Any which whey: America's protein obsession

"Eat more protein!" We've all heard the advice. And we've been listening. Americans are eating more protein than ever, often in the form of whey. Whey is a byproduct of making cheese, and it used to be a headache for cheese makers. Now, it's big business. In 2020, a pound of high protein whey cost $3. Today, it costs approximately $10. The whey-production industry is booming, growing about 10% each year. New York Times reporter Kevin Draper wrote about how this protein rich elixir is transforming the dairy industry . A cheesemaker separates the curds from the whey. Photo via Shutterstock. What is whey? Different cheeses are made in different ways but here's a simplified explanation. Cheese is made out of milk, rennet or enzymes, and other additives to give it different flavors or col