VJ Anuradha Menon, better known as Lola Kutty, opened up about the emphasis on protein consumption, a topic that has gained popularity on social media. Taking to Instagram, she said, "Lately, my Instagram feed has just been protein propaganda. Every reel is like, 'Do you even exist without protein?' I can't even watch a cat video without some guy jumping in and saying, ' Your cat is shedding. lack of protein. 'Apparently, if I don't eat 200 grams of protein a day, I will just collapse from protein shame." Adding that the general perception is "protein fixes everything," she continued: "Bad skin? Protein. Tired? Protein. Unemployed? Have you tried protein? Now my food feels so judged.Whenever I eat dosa, where is the protein? If DDLJ was made today, Shah Rukh Khan would run through a mustard field and yell.Simran, did you have your protein shake?" In her typical sardonic way, she expressed, "I feel so underqualified because everyone's like I just took whey isolate, hydrolyzed, cold processed, lactose-free, grass-fed.I just ate two boiled eggs and a Parle G. Breakup? Probably low protein. You didn't lose love..you lost muscle mass. My neighbour doesn't want to get married because she hasn't hit her protein target. Chicken, paneer, dal, whey - Apparently, your diet has to look like Noah's Ark of protein sources. At this point, I don't need a gym membership. I just need a protein dealer.in some shady street." Is there too much protein information now? Kanikka Malhotra, consultant dietitian and diabetes educator, concurred that there’s a real “protein propaganda” in popular media and marketing today, making protein feel like the "new magic fix for all health goals". "It’s important to remember that nutrition is not about chasing viral trends or celebrity statements, but about meeting individualised and evidence-based needs. While protein is a crucial nutrient for muscle repair, immunity, and overall health, most healthy adults require about 0.8 to 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight per day; active individuals or those over 50 may need modestly more, but regularly exceeding 2 grams per kg per day may pose risks to kidney function and metabolic health for the average person," said Malhotra. For most people, a regular Indian diet with a mix of dals, dairy, nuts, and variety in whole foods suffices, said Malhotra, stressing that protein shakes and supplements are "rarely necessary unless directed for medical or athletic reasons". According to Malhotra, routinely consuming more than double the standard recommendation (over 2 g/kg/day) is "unnecessary for the majority and could be counterproductive in the long run, leading to digestive, kidney, or vascular problems". View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anu Menon (@exlolakutty) "Trends may change, but the fundamentals — balance, moderation, and critical thinking — matter more. Simran would definitely not need that protein shake in every scene; more isn’t always better, and moderation, real meals, and context (age, health, activity) matter most for wellness," expressed Malhotra. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
