We eat so much protein, the world is running out of it. Before you reach for another scoop, curb your flexibility here
Deep breath. We were just discovering our relationship with fiber. Now we’re worried about protein. It’s in everything: potato chips, water, coffee, McDonald’s burgers.
Gym players who weight train are obsessed with consuming 50 grams a day, or 40 grams, or whatever magic number Reddit comes up with this week. Those who take GLP-1 (those who eat less) eat more protein to maintain muscle mass while losing weight.
The demand for protein additives is very high, making global markets nervous. In the United States, some manufacturers have already sold out their supplies for the entire year. In India, brands like Only What’s Needed have posted explanations on their website, tracking the skyrocketing cost of whey (from INR 1,475 in July 2025 to INR 3,700 in June 2026), and its impact on whey powder prices.
Most whey is a byproduct of the cheese-making process, and was traditionally dumped in fields as fertilizer. India is the world’s largest milk producer. We shouldn’t have a shortage, right? Not quite, because our dairy industry is geared toward milk, not cheese. So India is feeling the pressure too.
Deep breath again. Because a lot of the conversations about protein are ambiguous. Here are five fibers you don’t want to bend.
Everyone needs the same amount of protein
