Ask any busy woman over the age of 50 about their nutritional needs and you might hear something like this, “More than ever I try to make healthy choices when I eat, but truthfully, I am not sure if I am getting the right nutrition every day.”

In our three-part series on protein for women, Nestlé Health Science Global Nutrition Translator, Fariba Roughead, helps women over the age of 50 understand the benefits of protein. According to Roughead, “Most women over 50 don’t realize that their protein needs increase as they age!"

But what most women don’t realize is that making changes in their nutrition now will help support good health in the decades to come.

You will also love these articles:

1. Why Vitamin D is a scarce nutrient in your body
2. Top 10 foods for protein
3. Best times of the day to take your protein drink

50+ and still building muscles

Protein is an essential nutrient that is needed in the diet every single day and, unlike carbohydrates and fat, our bodies do not store protein. Think of your body as a protein-processing factory. When protein is consumed from food and supplements, it is broken down into individual amino acids that are then used to help build and preserve lean muscle. Protein also plays an important role in several bodily functions other than muscle health and therefore is recognized as a dynamic and critical nutrient.

Like an aging factory, your body gets less efficient at using the protein you eat to help support muscle health. To help you get enough protein as you age, try to spread your protein intake out over each main meal and snacks. BOOST^® High Protein , which packs 20 g of protein plus 26 vitamins and minerals is a good place to start.