When it comes to the question of "what's for dinner?" protein is typically at the center of the meal. Production and consumption statistics show that, for a majority of people, protein generally means meat, but it also increasingly includes other non-animal proteins like beans and quinoa. This reflects the fact that, as of 2018, 8% of those surveyed in the United States identified as either vegetarian or vegan.
Even as that shift has happened, however, America's fixation on protein has not waned. From burgers to chicken, lentils to veggie nuggets, protein — especially from animal products — manages to stay at the center of our plates.
