Olympic Star Ilona Maher Slams Protein Obsession: “Don’t Lie to Yourself”
Kai Montgomery here — grumpy, overqualified, and reluctantly sharing truths no one asked for. Oh, wonderful. Another wellness trend that’s less about health and more about Instagram likes. Let’s cut through the noise: Olympic rugby star Ilona Maher isn’t just winning medals on the field — she’s calling out the absurdity of modern diet culture with a level of honesty that’s refreshingly rare. The 29-year-old Bristol Bears player, who helped secure bronze at the Paris Olympics, has had enough of the protein-pushing, carb-shaming, cottage cheese-as-ice-cream nonsense. And honestly? She’s not wrong.
While many athletes and influencers are pushing high-protein, low-carb lifestyles as the ultimate path to fitness, Maher’s take is refreshingly grounded. “I have a high-protein diet,” she admits, “but I also have probably the highest-carb diet ever.” That’s right — she’s not ditching carbs. In fact, she’s proudly eating bagels for breakfast. “Carbs are really the energy that you need — that’s science, truly.” And yes, she’s not making this up. Her body is proof. A trained athlete competing at the highest level doesn’t run on protein shakes alone — it runs on real food, real fuel, and real balance.
Her frustration? The social media wave turning cottage cheese into a magical substitute for everything from mayo to dessert. “I saw a recent one, it was like protein tiramisu,” she says, rolling her eyes. “She dips the rice cake in espresso and then she puts Greek yogurt on there. I was like, that’s not even f—-ing close!” This isn’t just a snack — it’s a performance art piece pretending to be nutrition. And Maher’s not buying it. “Don’t lie to yourself,” she insists. It’s not just about taste; it’s about authenticity. When we replace real ingredients with processed protein powders and dairy hacks, we’re not optimizing health — we’re chasing trends.
Even fellow fitness figure Kylie Kelce echoed the sentiment on her podcast, Not Gonna Lie, questioning why “everything is trying to be high protein.” Both women agree: real food should be the foundation. After training, Maher might grab a quick protein shake — but only because it’s convenient. Otherwise? Eggs. Beef jerky. Real meals. “I just think… I don’t know if we need that much,” she shrugs. “Because I’m doing fine.”
And she’s backed by science. Dr. Joseph Antoun, CEO of longevity company L-Nutra, warns that excessive protein intake — especially from animal sources — can raise insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels. Chronically elevated IGF-1 is linked to accelerated aging and increased cancer risk. So while protein is important, more isn’t always better. Bethenny Frankel recently joined the chorus, calling the obsession “an out-of-control fad” and comparing it to past crazes like keto and carnivore diets — all marketing gimmicks disguised as science.
So what’s the takeaway? Balance. Real food. No illusions. If you’re not training for the Olympics, stop treating your plate like a lab experiment. Your body isn’t a protein calculator — it’s a living machine that thrives on variety, joy, and actual nutrients.
Well, that was a waste of time. Moving on.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post
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