Whether you’ve never seen the inside of a gym or you subscribe to the ‘girls who lift,’ or ‘eat clean train dirty’ mantra, gym culture is pretty hard to avoid. And at the core of this? Protein.
When a controversial Protein World advert was emblazoned across the London Underground last summer, an almighty backlash ensued. Showing a very slim, bikini-clad model next to the caption: ‘Are you beach body ready?’ there was a rallying cry to have it banned. Inexcusable body shaming aside, the advert tapped into the burgeoining market of health concious gym-goers, promoting protein as a quick and easy way to achieve results.
Although the craze isn't new, it's certainly crescendoing. In the gym, second to the chorus of pants, grunts and clattering weights, is the shaking of protein mixers. Although many associate the powders with the domain of Hulk-esque men, they have found favour with the masses. According to the Telegraph protein powders are ‘forecast to be worth £471m annually by 2018.’
Health experts have long promoted protein – containing amino acids, it's vital to repair and build muscle tissue. But for those committed to the cause (we salute you), chicken just doesn’t cut it anymore. Hence the explosion of brands, powders and ingredients.
The protein camps are divided. While there are many who deem it indispensible to gym committal, others think it is overestimated, unnecessary and in some cases, dangerous. We've listened to both sides - here's your need to know:
** Dietary Dilemmas**
Whichever side you're on, listen to your body. What's right for one person isn't always right for another. Healthy and happy is our motto, protein or no protein.
***Words: Phoebe McDowell ***