":Nobody needs protein powders. they're completely unnecessary."
That is what I am trying to figure out.
As to the lead, I did read the Consumers Reports article and chose product that tested lowest. It seems that the plant-based powders had more lead than whey-based one, in general.
And to the "full of chemical" criticism, well, everything is chemical, right? Some are unhealthy, some good for us, many neutral.
But taking all of that into account, I do fully agree that achieving dietary goals through food is best. But if the new-and-improved guidelines are to believed, then it is difficult (at least for me) to ingest that amount of protein. I eat a lot of grilled salmon and turkey sandwiches and that does not seem to be enough.