Health, Diet
These days, people over 50 want to pack in more activities than ever before.
Forget spending all your time at home; Nestlé Health Science research shows that the 50+ gen are planning on travelling more, taking up hobbies and learning new skills.
However, what people don’t know is that nutrition plays a crucial role in keeping up energy levels and maintaining an overall zest for life. I for one was surprised to learn that when we are over 50 we need more B vitamins and iron for energy and more protein for muscle and bone health and I’m not alone. Research carried out by Nestlé Health Science for Meritene, found that 77% of people interviewed also didn’t realise that you need to increase your protein intake as you get older.
Rather than slowing down in our fifties and sixties as our grandparents did, we are now living busier lives than ever before. The demands of a career and family can be tiring and the sheer effort of keeping fit can leave us feeling exhausted. Although I love being able to run at weekend with my daughter, I still need so much energy to keep up with a sprightly 30-year-old.
What I have also learned is that protein should be your starting point for each meal of the day. We need 0.6g of protein per kilo of body weight, so at 65kg I need about 39g of protein per day. A small amount of protein at each meal will help to keep me feeling fuller for longer, avoiding the need to snack and take in more calories than I need, and it will also help to give me more energy.
Nutritionist Juliette Kellow explains, “As we get older, our body uses proteins, vitamins and minerals differently so ensuring we have enough of these nutrients in our diet to support good health is important to maintain a busy lifestyle”.
Protein is needed to maintain every cell in the body, for healthy skin and hair, for strong bones, brain function and the production of hormones. Protein also contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass which declines at a rate of 1% each year after the age of 50. The combination of good muscle mass and strong bones isn’t just aesthetically pleasing as you get older, it’s also essential for independent living. As well as being able to run, I want to do bodyweight exercises that go beyond carrying my own shopping home. Simple exercises will help me retain my independence alongside having a well-balanced diet to support my healthy lifestyle.
As well as being needed for growth and to repair tissues but unlike macronutrients, fat and carbohydrates; protein is not stored in the body so any that isn’t used is removed as waste. This is why we need small amounts throughout the day to keep our levels topped up.
It’s never been easier to get the correct amount of protein, minerals and essential vitamins for muscle mass, strong bones and energy. Meritene is a range of nutritional shakes and soups which contain a unique blend of high quality protein, 10 vitamins and 6 minerals which have been specifically designed to help release energy and reduce tiredness, while supporting muscle and bone health.
Taking good care of yourself can be as simple as a nutritious cup of soup
Although I eat a well-balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, I’m often in a rush first thing in the morning. I am slightly obsessed with my NutriBullet and love to put together a smoothie before dashing out of the house. The Meritene Strength & Vitality Shake is the perfect addition to boost a fresh fruit smoothie to a protein packed meal. In fact the products in the Meritene range are so versatile you can use them as they are for a convenient and speedy snack or incorporate them into your own recipes.
This ‘Feeling Fruity Smoothie’ has become my favourite since I’ve been testing the Meritene range. It’s quick and easy to make and gets the day off to a good start, and it stops me wanting to snack before lunch!
When I met Nadia Sawalha last year I was impressed by her vitality and now I know her secret. She has been using Meritene to boost her energy levels. She says, “I love being in my 50s and I’m packing in so much more than I ever did when I was younger, both personally and professionally. It’s an exciting time but it’s not all plain sailing as it does come with its challenges. I need my physical health and energy levels to keep up with what I want to do, as I can often feel tired and not as full of energy as I used to.
Understanding that my nutritional needs are changing as I get older means that I must fuel my body with what it needs to keep up with my bonkers life. I didn’t realise that my tiredness could’ve been helped by having certain nutrients, like Vitamins B2, B6, C & Iron, in my diet. That’s why I’ve now created a series of recipes using the Meritene range to give my generation a tasty and super easy way to get the protein, vitamins anminerals we all need to get the best out of life – we deserve it!”
As a former Master Chef winner, and the author of five best-selling cookery books, Nadia really is the ideal woman to show us just how easy it is to make protein packed meals in minutes using the Meritene range of products. Check out these three meal ideas:
Sexy Seafood Soup (which incorporates Meritene Strength & Vitality Vegetable Soup)
On-The-Go Snack Bites (which incorporates Meritene Strength & Vitality Chocolate Shake)
Feeling Fruity Smoothie (which incorporates Meritene Strength & Vitality Strawberry Shake)
Don’t forget if you are looking after elderly relatives, they will also need to make sure they are getting enough protein in their diets, Meritene offers an easy way to boost their intake with their ready to drink chocolate and strawberry Strength & Vitality Shakes as well as the convenient to use Soup and Shake sachets.
Visit Meritene for more information and buy the Meritene range from all leading pharmacies and Boots online and in store.
This article was sponsored by Nestlé Health Science but the words, views and images are my own.
