In a tweet shared on Thursday, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. honored what he considers an important moment of celebration for the country: National Burger Day.
Kennedy's Burger Day Post
"It's #NationalBurgerDay," Kennedy posted on X, along with a photo of him flipping raw meat patties on a kitchen grill. "The war on protein is over, and REAL American beef is back on the menu."
Naturally, X users offered their thoughts on Kennedy's National Burger Day post. "There's more protein marketing in food the last 10 years than there ever has been," one person said. Many also pointed out the skyrocketing beef prices in an already unaffordable economy.
What Does 'Real Beef' Mean?
It's 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? Regardless, the part of Kennedy's tweet that references the war on protein is the real head-scratcher, considering the country's 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. Everyone from influencers to bodybuilders dump protein shakes or powders in their coffee, their overnight oats, their yogurt. Is the war on protein in the room with us?
Kennedy's Previous Statements
Apparently Kennedy believes so. In addition to his Burger Day commemoration tweet, Kennedy previously said that "protein and healthy fats are essential and were wrongly discouraged in prior dietary guidelines." In January, the White House tweeted a photo of Kennedy with the caption, "We are ending the war on protein."
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. 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.
Expert Opinions on Protein Intake
"Adequate protein intake isn't one number or target to hit, but more of a range that depends on your age, sex, overall health and lean body mass," registered dietitian Jaclyn London previously told HuffPost, noting that a generally healthy but fairly inactive person should target around 0.8 kilograms per pound of body weight — the recommendation from the original dietary guidelines. Those who are active might need to consume more.
The Food and Drug Administration states that adults should get at least 50 grams per day. If you're not getting enough of the nutrient, your body will tell you. You'll experience symptoms like fatigue and weakness.
In general, many experts believe our hyperfixation on getting more protein — especially from red meat — might be going too far.
"Protein has gotten the kind of treatment that low-fat food did in the '90s — the SnackWell's phenomenon. We all have given protein a health halo," Marily Oppezzo, a dietitian and instructor of medicine at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, said in a Stanford Med article in March. "Protein intake is important. Just not as magical-fixer-fountain-of-instant-awesome as Instagram would tell you."
"We've been sold the idea that protein is the golden ticket to health, but this has far more to do with marketing than with science," Dr. Luke Wilson, a general practitioner, lifestyle medicine practitioner and board director at Doctors for Nutrition, previously told HuffPost. "In reality, our bodies are incredibly efficient at getting what they need from regular, plant-based whole foods. If you're eating enough calories from a variety of plant foods, you're getting enough protein."
Red Meat and Health Risks
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't even suggest red meat as a top option. In a HuffPost story published in February on the best protein sources to fuel your brain, experts listed salmon, eggs, beans, soy, walnuts and chicken as some of the best foods. "REAL American beef" was notably absent.
All this to say, it doesn't appear that Americans necessarily view protein as the enemy like Kennedy seems to claim; in fact, we might be too allied with it — including with sources like beef. Big Protein is doing just fine.
