Fiber is coming for coffee's protein craze

[marmar]

Fiber is coming for coffee’s protein craze
Coffee experts say fiber could eclipse protein as the next functional add-in to your morning cup

By Joy Saha
Staff Writer
Published January 17, 2026 10:30AM (EST)


(Salon) In an August podcast episode of The Daily, titled “How America Got Obsessed With Protein,” food journalist Elizabeth Dunn delves into what was undoubtedly the biggest food trend of 2025: protein-maxxing. Everyone, it seemed, was scrambling to load up on the humble macro. Influencers gleefully showed off their high-protein diets, complete with eggs, cottage cheese, poultry and red meat. Many also touted their high-protein snacks, which ranged from slices of cold cuts to homemade chicken chips made from seasoned, ground meat.

Major food companies were even hellbent on following the bandwagon. Protein was added to classic buttermilk pancakes, courtesy of IHOP. Protein was sprinkled onto popcorn, thanks to Khloud by Khloé Kardashian. And protein was steeped in our favorite beverages, thanks to both Starbucks and Dunkin’.

Protein’s sheer prevalence prevails in the new year, especially in the wake of new dietary guidelines that place red meat at the very top of the food pyramid. But it’s slated to face some competition from yet another macronutrient.

That’s according to Oatly’s first-ever Future of Taste report, which predicts that fiber is coming for protein’s crown within the coffee scene.

“After first emerging on TikTok in Autumn 2024, ‘fibremaxxing’ (or fibERmaxxing) suddenly spiked this summer, sending the world’s media into a chia-induced frenzy. Pageviews for articles mentioning the term jumped 9500% between June to July,” states the report, which features insights from over 200 expert interviews, baristas and partners at CultureLab. ..................(more)

https://www.salon.com/2026/01/17/fiber-is-coming-for-coffees-protein-craze/

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Carbs, Keto are both out?

Mediterranean Diet it is. Low carbs and seed oils, plenty of fiber and EVOO, fish proteins.

[justaprogressive]

2. Why dear! What lovely chewy coffee!!

However do you do it!?