The Protein Guide For Seniors: Going Deeper

You responded to the last article about protein and fiber. The comments, emails, and questions kept coming. People wanted to know more—more about how much protein they actually need, why their body feels different now, and how to make it work with their specific challenges.

So we’re going deeper. This article focuses entirely on protein. Next week, we’ll do the same for fiber.

If you haven’t read the original article, the quick version: after 60, two nutrients matter most for maintaining your health and independence—protein and fiber. Protein helps you maintain muscle mass, which affects your strength, balance, metabolism, and ability to live independently. You need about 25-30 grams at each main meal.

That’s where we left off. Now let’s talk about why that number matters, what’s happening in your body that makes protein different after 60, and how to actually make this work in your daily life.

Your Muscles Became Pickier About Protein

Something changes in your muscles around age 60. They …