How Much Protein Do Women Need?
Getting enough protein is important for everyone, but especially women after 40.
Here's the scoop on why!
- To maintain muscle mass. As we age, we naturally lose muscle mass. This can lead to a number of health problems, including decreased strength, balance, and mobility. Protein helps to build and maintain muscle mass.
- To prevent bone loss. Protein also helps to build and maintain bones. Bone loss is a common problem in women after menopause, and it can increase the risk of fractures.
- To boost metabolism. Protein can help to boost metabolism, which is the rate at which the body burns calories.
- To control your weight. Protein helps you feel satisfied and curbs cravings. It does this by influencing hormones that regulate hunger. Protein reduces the levels of ghrelin, the hunger hormone, which will naturally lead to eating less calories per day.
So, how much do we need?
This all depends on your lean body mass. But most of us fall short. The average woman needs 75-100 grams per day. Instead of aiming for a total count per day, I prefer to break it down per meal. One easy way to get enough is to make sure each meal has 20-30g protein.
Some of my favorite protein sources…
-Inspire Wellness Collagen Protein (easy to add to coffee, oats, smoothie, your favorite milk, yogurt or non-dairy yogurt)
-Pasture Raised Eggs
-Organic Ground Turkey
-Organic Chicken
-Wild or Responsibly-Raised Salmon
-Wild Salmon Packets or Wild Tuna Packets
Some of my favorite high protein snacks
- Tru Bars or Rx Bars
- Inspire Wellness Chocolate Collagen mixed with Almond Milk
- Inspire Wellness Unflavored Collagen mixed with coffee or tea
- Broad Beans 100 Calorie Pack
- Chomps Meat Sticks
- Edamame
- Hard Boiled Eggs
- Cheese Stick