Episode cover
← Today, Explained

Packing in protein

February 16, 2026·26m

Protein in your soda. Protein in your cereal. Protein in your bread. In this rerun from last year, we explain how protein got added into so much of what we eat and drink. This episode was produced by Gabrielle Berbey, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Matthew Billy, and hosted by Noel King. Protein Cold Foam drink at Starbucks. Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images.