Protein supplements are usually marketed at gym-goers, bodybuilders and people chasing bigger muscles. But the people who may benefit most are often the ones least likely to think about using them: older adults, plant-based eaters, people trying to lose weight without losing muscle, and those recovering from illness, surgery or hospitalisation.
In this episode of One Health Tweak a Week, we look at a more useful question than “Do protein shakes work?”: Are your meals actually giving your muscles enough protein?
You’ll learn why protein needs often rise from our sixties onwards, why appetite and food volume can make those targets harder to reach, and why breakfast is often the meal where the biggest gap quietly appears. We also explain when protein powder can be a sensible top-up, why it shouldn’t replace proper meals, and why “high-protein” snack foods are not the same thing as a useful supplement.
The episode also covers plant-based diets, calorie restriction, recovery after illness, and the essential role of resistance exercise.
By the end, you’ll have a simple way to audit your breakfast, spot a real protein shortfall, and decide whether food alone is enough or whether a simple supplement might help close the gap.
