I took RFK Jr.’s advice and ate only protein-rich foods for a week

Not even two Months into my work here at WIRED, I found myself eating in the office bathroom.

Technically, it was work-related stress, but not in the way you might imagine. Rather, it was the unfortunate and almost immediate result of my efforts to switch to a diet consisting only of foods, drinks, and supplements marketed as high in protein – thus meeting the daily protein intake level recommended by the US Department of Health and Human Services under Robert Kennedy Jr.

The china phone conversation came about an hour after I sampled a nut butter-flavored whey protein powder. My partner Mads uses it as workout fuel, and I’ve seen it as an easy shortcut to getting 26 grams of protein. I actually complained about getting some for journalistic purposes – “they’re too expensive!” — but she was relieved that she wouldn’t have to taste and test any of the other foods that were on my list to eat that week. I foolishly took the pitcher’s suggestion of adding a heaping scoop of Ghost powder to 5 or 6 ounces of water and ended up trying to choke down a cup of peanut butter sludge. (After she vomited, Mads told me that she had only put a small dose of this nasty powder into her cereal.) As a newbie to protein bulking, this was a lesson learned.

I doubt Kennedy had these problems. Earlier this year, the US Secretary of Health revealed a “historic reset” for the coronavirus Dietary guidelines For Americans, the first item was “Give priority to proteinThe department claimed that official dietary guidelines in past years had “demonized protein in favor of carbohydrates.” On his social media accounts, the Trump administration’s health secretary can be found visiting a hospital. Texas BBQ restaurant For a “protein-packed” meal, take a tour of A Pennsylvania farm Which produces “protein-rich” dairy products, and Appearing at an event With Mike Tyson to advance the Trump administration’s efforts to put protein “at the heart of the American plate.”

The food industry responded to Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda with a dizzying array of protein-rich items now available in restaurant chains and on store shelves. Despite his frequent claim that ultra-processed foods are just that Make Americans sickprotein-laden versions of those same nutrients are everywhere, as an obvious compromise.

I’m not that type Lifting weights in jeans– I prefer to run a few miles outdoors most days for exercise – however I wondered if I was missing the purported benefits of increased protein. Maybe if I up my nutritional stats by using all these trendy protein dishes, bars, and drinks for a week, I’ll start to notice some improvements in my overall quality of life. You’ve surely thought that it’s never been easier to fill your grocery cart with products that loudly advertise their protein content. And that’s what I did.

Manly breakfasts

Eager to increase my breakfast protein intake—while maintaining the level of masculinity that seems essential to the MAHA ethos—I paid $20, plus a $7 shipping fee, for a box of something called Man Cereal, easily the worst food I’ve eaten in this experiment. The maple bacon flavor is described as “sweet, smoky and sigma,” which also confirms that this stuff is made for gym members who listen to problem-oriented podcasts, and the bowl contains 2.5 grams of creatine, a compound that supports muscle growth. Unfortunately, this is offensively artificial and almost impossible to chew, and is a suitable exercise for anyone who believes they can improve their jaw lines by “meowWhen the hard, Styrofoam-like balls finally disintegrate, they coat your teeth with gritty morsels that will make even the most masculine performer question his commitment to the act. Oh, and it’s only 16 grams of protein.

The other options were less disgusting but also lacked protein. I bought a box of Boostin’ Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tarts, which hit the market last fall, and a package of “protein-packed” French toast sticks from Kodiak Cakes. Both tasted good, even if the French toast sticks were on the bland side, but when I compared the protein content in a serving of these foods — 10 grams each — I realized it was a bit much. less From what I get from my usual breakfast of Special K with milk, which gives me 13 grams of protein to start the day.

In this way, the current protein craze may distort the facts about Americans’ ability to obtain it.