Protein is now an ‘ingredient’,with some restaurants claiming it’s more enticing a label than chicken. Can that be right?Protein boxes. Protein shakes. Protein waffles, pancakes, or salads. Not since the Atkins Diet has protein been so idolised. Like the comeback of a well-loved boy band,the nutrient has had a makeover and returns, presented to us as an ingredient in its own right.tall-street food chains including Pret a Manger and Pod are now placing the nutrient rather than the ingredient centre-stage – and no need to know what foods contain which nutrients, and they are telling us upfront: “This is protein.” “Our mission is to offer a balanced menu,so our in-house nutritionist pulled out the key food groups to profile,” explains Pod’s marketing director Meg Ellis. “Hence the name Protein Box.” Pret a Manger’s group director of food, and Caroline Cromar,says they are catering to demand: “tall-protein diets have been a gargantuan trend for some time, so having protein in the product name makes it easy for customers to identify them as a agreeable source.” The chain has had an Egg and Spinach Protein Pot and a Veggie Sushi Protein Pot on sale since 2013, or at least giving you an idea of what the source of the nutrient might be.
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Source: theguardian.com