here:<\/p>\n
Is the High-Protein Trend Worth the Hype? A Dietitian Explains the Benefits, Risks, and Budget Tips<\/p>\n
Clinical Dietitian Lauren Williams shares insight on how to get protein right, potential risks, and ways to keep it affordable.<\/p>\n
The Benefits of Protein<\/p>\n
Protein plays a crucial role in keeping your body strong, energized, and full. For athletes, Williams says, it\u2019s especially important.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaking sure that people are meeting their overall protein needs\u2014especially athletes\u2014is key for recovery and supporting performance,\u201d she explains.Beyond training, protein also helps with satiety\u2014the feeling of fullness after eating.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you don\u2019t have protein with breakfast, you might feel hungrier a lot earlier than if you had prioritized having some protein,\u201d Williams says.<\/p>\n
The Risks of Too Much Protein<\/p>\n
While the fitness world often promotes massive protein intake, Williams warns there\u2019s a limit.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of patients come in saying they need 2 grams of protein per pound of body weight, and that\u2019s actually not true,\u201d she notes.Instead, the general maximum is 2 grams per kilogram of body weight\u2014unless otherwise advised by a medical provider.<\/p>\n
To calculate: take your weight in pounds, divide by 2.2 to get kilograms, then multiply by two.<\/p>\n
Going beyond that can strain your kidneys, especially if you have underlying health issues.<\/p>\n
Protein Prices Are Rising<\/p>\n
Adding more protein to your diet can also hit your wallet. The USDA predicts overall food prices will rise 2.9% in 2025, with poultry (like chicken) expected to jump 2.5%.<\/p>\n
So how can you keep protein a priority without overspending?<\/p>\n
Dietitian-Approved Ways to Save on Protein<\/p>\n
Check weekly sales\u00a0before you shop.Choose frozen meats\u00a0like chicken, which are often cheaper than fresh.Opt for whole-food sources\u00a0such as eggs, beans, and lentils rather than highly processed \u201cprotein-added\u201d snacks, which are often pricier and less nutritious.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe foods that have a lot of added proteins are often highly processed and tend to be more expensive\u2014especially with high demand,\u201d Williams cautions.<\/p>\n
Bottom Line<\/p>\n
Protein is essential\u2014for muscle maintenance, recovery, and feeling fuller longer.
But the key is balance: get enough for your lifestyle and needs, avoid excess, and shop smart to avoid breaking the bank.<\/p>\n
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"WACO, Texas (KXXV) \u2014 Walk into any grocery store or scroll through your social feeds, and you\u2019ll see…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":170983,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[61],"tags":[526,97,20495,35775,102437,269,5119,19134],"class_list":{"0":"post-170982","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nutrition","8":"tag-education","9":"tag-health","10":"tag-high-protein-diet","11":"tag-high-protein","12":"tag-mclennan-county-texas","13":"tag-nutrition","14":"tag-protein","15":"tag-waco"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170982","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=170982"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170982\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/170983"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=170982"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=170982"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=170982"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}