🎙️ The Protein Obsession: Are We Nourishing Ourselves or Just Following Fear?

In this episode of the Plant Fuelled Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Minil Patel, a medical doctor, educator, and someone asking the bigger questions about what we eat and why.

Protein is everywhere. From cereals to cookies to water, it seems like the nutrient we can’t get enough of. But when everything is being “proteinified,” are we actually getting healthier or just more anxious?

We explore the cultural and clinical consequences of our obsession with protein, especially in the age of performance nutrition, carnivore influencers, and conflicting medical voices. Together, we unpack the science, the myths, and the societal forces that shape how we think about food from outdated definitions like “complete protein” to deeper questions about masculinity, meat, and identity.

This conversation goes far beyond grams and macros. It’s about misinformation, modern health anxiety, and the systems that keep us confused. And it’s about how we can take our power back through better questions and better tools.

✨ In this episode we talk about:

✅ Why the “high protein” trend might be missing the bigger picture
✅ The decline of fibre and micronutrient intake in favour of protein hype
✅ Why plant protein is still seen as inferior and what the science actually says
✅ The outdated myth of “complete protein” and how it continues to confuse
✅ Vegan vs carnivore: What do we do when two doctors give opposite advice?
✅ Masculinity, meat, and the psychology of protein obsession
✅ How to approach plant-based performance nutrition with clarity
✅ Whether the term “vegan” is still too polarising for the mainstream
✅ How Dr. Patel structures his own protein intake for health and performance
✅ The critical role of critical thinking in navigating health advice today

Whether you’re trying to build muscle on a plant-based diet, move away from fear-based eating, or simply want a clearer lens through which to view nutrition this episode will give you the tools to pause, reflect, and rethink the story we’ve been told about protein.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & everywhere you listen
🔗 Explore more at plantfuelled.com
👨‍⚕️ Learn more about Dr. Minil Patel: @drironjunkie