You go to dinner at friends’ house and there it is: a huge tub of protein powder presiding over the kitchen. You head out to eat and someone mentions how many grams each plate contains before ordering. You open Instagram to distract yourself for a few minutes and you come across a fitness influencer showcasing the protein snacks they consume during their flight. At what moment did we stop recommending Netflix series to rate “high protein” yogurts?
Over the past few years, this macronutrient has left the gyms to sneak into our everyday lives. Protein is no longer a concern exclusive to those who lift weights: today it is part of debates about longevity, menopause, muscle mass, daily energy, and healthy aging.
As the food industry multiplies its range of protein-enriched products—from water to desserts—and social media fuels the phenomenon, the question is inevitable: where does science end and where does fashion begin?
To understand why everyone is talking about this nutrient, we spoke with nutritionist Salena Sainz, founder of the Naturae Nutrition Clinic and an expert in functional nutrition, who clarifies its benefits, how to incorporate protein into our diet, and other questions surrounding it.
1. Do we need more protein: truth or trend?
“Protein is essential because it provides amino acids that the body continually uses to build, repair, and renew tissues, but also to manufacture enzymes, transporters, antibodies, and numerous molecules involved in our daily functioning,” says Salena Sainz.
“However, I think we’re experiencing a certain ‘proteinization’ of nutrition. We’ve moved from paying little attention to protein to thinking that any food is better simply because it says high protein on the packaging, and that isn’t true either,” adds the nutritionist.
