Do you know how to calculate your changing daily protein needs as you age?

Our need for protein increases as we age. Consume too little of this body building and repairing nutrient and you risk developing low muscle mass and strength

High protein foods include meat, fish, dairy, eggs, buckwheat, oatmeal, nuts, beans, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds

We pick up a protein bar when we’re peckish, add protein powder to porridge and slurp on protein shakes after exercise. This nutrient has never been so popular.

Yet NUTRIMAL, a research project carried out by UCD, DUC and Teagasc, found that a worrying number of those who need protein most were not aware of its importance. Some 36% of middle-aged and elderly people didn’t think protein was a significant part of their diets and 63% didn’t realise they needed more of it as they aged.