Sweetgreen launches high protein meal, but is it good for you?

Sweetgreen’s newest bowl includes chicken, quinoa, broccoli and green goddess ranch. It has 106 grams of protein. (Sweetgreen)

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(NewsNation) — Sweetgreen is the latest chain in the country to join the protein craze with its new menu addition.

The restaurant chain recently unveiled its Power Max Protein Bowl that offers a whopping 106 grams of protein for your lunch or dinner. It has four servings of chicken, two servings of its herbed quinoa, spicy broccoli and two servings of its green goddess ranch dressing for $22.45.

Other nutritional information for the newest bowl includes:

  • 48g carbohydrates
  • 1,120 calories
  • 2g sugar
  • 60g fat

Jessica Ball, a dietician, told health blog EatingWell that protein has historically not been a nutrient that Americans are deficient in, and that too much protein your diet can lead to health issues like kidney damage, liver problems and a higher risk of heart disease, according to the National Institutes of Health.

“Not to mention, research suggests that people can only absorb about 30 to 40 grams of protein at a time, meaning that over half of the protein from this meal will just be excreted rather than used by your body,” Ball said.

Because of the risks associated with too much protein in your diet, Ball suggest splitting up the bowl over a couple of sittings could be the best way to ensure you’re meeting your protein goals.

Food

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