Not all high-protein foods are good for your health: Here's what to know

With many focussing on fitness and wellness over the last few years, the on-the-go shelf products claiming that they are healthy have also increased. Now, a study published in the journal Nutrients notes that all the high-protein foods are not that good for health.

A study was conducted in Spain and the researchers examined over 4,000 processed food products that claim to have high protein value in them. The study found that these foods may be less healthy. Most of the food that claimed to be high in protein had high sodium or fat content, and about a quarter had high amounts of free sugar or saturated fat.

The information was gathered over 2 years from June 2022 to March 2024 and the researchers looked into multiple processed food items including energy bars, breakfast cereals, crackers, milk, yogurt, plant-based meat and so on.


The research noted that the food claimed to be high in protein had only a certain amount of protein and the rest of the calorie chart ingredients contributed to sugar, carbohydrates, total fat and saturated fat, sodium and fiber.


The researchers also found that the protein bars that were high in protein had less sugar but had more saturated fat in them and milk and milk substitutes, had low carbs but had more total fat.
The classification of these foods and the study was based on their nutritional value.

The study summarised that over 90% of the foods that were high in protein were less healthy because they had added fat and sweeteners. It cautioned people that the assumption of high protein food might not always be healthy and also reminded them that it is not a good option to rely on these high protein-rich foods that are processed and sold.

Foods that are high in protein:

Foods that are high in protein include fish, meat, eggs, milk and dairy products. The vegan options also include soy, lentils, legumes, chickpeas, and other nuts and seeds.

Make sure to get your daily dose of protein through these natural foods and opt for the processed "high-protein" once in a while as it might be very healthy as they claim.