Every food commercial, advertisement, and packaging in the US is currently protein obsessed. I just bought 3 burritos, and the most noticeable thing on the entire package is its protein content. TV commercials about waffles are advertising that they have X amount of protein per serving. The products in my jobsite’s vending machine have protein all over every package.
Did America have a protein thing recently?
This thread rightly points out all the excesses of capital-fueled social trends.
Less mentioned is that a higher protein breakfast ~20-30g vs traditional carb-heavy breakfast is actually helpful for more stable morning energy (less sugar crash), cognitive clarity, and reduced snack cravings especially later in the day. Search any of your reputable health sources and you’ll likely find something to that effect. I don’t believe it’s particularly disputed at this point.
Wait, what about morning pasta, I feel they work fine for me. Should I switch to morning sausages?
Most susages are also high in fat and salt, so I don’t know that eating them every morning would be a healthy switch. I’d feel heavy afterward. They are also high in nitrites, which lead to carcinogens… should be fine if eaten occasionally, or so I tell myself lol.
At the end of the day, it’s whatever works for you. And it’s worth trying different things.
Eggs. If you hate eggs or are allergic to them, then steak or chicken. Traditional breakfast meats (ham, sausage) are full of nitrates. Nothing wrong with that as an occasional treat, but don’t habituate it.
Eggs are just about the perfect morning food. I think they’re the most efficiently absorbed protein, too, when cooked. I make an omelette most days with eggs, a pepper and onion blend, spinach, and some cheese.
Is it because of less carb or high protein? If I eat veggies do I get the same result?
Mostly no, but the mostly is because most vegetables aren’t as high in protein. If you eat protein rich vegetables the effect holds.
Some starches and fiber also have the effect, since metabolism is complicated. I believe potato is quite high on the satiety index, as are apples.
Basically it’s that your body just absorbs sugar and doesn’t spend time on it, so it doesn’t satisfy you. Carbs are pretty quick, but depending on the fiber content it can more than make up for it. Your body cherishes fat so it tries to get you to drink it. Protein is useful calories that take a lot of work to rip up, and they occupy space.
An apple and a bowl of lentil curry will fill you up.
Protein takes longer to metabolize into energy than carbs, hence you don’t crash like with carbs. Starchy veggies give you carbs, low-carb veggies don’t have protein or carbs so you’ll just be extra tired.