The shift towards reduced consumption of animal-based products, referred to as the protein transition, is increasingly viewed as an opportunity to drive sustainable food systems transformations. Here we explore three central paradoxes of the protein transition. The first underscores the focus on substituting animal proteins with alternative sources, rather than reducing overall protein consumption. The second focuses on the search for new protein sources, rather than tackling overconsumption and overproduction. The third involves the continued export of animal proteins from Europe, a practice defended under the guise of food security, efficiency and comparative advantage. These narratives dominate public discourse, justifying existing production and consumption patterns, shaping perceptions and influencing decisions and policies that impact the future direction of our food systems. Given the influence of stakeholders’ narratives in the transition, we advocate for a holistic and systemic perspective that transcends isolated and quick-fix solutions to foster coherent strategies to advance the protein transition.

减少动物性产品消费的转变（称为蛋白质转型）越来越被视为推动可持续粮食系统转型的机会。在这里，我们探讨蛋白质转变的三个中心悖论。第一个强调重点是用替代来源替代动物蛋白，而不是减少总体蛋白质消耗。第二个重点是寻找新的蛋白质来源，而不是解决过度消费和过度生产的问题。第三个涉及从欧洲持续出口动物蛋白，这种做法以粮食安全、效率和比较优势为幌子进行辩护。这些叙述主导了公共话语，证明了现有生产和消费模式的合理性，塑造了观念并影响了影响我们粮食系统未来方向的决策和政策。考虑到利益相关者的叙述对转型的影响，我们主张采用整体和系统的视角，超越孤立和快速修复的解决方案，以制定连贯的策略来推进蛋白质转型。