"I needed to hear that"

Unabashed opinions on protein.

I was in the supermarket, grabbing my essential dairy items: yoghurt, butter, PANA Organic Double Chocolate ice cream. I was weaving around a fellow grey-haired woman, frozen in front of the yoghurts. I apologised for repeatedly pushing in front or her and asking her to move.

She replied, ‘Oh no, it’s me. I’m in the way. I just can’t decide with all this extra protein—do you think it’s actually worth it?’

Unbeknownst to her, she had poked a bear. When it comes to the farce that is protein marketing, I’m like Nick Kyrgios when a ref penalises him: outraged and volatile. It is one of my biggest GRIPES right now. (I would’ve tried to get on Subway Takes, but someone beat me to it.)

So I said, trying my very best not to rant: ‘Honestly, I think it’s a croc of shit. Stuff that actually is full of protein—like eggs and chicken—doesn’t have to claim an extra 3 grams, you know? Besides, not everything you eat needs extra protein in it. And yoghurt already has protein!’

Side rant: The world has gone protein made and the products screaming the loudest probably have the least amount of protein. Just because they put the word ‘PROTEIN’ in front of it, or say ‘5 extra grams!’, doesn’t mean it’s high in protein—probably means it had none to begin with.

Eggs come with protein. No need to boast about it. Also, we can eat something without protein. Unless you’re training for that weird weight lifting competition where everyone deliberately looks 2008-fake-tan-orange, you’re good.

Sure, if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you may need to boost your protein levels. BUT A PROTEIN CHOCOLATE? Guys, it is a SCAM.

If you’re eating well, you’re probably already getting enough protein. And FYI: Greek Yoghurt generally has more protein than other yoghurts anyway.

As you can tell, I’d slipped into rant territory, so I apologised—again.

She looked at me, incredibly sincerely, and said ‘No, thank you. I needed to heart that.’ Then she grabbed a tub—of what I assume is her favourite—yoghurt and off she went.

Hopefully the Protein Scam Marketers lost a sale that day. Or maybe she bought the PROTEIN chocolate yoghurt with ten litres of sugar and only half the protein of greek yoghurt. Her call.

But it reminded me: sometimes we need to hear something. Even if it’s from a complete stranger.

While we should trust ourselves and form our own opinions, yadda yadda yadda, we also shouldn’t believe everything we think. Mainly, because our thoughts aren’t fact. Our minds make stuff up—more than you realise, in fact.

Sometimes hearing it from someone else confirms what we know deep down. Or when we can’t decide, we’re overcomplicating it for ourselves, or working our asses off, a bit of positive reinforcement helps.

I took my daughter for her 4-year-old check up and vaccinations yesterday—she was incredibly brave; an absolute star!—and the doctor was extremely impressed by how well she listened. She turned to me and said, ‘You’re doing an outstanding job. Honestly, outstanding.’

What a lovely thing to say! I nearly cried but managed to do a choked laugh instead. Of course, she’s not a complete stranger—she does my pap smears. But it meant a lot. Especially because it had been a bit of a day.

Parenting, from what I can tell, is mostly a thankless job. When you absolutely nail it—on time all day, packed a healthy lunch, emotionally regulated each meltdown, fantastic home-cooked dinner, house tidy and in bed on time—your child doesn’t look at you and say: ‘wow Mum, A+++ mumming today.’ She just says, ‘I’m not tired. Read me another book.’

So, having someone randomly tell you on a Wednesday afternoon that you’re doing an outstanding job means a lot.

Shames thrives in silence. And while no one’s ashamed of being confused about protein yoghurt, other things thrive in silence too. Ruminating thoughts, unchecked beliefs about ourselves, assumptions that go unchallenged, and narratives that quietly harden into truths.

Sometimes we need to hear it from someone else to snap ourselves out of it. A bit of positive reinforcement, and/or the confirmation that the world’s gone insane, not you helps.

Often people need to hear it—so say it. Tell someone they’re doing a good job, answer a question honestly, find solidarity in the common. An insignificant moment for you can turn the other person’s day around.

(Plus, the more we build each other up, the harder it is for Protein Marketing Executives to make us pay $10 more for less protein than you find in Greek Yoghurt.)

Alternatively, when you need to hear something: ask. Even if it is a stranger in Woollies. You might find they have a lot of opinions about protein—and that it’s exactly what you needed to hear.