Brief
Nutritionist warns Australian shoppers to look beyond protein grams
Jess Burvill urges focus on whole‑food protein sources rather than processed, high‑protein products.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Amid a surge of protein‑fortified foods in Australian supermarkets, nutritionist Jess Burvill says shoppers should evaluate protein quality, not just the gram count on labels, according to a SMH Good Food article published on 7 October 2026.
What happened
Supermarket aisles are now filled with protein‑enhanced items such as pizza, peanut butter, chips, chocolate, ice cream, meat pies and even protein water. The article notes that while these products advertise high protein levels, the type of protein and accompanying nutrients vary widely.
What the reports add
Burvill, who posts on Instagram, describes the phenomenon as “protein marketing” that can lure shoppers into ultra‑processed foods that appear healthy. She points out that cow’s milk contains whey and beta‑casein, and that a2 Milk® offers only A2‑type beta‑casein, contrasting it with regular milk that contains both A1 and A2 proteins.
What was said
Burvill told SMH, “You’ve got to turn the package over and have a look at, okay, great, it’s got 20 or 30 grams of protein. But what type of protein is that, and what else is in this food along with that protein?” She added, “If people are focusing too much on getting more of their protein from highly processed foods, that could have a detrimental effect on the overall quality of their diet.”
How it came about
The article links the current “protein mania” to broader consumer trends and highlights Burvill’s earlier advice on her Instagram platform, where she regularly warns against relying on processed protein products.
Key facts
- Australian supermarkets are stocked with a wide range of protein‑fortified products. (smh.com.au)
- Nutritionist Jess Burvill warns that protein quality matters more than gram count. (smh.com.au)
- A2 Milk® contains only A2‑type beta‑casein, unlike regular milk which has both A1 and A2. (smh.com.au)
- Burvill advises obtaining protein from whole foods such as meat, fish, eggs, legumes and dairy. (smh.com.au)
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “What’s the best source of protein?”
