Medical professionals across the United Arab Emirates are raising urgent concerns about the growing trend of protein supplementation replacing whole food meals among younger demographics. What was once exclusively the domain of elite athletes and bodybuilders has now permeated mainstream fitness culture, with Millennials, Generation Z, and even adolescents increasingly substituting nutritional shakes for proper meals.
Clinical observations from multiple healthcare facilities indicate a significant shift in dietary patterns, driven predominantly by gym culture and social media influence. Jaseera Maniparambil, Clinical Dietitian at Aster Clinic in Bur Dubai, reports witnessing a substantial increase in protein supplement usage among young adults, many of whom operate under the mistaken belief that excessive protein consumption automatically translates to superior fitness outcomes.
Recent scientific research from Deakin University’s Food and Mood Centre provides empirical evidence supporting medical concerns. The study compared two low-energy diet programs—one utilizing supplement shakes and bars, another employing whole foods. While both groups demonstrated similar weight reduction metrics, critical differences emerged in body composition. The whole-food cohort preserved significantly more lean muscle mass while shedding fat, whereas the shake-based group lost considerable muscle alongside fat—a concerning outcome given muscle preservation’s crucial role in metabolic health and long-term wellness.
Dr. Fiji Antony, Head of Department and Chief Clinical Dietitian at NMC Speciality Hospital in Dubai, emphasizes that protein shakes frequently lack comprehensive nutritional profiles. “These supplements typically provide isolated protein but fall short in delivering the full spectrum of fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients abundant in whole foods,” she explains.
The medical community particularly cautions against adolescent usage, noting that Westernized diets already provide two to three times the necessary protein intake without supplementation. Excessive protein consumption may potentially stress renal and hepatic functions while increasing dehydration risks. Regular meal replacement with shakes among developing youth could precipitate nutrient deficiencies, low energy availability, digestive discomfort, and the establishment of poor long-term eating habits.
Healthcare specialists unanimously stress that protein supplements should serve as strategic support tools rather than meal replacements—appropriate for post-workout recovery, during extended work periods delaying meals, or for individuals with clinically demonstrated elevated protein requirements. They emphasize that most individuals consuming balanced diets already meet their nutritional needs through whole foods alone and recommend professional dietary assessment before incorporating supplements.
