Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake 50+
- Informed-Sport Certified (screened for most banned substances)
- The complete amino acid profile
- Vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, and without genetically modified organisms (GMO)
Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
- 100% grass-fed whey protein
- Large range of delicious flavors
- 28 g of protein per serving
ALOHA Protein Drink
- Plant-based protein drink with 20 grams of protein per bottle
- Easy to digest
- Gluten-free, sugar-free, and made without any artificial ingredients
Protein drinks are a fantastic way to get additional protein into one’s diet, and when it comes to seniors, there seems to be great benefit from taking them. There are myriad low-calorie protein powders, and unique protein shakes on the market, all claiming they have the best ingredients and the highest quality, but it’s important to do a little bit more research before buying the first one you see.
There are plenty of factors to consider when choosing the best protein drink for the elderly, starting from its source (whether it’s whey protein or vegan protein), additional ingredients, and caloric value to whether there’s a presence of digestive enzymes, vitamins, and of course, the price.
Best Protein Powder For Seniors In (February. 2024)
- Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake 50+ – Editor’s Choice
- Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate – Best Whey Protein
- ALOHA Protein Drink – Best Protein Drink in a Bottle
- Ladder Plant-Based Nutrition Shake – Best for Digestive Health
- Orgain Clean Protein – Best Budget-Friendly
Best Protein Drink For Elderly In 2024
Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake 50+
Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake 50+ is a vegan protein shake with a complete amino acid profile and 20 grams of protein per serving, perfect for seniors looking to increase their daily protein intake.
- 20 grams of protein per serving with an additional 370 milligrams of calcium
- Informed-Sport Certified (screened for most banned substances)
- The complete amino acid profile
- Vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, and without genetically modified organisms (GMO)
- Expensive for a one-time purchase, but they offer a discount if you choose a subscription model
Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake 50+ is vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, and made without GMOs, and it’s one of the best high-protein drinks for seniors on the market. It’s made with organic pea or rice protein and organic coconut medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, making it easy to digest and absorb.
It’s sweetened with natural monk fruit and includes 370 milligrams (mg) of bone-supporting calcium and 200 mg of choline. Ritual’s formula is third-party tested to ensure high quality, potency, and purity, and it’s made traceable, so you know exactly where your ingredients are coming from.
Their protein shake is meant to help support muscle maintenance in seniors, promote bone and brain health, and support feelings of satiety, helping you stay fueled throughout your daily activities.
Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate is a high-protein protein shake that helps you maintain and increase muscle mass without artificial ingredients and unnecessary sweeteners.
- 100% grass-fed whey protein concentrate
- Large range of delicious flavors
- 28 g of protein per serving
- Expensive
- Not suitable for vegans and those having trouble digesting whey protein
Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate has one of the highest protein-by-weight ratios on the market. Their 32-gram scoop contains an astonishing 28 grams of protein. Made from 100% grass-fed American cows, their whey protein isolate formula is clean and made without any artificial ingredients and sweeteners. Sweetened only with stevia, their seven delicious flavors are bound to satisfy any sweet tooth and with it, promote muscle maintenance and muscle gain for seniors.
It’s considered to be one of the best protein drinks for seniors due to its clean easy-to-digest, and fast-acting formula that successfully supplies all the essential amino acids straight in one single scoop. Transparent Labs is a well-trusted supplement company that’s often named one of the best protein powder brands on the market, making it a safe choice for the elderly who need more protein daily.
ALOHA Protein Drink
ALOHA Protein Drink is a clean plant-based protein drink that’s derived from organic coconuts and offers 20 grams per serving, conveniently packed in one-serving bottles.
- Plant-based protein drink with 20 grams of protein per bottle
- Easy to digest
- Gluten-free, sugar-free, and made without any artificial ingredients
- Could be expensive for a 12-pack, but with discounts when signed up for a subscription
ALOHA Protein Drink is a vegan protein shake that’s easy to digest and comes with the cleanest ingredients. Made from organic coconut water and coconut cream and without any artificial ingredients, additives, fillers, or sweeteners, it’s one of the purest and easiest-to-digest plant-based protein shakes on the market.
It comes in four delicious flavors (vanilla, chocolate, coffee, and coconut) and two sizes (11 ounces (oz) and 12 oz)) and is conveniently packed in one serving bottle of 20 grams of protein. Aloha is a newly certified B Corporation, meaning they’re using sustainable and good manufacturing practices for the greater good. Their products are certified organic and non-GMO verified, taking great care about what goes into their protein powders, protein shakes, and protein bars.
ALOHA Protein Drink is a perfect healthy high-protein supplement for the elderly who need something light and satisfying to push through the day without artificial ingredients and potentially inflammatory additives.
Ladder Plant-Based Nutrition Shake
Ladder Plant-Based Nutrition Shake is a great plant-based protein shake that offers 20 grams of protein in every scoop, enriched with vitamins, minerals, and fiber to support your digestion and increase absorption.
- 20 grams of plant-based protein
- Gluten-free, non-GMO, and made without artificial flavors, additives, fillers, or sweeteners
- Added vitamins, minerals, and fiber to support digestive health and increase absorption
- Only one flavor (chocolate)
- Expensive if not signed up for a subscription
Ladder Plant-Based Nutrition Shake is made from organic pea protein and helps supply your body with 20 grams of essential amino acids per serving. It’s an easy-to-digest and fast-acting protein shake that includes only real ingredients and zero artificial fillers, additives, thickening agents, or sweeteners.
20 grams of protein support lean muscle growth and muscle mass maintenance and the additional 26 vitamins, minerals, and seven grams of fiber aid your digestion, increase nutrient absorption, and promote bone health. It’s one of the best all-in-one nutrition drinks for seniors on the market.
Founded by Lebron James and Arnold Schwarzenegger, two veterans in the field of athletic nutrition and performance, they left no question about the high quality of their ingredients. Even though it comes in only one flavor (chocolate), Ladder Plant-Based Nutrition Shake can be bought in four-size bags or even as on-the-go packets that are convenient and easy to use. You can even get a small sampler to try it out before deciding on the bigger bag.
Orgain Clean Protein
Orgain Clean Protein is a great and affordable single-serving grass-fed whey protein shake that contains all essential amino acids and promotes an increase in lean muscle mass while being convenient for all of those on-the-go situations.
- 20 grams of clean, grass-fed whey protein per serving
- Affordable
- Gluten-free, soy-free, kosher, and made without artificial ingredients and sweeteners
- Not suited for vegans and those who can’t digest whey protein
Orgain Clean Protein is made from grass-fed and organic cows, and it’s free of any artificial ingredients. The formula of this high-protein nutrition drink is also gluten-free, soy-free, sugar-free, and labeled kosher while supplying you with 20 grams of fast-absorbing protein.
Conveniently packed in single-serving bottles, Orgain Clean Protein is low-calorie (only 130 calories) and can fit into anyone’s diet, aiding weight loss and preventing lean muscle mass loss at the same time. It’s great as a snack, an easy breakfast, or a delicious high-protein dessert to satisfy your sweet cravings. Seniors find this protein shake to be one of the best nutritional drinks, supplying them with much-needed protein building blocks while helping them manage their weight and keep them satiated throughout the day.
Should Seniors Take Protein Drinks?
Seniors can greatly benefit from drinking high-quality protein shakes, especially[1] when it comes to recovery from an illness, injury, or even surgery, as well as a form of reaching their daily protein goals without having to worry about getting it from food sources.
As we age, our ability to digest protein-rich foods and absorb the necessary nutrients diminishes, and we’re quickly and easily losing lean muscle mass. Research[2] suggests that “fast protein” might be better and more beneficial for muscle maintenance and even muscle gain than a “slow protein.” This can slow down the loss of muscle mass and help support your overall health and longevity goals.
Adequate and sufficient protein intake is crucial for the health of your muscles, ensuring the supply of essential amino acids that stimulate protein synthesis. Studies show[3] that the current recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for protein for the elderly is too low, especially if taken solely from food sources where there’s a big chance it won’t be digested and absorbed properly.
This RDA is 0.8 grams per kilogram (g/kg) per day, and experts[4] recommend a much higher protein intake that would at the lowest be between 1.2 and 2.0 g/kg per day, with a possibility of even going higher than that number.
Benefits Of Protein Drinks For Seniors
As we age, we begin to lose lean muscle mass and, with it, deteriorate our health. Adding protein drinks into your diet can help you prevent muscle loss while adding the necessary vitamins and minerals to support your immune system, heart health, bone health, and brain health.
Some of the best protein shakes for seniors include added micronutrients and fiber, which will further improve your digestion and nutrient absorption and even speed up your metabolism, helping you thrive.
Sufficient protein intake for seniors is crucial for a plethora of body functions, regardless of their physical activity and fitness level. It helps them maintain lean muscle mass, improve their balance, maintain good agility levels, and prevent impairment of their immune system, protecting[5] them from disease.
It also supports their health on a cellular level, keeping their nails, hair, and bones strong and healthy. High-protein diets in the elderly also improve their vision, keep balanced fluid levels, and promote a balance[6] of all hormones, slowing down aging and its processes.
Potential Risks Of Protein Drinks For Elderly
Regardless of some great protein powder brands out there, there are, unfortunately, plenty of those with not-the-cleanest ingredients and high sugar content, which can be harmful to seniors. These artificial and often cheap ingredients can cause a variety of digestion issues and inflammation, compromising your immune system and increasing the risk of disease.
These nutritional drinks can also contain a plethora of vitamins and minerals, which might be dangerous when interacting with specific medications. It’s always important to talk to your healthcare provider before adding any kind of nutritional supplement to your diet, especially if you’re already on a medication regimen or any kind of treatment.
Most of these protein shakes are low-calorie, but some protein supplements can come in the form of a high-calorie drink, potentially causing weight gain and additional health problems for seniors.
Your daily protein goals might be completely different than someone else’s, and it’s important to take great care in fine-tuning your diet to best fit your health needs.
How To Consider The Best Protein Powder For Elderly?
The best protein and nutritional drink for seniors has to tick a few important boxes to be beneficial to their long-term health:
- High quality – the ingredients of protein shakes for seniors have to be high-quality and from a trusted source so that there’s minimal risk of inflammation or illness
- Enough protein – the serving size of protein shakes needs to be adequate to meet at least the recommended RDA if not more, as suggested by experts
- A complete amino acid profile – choose that protein shakes with all essential amino acids. This stimulates better protein synthesis and faster absorption
- Zero artificial ingredients and sugar – artificial ingredients and high amounts of sugar are known[7] to cause inflammation, weight gain, and potential metabolic diseases
- Diet preferences – the best protein shakes for seniors need to adhere to their diet preferences. Suppose they’re following a vegan diet or are lactose intolerant. In that case, they need to find a high-quality plant-based protein shake with clean ingredients
- Additional micronutrients – it’s always best to find protein shakes that have more than just essential amino acids and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in their formula. If your doctor approves it, choose products with added calcium and choline for bone health, magnesium for recovery, vitamin C for your immune system, and fiber for improved digestion
- Right caloric value – some seniors need a higher caloric ratio because they’re trying to gain weight or recover from an injury or disease, while others will benefit from low-calorie options and weight loss
Final Word
Protein shakes are a great and convenient way of adding more protein to your daily diet. Aging accelerates lean muscle mass loss and slows digestion and nutrient absorption. The best protein shakes the elderly can take daily contain a decent amount of protein per serving and zero artificial ingredients or sugars.
These protein shakes can help maintain lean muscle mass and even help with muscle gain while promoting weight loss. Keeping your muscles healthy and nutrient-replenished helps your overall health and longevity, so paying attention to your macronutrient ratios every day is important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aging causes muscle loss at a much faster rate than you think, and adding sufficient protein to your daily diet will help slow it down as well as prevent it from happening. Maintaining healthy muscles helps with a plethora of other processes in the human body, supports your immune system, and keeps your bones and blood vessels healthy.
Yes, protein shakes are safe for the elderly as long as they contain only clean ingredients and zero artificial additives, fillers, thickening agents, sweeteners, as well as sugars. It’s also great for keeping them satiated and fueled for their daily activities.
Usually post-workout or physical activity as that’s when their muscles will be able to absorb protein the best.
The best products are those with adequate protein, clean ingredients, and zero artificial ingredients and sugars.