In this January 2025 episode of NPR's It's Been a Minute podcast, host Brittany Luse talks to journalist Kenny Torrella and food writer Samantha Maxwell about the social, cultural, and political background of the latest trend in diet culture: protein.

Every decade brings new fad diets and 'miraculous' fitness regimens, and the 2020s have brought an obsession with protein.

From protein shakes to protein pancakes and even protein ice cream, we are being led to believe that this one macronutrient is the key to lasting health and fitness.

Hosted by Brittany Luse, NPR's It's Been a Minute podcast explores how social and political factors influence pop culture.

In this episode from January 2025, Luse talks to Vox senior reporter Kenny Torrella and food writer Samantha Maxwell about how our society became obsessed with protein and whether we should really be concerned about our protein intake.