March 10, 2026, 9:00 a.m. ET
Each week, “Hot Take Tuesday” spotlights bold opinions from the FSView Views section writers on the fun quirks and annoying aspects of life at FSU that many students encounter around campus or throughout their college experience.
If you’d like to submit your own opinion to be featured in a Hot Take Tuesday, see the form linked at the bottom of this article.
Anna Mammarelli: The problem with society’s protein obsession
As a society, we are overly emphasizing protein consumption. Protein definitely plays a vital role and should be a main component of healthy diets. However, not everything we eat needs to be high in protein, especially when it comes from artificial sources. Food production companies and dining chains exploit society’s current protein obsession by drastically upcharging products that have maybe five more grams of protein per serving than the classic version. I was astonished watching a Subway commercial promoting “protein pockets,” which are essentially tortillas filled with meat.
“Protein” is plastered in huge letters on nearly every product on the shelf, including Pop-Tarts, pasta, pizza, ice cream, popcorn, and even gum! While taste is subjective, I would argue that protein powder should not be an ingredient in something like jelly beans unless you are training for an Ironman or are malnourished. Overconsuming protein can result in issues with the kidneys, digestion, and the heart. Furthermore, focusing all efforts on protein intake may lead to neglect of other important macronutrients and micronutrients such as fiber, fats, and carbohydrates. While it is admirable that younger generations value adequate protein consumption, excessive intake can backfire, leading to unnecessary spending, reduced food quality, and potential health risks.
Savannah Burke: Rethinking the narrative around eating disorders in Hollywood
The discourse surrounding the increase in eating disorders in Hollywood is yet another way to shame women in a society dominated by patriarchal beauty norms. People tend to blame women for these disorders, as though they are no longer adequate role models for young women. However, we rarely see men expected to serve as role models for young men in a similar context. The expectation for women to be perfect and not struggle with any disorders is another way to punish women for merely existing. There needs to be more care in these conversations so that women are not blamed for something they did not choose, and that is often linked to genetics or trauma.
Connor Davis: Coffee Shops Should Stick to Coffee
Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts need to put down their “protein drinks” and focus on what they actually know: coffee. Chains across the country have been using this surge in protein cravings to develop new products. This isn’t a health revolution; they’re just trying to make a quick buck. Putting 20+ grams of protein in a sugary latte isn’t a wellness option; it’s a stomach killer waiting to happen. Overconsumption of concentrated protein powders can disrupt your gut bacteria, cause bloating, and put heavy stress on your kidneys. Bodies are not supposed to get a meal’s worth of protein through a caramel Frappuccino. Get your protein in healthier ways, like from chicken, and leave the supplements to the supplement industry. Coffee shops should focus on their espresso and lowering their prices, not competing with GNC. Let’s specialize in what we go there for, not improvise.
Logan Walters: Campaign Tables Are Enough
I understand that the FSU election board is important to you, and maybe getting elected to whatever position you’re running for is extremely exciting to you, but if you keep harassing me on my way to class to vote for you, I’m going to create my own party that pays people to set up their own tables next to yours with the express purpose of scaring away any potential voters so that you stop talking to me. You have a table — that’s enough. Soliciting me so you can play pretend politician is about as annoying as someone can be, outside of solicitors who have their own agenda and prey on college students to support it. So please, leave me alone.
Hot Take Tuesday is a compilation of student opinions from the Views section of the FSView & Florida Flambeau, the student-run, independent online news service for the FSU community. Email our staff at contact@fsview.com. Would you like to submit a Hot Take to be featured? Fill out this form.
