{"id":1404174,"date":"2026-02-05T10:20:57","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T15:20:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/?p=1404174&preview=true&preview_id=1404174"},"modified":"2026-02-05T10:21:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T15:21:16","slug":"protein-nutrition-guidelines-colorado","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thenewsherald.com\/2026\/02\/05\/protein-nutrition-guidelines-colorado\/","title":{"rendered":"Protein is all the rage. But how much do you really need?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Protein is having a moment, with federal guidelines significantly raising the recommended amount people should eat every day and products ranging from coffee drinks to Pop-Tarts touting enhanced levels of the nutrient.<\/p>\n

Eating enough protein is important for good health, Denver-area dieticians said, but people who want to increase their intake need to make sure they choose quality foods and don\u2019t crowd out healthy carbohydrates and fats.<\/p>\n

Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture showed<\/a> that, as of 2020, the average American already ate enough protein to meet the new recommendations.<\/p>\n

The most recent edition of the federal nutrition guidelines, released in early January, raised the recommended floor for protein consumption, setting a range from 50% higher to double the previous recommendation.<\/p>\n

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also unveiled a flipped food pyramid<\/a>, with beef and full-fat dairy among the foods to emphasize at the top. Federal recommendations had ditched the pyramid about 15 years ago for a model plate divided between produce, protein and whole grains.<\/p>\n

The previous protein guideline was a bare minimum to avoid malnutrition, so raising that was probably the right call, said Jessica Crandall, a registered dietitian nutritionist who works at HCA HealthOne Rose<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Generally, Crandall recommends 60 to 80 grams of protein each day for women and 80 to 100 grams for men. For comparison, a three-ounce serving of ground beef has 22 grams, a skinless chicken breast has 18 grams and 6 ounces of Greek yogurt has 15 to 17 grams, according to Washington University in St. Louis<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But the right amount for any individual will depend on their body weight, age, level of physical activity and health, with some conditions requiring more protein and others demanding restrictions, Crandall said.<\/p>\n

The International Food Information Council\u2019s 2024 Food and Health survey<\/a> found about 71% of Americans were specifically trying to eat protein, up from 59% in 2022. About one in five said they specifically follow a \u201chigh protein\u201d diet, making it more popular than calorie counting, low-carb or Mediterranean food plans.<\/p>\n

People who work in nutrition have known about protein\u2019s importance to the muscles and immune system for quite some time, but public perception of it has changed significantly in recent years, said Kelly Elliot, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Saint Joseph Hospital<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s interesting how marketing sways the public and how the public sways marketing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

While protein shakes and bars have been staples among the gym-going set for some time, other food brands are getting in on the game.<\/p>\n

Snickers<\/a> and Pop Tarts<\/a> unveiled higher-protein options, and Thomas\u2019 bagels added a line about protein content to the front of the packaging for their existing products. Starbucks<\/a> and Dunkin\u2019 Donuts<\/a> recently debuted drinks enhanced with whey protein, and Chipotle\u2019s menu now promotes a \u201cprotein cup\u201d of chicken and a chicken taco, designed to offer a similar mix of protein, fat and carbs to a protein bar, said Stephanie Perdue, Chipotle\u2019s interim chief marketing officer.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve seen growing demand for protein-forward choices across more occasions, especially snack-sized portions at accessible prices,\u201d she said in a statement. \u201cWe\u2019ll carry this focus throughout 2026, with our culinary team driving protein-led innovation informed by customer behavior and emerging trends across our restaurants and digital channels.\u201d<\/p>\n

As more people get the message that they need to increase their protein intake \u2014 despite the fact that most Americans already eat enough \u2014 food companies have responded by adding protein in unexpected places, including pretzels, chips and even bottled water, said William Hallman, a psychologist at Rutgers University<\/a> who studies how people think about food.<\/p>\n

Emphasizing protein creates a \u201chealth halo\u201d<\/a> around products that makes people think they\u2019re a better option, even if the manufacturer had to increase sugar and fat to mask the taste of protein powder, he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cConsumers think it\u2019s healthier for them, and that\u2019s the problem,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Brands highlight the positive aspects of their food, but that doesn\u2019t mean that every high-protein product is a good choice, Elliot said. Consumers need to consider other factors such as sugar and saturated fat content, and whether the ingredients list includes a string of additives, she said.<\/p>\n

The new nutrition guidelines also warned the public to avoid added sugars and ultra-processed foods, while maintaining the existing advice to limit saturated fat for heart disease prevention<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of these protein bars, many of them are glorified candy bars,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The new nutrition guidelines may encourage products to continue jumping on the protein bandwagon, but in the long run, food companies will have to consider whether the costs of fortifying their products are worthwhile in an increasingly crowded marketplace, Hallman said.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cAt some point, people are going to figure out they\u2019re getting plenty of protein,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Most people will be able to meet their needs as long as they have a good source of protein at each meal, alongside fruits, vegetables and whole grains, Crandall said. While most people think of meat when discussing protein, other options with less saturated fat include eggs, dairy foods, seafood, nuts, seeds and beans, she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cProtein is one piece of the puzzle,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

For most people, eating more protein than they need isn\u2019t likely to cause a problem, though it can exacerbate kidney or liver disease. The concern is that they\u2019ll forgo foods that are low in protein but high in fiber or vitamins and minerals that also contribute to good health, Crandall said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes when we hyper-focus on one area\u2026 we miss out on those other nutrients,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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