If you’re an older adult with a limited appetite or for some reason your diet is incomplete, then you may not be consuming enough protein. You can compensate by finding the best protein powder for seniors that fits your lifestyle and taste. However, excessive intake is not a good thing and could be dangerous.
Our Picks for Best Protein Powder for Elderly
Our top choice is the Legion Whey+ Protein Powder because it packs high-quality whey protein isolate into a tasty serving. The other two in the table are also good if you are on a budget.
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Our Reviews of the Best Protein Powder for Seniors
1. Legion Whey+ Protein Powder — Best Whey Protein Powder for Seniors
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This product features the highest quality whey protein extracted from Irish grass-fed milk sourced from certified sustainable dairy producers. The small Irish dairy farms produce some of the purest and healthiest milk available. The stringent production standards and quality ingredients used make this a top contender for the best protein supplements for seniors.
Ireland’s Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS) certifies that the farmers follow best practices for sustainability, product quality, animal treatment, traceability, and pasture management.
There are 30 servings per 2-pound container. Each serving contains 22 grams of protein per serving with less than 4 grams of carbohydrate and no more than 2 grams of fat (varies with flavor).
Pros
- Easy on the stomach and excellent tasting, like dessert, users say.
- 90 percent protein/weight ratio.
- No artificial sweeteners or flavors used and lactose-free.
- 100 percent natural, no additives.
- 10 flavors.
Cons
- Natural flavors can lack appeal to some users.
2. Transparent Lab ProteinSeries 100% Grass-fed Whey Protein Isolate — Best Taste
This whey protein is extracted from naturally grass-fed cow’s milk whey from American cows raised on grass-only diets, without any steroids or hormones.
No artificial sweeteners, food dyes, gluten, or preservatives are used. Users say that all the flavors are delicious, whether mixed with water, milk, or fruit juice in a smoothie.
Each 2-pound container has 30 servings. The 28 grams of protein per 32-gram scoop is equivalent to an 88 percent protein-by-weight ratio.
Pros
- Great tasting protein supplement with eight flavors without an aftertaste.
- Mixes easily.
- No bloating.
Cons
- Not available as an unflavored option
3. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder — Most Flavors
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Each serving contains 24 grams of blended protein made up of whey protein concentrate and isolate with whey peptides. Sweetened with sucralose, each portion contains over 5 grams of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). There are 29-scoops per 2-pound container.
Optimum Nutrition applies high product sourcing and manufacturing standards. The Optimum Gold Standard undergoes regular banned substance tests and claims to be the most awarded whey protein powder.
Pros
- Available in over 20 flavors with three naturally flavored options.
- Some flavors, such as double chocolate, do not use artificial sweeteners.
- ‘Instantized’ for easy mixing.
- Four different sizes available: 1, 2, 5, and 10 pounds.
Cons
- A run of bad batches disappointed many long-term users a couple of years ago.
- The taste of the artificial sweetener used in some flavors.
4. Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey Protein Powder — Best Value Whey Protein
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This offering from Body Fortress is American-made whey protein. It comes in 2 and 4-pound containers, each providing 18 or 36 servings, respectively.
One scoop offers 30 grams of protein. Each serving has 12 grams of added creatine and of other branched-chain amino acids. And with 125 milligrams of cholesterol, that’s less than the average amount from one egg.
The product uses sucralose as a sweetener. It tastes artificially sweet, but mixing it with yogurt, milk, or other (creamy) liquids overcomes that. It is a good option for the elderly who are on a budget.
Pros
- Mixes well.
- Seven flavors available.
- Affordable.
Cons
- Labeling can be misleading as it states 60 grams of protein, but this requires two scoops.
5. Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein — Cleanest Protein Per Serving
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This clean, plant-based protein is made from US-grown organic peas that are produced with responsible farming practices. Each portion (two scoops) contains 30 grams of protein and 5 grams of BCAAs, as well as glutamine and glutamic acid.
Vegan foods resemble the nutrition humans evolved with, so a healthy diet using plant-based protein is not only for those that are lactose intolerant. Garden of Life is well tested and certified as USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified. It’s also approved by the National Sports Foundation.
We like the blend of organic high-antioxidant fruits used, including tart cherries, apples, Goji berries, and blueberries along with turmeric, and that it’s sweetened with natural stevia. You can use it to make a natural protein shake for yourself.
Pros
- Gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free.
- No added sugars.
- All ingredients are naturally ripened and are harvested and produced without any technological modification.
- Pea protein contains large portions of fiber.
Cons
- Peas are higher in carbohydrates than whey made from wheat.
6. Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder — Best Value Plant-Based Supplement
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Orgain offers a delicious and nutritious protein powder made with vanilla beans, which rates high among tasters. With each serving containing 21 grams of protein along with 5 grams of fiber and 5 grams of carbs adding up to 150 calories, some consider this an occasional meal replacement. There are 20 servings of two scoops in each container.
Made with USDA Organic certified pea protein, chia seeds, and brown rice, it’s high in fiber. The creamer base uses Acacia gum, Oleic sunflower oil, rice bran extract and Rosemary.
Pros
- Soy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, and free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
- Complete amino acid profile.
- Travel packs also available containing one portion in packs of 10.
- Choice of unsweetened or vanilla bean flavor naturally sweetened with stevia.
Cons
- Can be difficult to mix well in non-creamy liquids.
7. Genius Vegan Protein Powder — Best Texture
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With 20 servings per container, each scoop provides 20 grams of protein. The Genius Vegan Protein powder gives a creamy, smooth texture enjoyed by users and can be a meal replacement to overcome hunger-cravings.
It uses Velositol, a well-reviewed ‘protein supercharger’ that enables protein uptake in muscles. Velositol is a plant-based nutrient enhancer that performed well in human clinical trials, helping to boost muscle-building activity after exercise.
Pros
- Mixes well in water.
- Can even be used as creamer in coffee.
- Uses Velositol, which doubles the power of protein and increases muscle protein synthesis.
Cons
- Some people notice a mild chalky taste. But it’s easily disguised by mixing with dairy, almond milk, or other foods.
Why Do Elderly People Need More Protein?
Many seniors are not getting enough protein. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey revealed that up to 46 percent of older adults do not meet national protein intake recommendations.
Recent research found that the recommended daily dose of protein is inadequate for many, and that equally important is to distribute protein consumption through the length of the day.
For elderly people, among other benefits, a protein-rich diet helps prevent losing muscle, which is essential for maintaining mobility and reducing the risk of falls.
How Much Protein Should Elderly People Get?
According to the National Institute of Health, adults should ensure that protein should be 10 – 35 percent of their daily calorie intake. So if you consume 2000 calories, then that should include at least 3.5 ounces of protein.
But recent insights warn that that may not be enough for seniors. Older people may require as much as 0.54 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should eat 81 grams or 3 ounces of protein daily.
The benefit of increasing protein intake is stronger bones and muscles that enable you to get up from your chair, walk instead of driving, do work around the house, or play with your grandchildren. Even simple chores like getting dressed or taking a bath shower will be safer and easier with healthy muscles.
Why Is Protein Important?
Protein is an essential nutrient for your body. Every part of your body needs protein, like your muscles, bones, organs, skin, nails, and hair.
Protein is also vital for growing and repairing cells and body tissue. You require protein to recover from illness or surgery, heal from injuries, keep good vision, maintain the balance of fluid levels, and to maintain your digestive enzymes and hormones in equilibrium.
When you lack sufficient protein, your metabolism will consume muscle mass, and you’ll lose bone strength. As seniors age, they use protein less effectively, and so their bodies will require more protein intake. But as appetite declines, this leaves a deficit.
And this matters since the elderly are inclined to lose more muscle mass with inadequate protein intake. Insufficient protein also increases the risk of illness and injury.
While eating natural foods is always a preferred way to consume nutrients, if your protein intake is insufficient, supplementation with powders may be the right thing to do.
What Kind of Protein Powder Is Best for Seniors?
Most people serious about their fitness include some type of protein supplement in their diet. And there is plenty of evidence that protein powder builds muscle strength in elderly. Best results are gained when protein shakes are consumed before or after some type of physical activity.
Research suggests that whey protein has a lot going for it for seniors struggling to rebuild muscle lost due to lack of activity or extended hospital stays. If you’re trying to lose weight, build muscle, or just maintain your health, whey protein is ideal for you.
The best protein powder for seniors will also be rich in essential amino acids and be easy to digest and absorb.
What Are the Benefits of Good Protein Intake for Seniors?
While protein-rich foods and supplements provide the ideal nutrient amounts, there are many benefits for seniors:
- Reduced blood sugars: Protein benefits elderly people by reducing blood sugars and improving insulin sensitivity.
- Recovery from injuries: Protein is needed for our body to rebuild muscle tissue.
- Sufficient amino acids: Amino acids help strengthen tendons and ligaments for increased strength and mobility.
- More energy: Lethargy and tiredness will decrease if daily protein intake is kept up.
What to Consider When Buying Protein Powder for Old People
Protein supplements have a lot of benefits for older people, but like any other significant change to your nutrition, we must recommend you check with your doctor or nutritionist beforehand.
- Switching to a high protein diet can impact your digestion and does carry the risk of complications. This is especially significant if you’re taking medication or suffering from any chronic ailment.
- Avoid exceeding 40 grams of protein at a time and, better still, spread the daily dose over the day.
- Even if you feel satiated, or there’s mention of meal replacement, for a healthy diet, these protein meals are incomplete. Always ensure your intake of fresh produce, carbs, and other nutrients adhere to recommended guidelines.
Elderly people are recommended to discuss nutritional supplements with their pharmacist to check if interactions with their medications and the ingredients in the protein powder.
Our Verdict
If you want to prepare protein drink for the elderly then we recommend the Legion Whey+ Protein Powder as the best protein powder for seniors. The quality of the milk used, high production standards, and healthy ingredient mix make this an excellent choice as a natural supplement.
If you want to avoid the premium cost to benefit from increasing your protein intake, then the best value we found is the Body Fortress Whey Protein Powder.
For those who are lactose intolerant or who prefer an entirely vegan product, we strongly recommend the Garden of Life Organic Protein.
Which one appeals to you? Do you have any experience with protein powder you can share?
