Key takeaways:
Getting enough protein keeps muscles strong and healthy — which improves your mobility and lowers the risk of falls.
People need more protein as they get older, but it can be challenging to get enough protein from your diet. The right protein supplement can help you reach your daily protein goals.
When choosing a protein drink, look for one with at least 30 g of protein per serving. But it’s important to consider taste, cost, and availability too.
Protein is an essential nutrient, and you need more of it as you get older. Without protein, you can’t build muscle mass or repair injured muscle tissue.
As you get older, you naturally lose muscle mass. Low muscle mass can affect your mobility and balance, and make you more prone to falls and injuries. That’s why it’s so important to maintain your muscle mass.
It’s always best to get nutrients, including protein, from foods. But research shows that many older adults have a hard time keeping up with their protein needs through diet alone.
That’s when protein supplements, like ready-to-drink protein shakes, can help. But not all protein drinks are the same. Some protein drinks are designed with the health of older adults in mind. These protein drinks can help you get the protein you need to keep your muscles strong and healthy.
What should you look for in a protein drink?
Research shows that getting enough protein can increase your muscle mass and improve your quality of life as you get older. If you’re not getting enough protein from your diet, a protein supplement can help.
Here are some things to keep in mind as you choose a protein drink.
Nutritional content
Check the nutritional label so you know how much protein is in your supplement. You want a supplement that contains 30 g of protein per serving size, which is usually 1 bottle. Many protein drinks use whey protein, which is a complete protein that contains all nine essential amino acids. Whey protein may support muscle health in older adults who have trouble eating enough protein.
Some supplements have added vitamins. You may want a supplement with added calcium and vitamin D to help with bone health. Protein drinks also contain sugar, so it’s important to take note of how much sugar is in each drink. This is especially important if you have diabetes or are trying to limit your sugar intake.
Taste
You’re much more likely to finish a protein drink if it tastes good. Nutritional drinks for older adults come in many flavors and also have different textures. You might find certain textures easier and more pleasant to drink. You may need to try several brands until you find the right combination of flavor and texture.
Cost
You’ll want to find a protein drink that fits into your budget. It’s also a good idea to check with your insurance to see if it covers protein supplements. Some commercial insurances and Medicaid cover protein supplements. You may need a letter of medical necessity from your primary care provider to secure insurance coverage. Keep in mind that Medicare doesn’t cover nutritional drinks for older adults.
Availability
You want to choose a protein drink that you can easily stock up on when you need to. Choosing a protein shake that’s available at your local grocery store or retail pharmacy makes it easier to keep a steady supply of drinks at home.
To get you started, here’s a review of five protein drinks and what you can expect in terms of nutrition, cost, and availability.
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1. Ensure Complete
Ensure Complete is a high-calorie supplement. Ensure products first became available in 1973, making them one of the most established brands of nutritional supplements.
A 10 oz bottle of Ensure Complete contains:
30 g of protein
15 g of sugar
10 mcg of vitamin D
520 mg of calcium
350 calories
Ensure Complete also contains additional vitamins and minerals and is gluten free.
It comes in three flavors: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. It also has a very thick texture, and you’ll have to give the bottle a good shake before drinking it.
Ensure is widely available and can be found in almost all major grocery stores and retail pharmacies, as well as on the Abbott Laboratories website.
A case of 16 bottles costs about $65. It’s also SNAP/EBT eligible.
2. Boost High Protein Nutritional Drink
Boost High Protein Nutritional Drink is a “mini-meal” smoothie drink option. The Boost product line was developed in 2001.
An 8 oz Boost High Protein Nutritional Drink contains:
20 g of protein
11 g of sugar
12 mcg of vitamin D
380 mg of calcium
250 calories
Boost High Protein Nutritional Drink, which contains additional vitamins and minerals, is gluten free.
It’s available in several flavors, including chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, as well as Cinnabon.
It has a thick texture, and you’ll need to shake it before drinking.
As a long-standing brand, Boost products can be found in almost all major grocery stores and retail pharmacies. You can also purchase Boost products directly from Nestlé.
A case of 24 bottles costs about $45. Boost drinks are SNAP/EBT eligible.
3. Fairlife Core Power Elite
Fairlife Core Power Elite is a newer protein shake that’s a good option for people who need a high-protein but low-carbohydrate option.
A 14 oz bottle of Fairlife Core Power Elite contains:
42 g of protein
8 g of sugar
10 mcg of vitamin D
900 mg of calcium
230 calories
Fairlife Core Power Elite is gluten free, but it doesn’t contain as many vitamins as other brands. It has a smooth texture and is available in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors.
As a newer brand, this product may be harder to find at your local store. But you can purchase cases online from the manufacturer. A case of 12 is about $47.
4. Kate Farms Nutrition Shake
Kate Farms Nutrition Shake is a plant-based meal-replacement option. If you’re looking for a dairy-free, vegetarian option, this could be the right choice.
An 11 oz carton of Kate Farms Nutrition Shake contains:
16 g of protein
18 g of sugar
7 mcg of vitamin D
330 mg of calcium
330 calories
Kate Farms Nutrition Shake contains fiber and additional vitamins and minerals. It’s gluten free and available in four flavors: chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and coffee.
A case of 12 costs about $51. This brand may be harder to find at local stores, but you can purchase cases directly from the manufacturer.
5. Premier Protein Shake
Founded in 1997, Premier Protein is another long-standing company that offers a variety of protein supplement options, including drinks. It’s a low-sugar, low-calorie shake that may be right for people trying to limit their sugar intake.
An 11.5 oz bottle of Premier Protein contains:
30 g of protein
1 g of sugar
6 mcg of vitamin D
650 mg of calcium
160 calories
Premier Protein contains additional vitamins and minerals but doesn’t have fiber. It’s available in traditional flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. There are also more creative options like salted caramel popcorn, cookie dough, winter mint, and pumpkin spice.
A case of 12 is about $45. Premier Protein products can be found at many retail pharmacies and specialty stores. But you can also purchase products directly from the manufacturer.
Frequently asked questions
The best high-protein foods depend on your health, food preferences, and any medical conditions you have. For example, people who have trouble swallowing may do better with softer high-protein foods like yogurt or cottage cheese. Some other high-protein foods include:
Eggs
Chicken
Fish
Beans
Lentils
Tofu
Nuts
If you're not eating enough calories or are at risk for malnutrition, a protein drink like Ensure or Boost may be a better choice. That’s because it provides:
Protein
Calories
Vitamins
Minerals
A protein powder may be a better option if you just need to eat more protein. Your healthcare team or a dietitian can help you choose the best option for you.
The best high-protein foods depend on your health, food preferences, and any medical conditions you have. For example, people who have trouble swallowing may do better with softer high-protein foods like yogurt or cottage cheese. Some other high-protein foods include:
Eggs
Chicken
Fish
Beans
Lentils
Tofu
Nuts
If you're not eating enough calories or are at risk for malnutrition, a protein drink like Ensure or Boost may be a better choice. That’s because it provides:
Protein
Calories
Vitamins
Minerals
A protein powder may be a better option if you just need to eat more protein. Your healthcare team or a dietitian can help you choose the best option for you.
The bottom line
Protein keeps your muscles healthy and strong. You need more protein as you get older. Some people find it hard to eat enough protein each day. Protein drinks can help you get the protein you need when food-first options aren’t enough. Protein drinks designed for older adults contain protein, vitamins, and minerals that support bone and muscle health. You can find nutritional drinks for older adults in grocery stores, retail pharmacies, and manufacturer websites.
Why trust our experts?
References
Baum, J. I., et al. (2016). Protein consumption and the elderly: What is the optimal level of intake? Nutrients.
Boost. (n.d.). BOOST high protein nutritional drink.
Boost. (n.d.). BOOST High Protein Nutritional Drink, Very Vanilla, 12 Count.
Chanet, A., et al. (2017). Supplementing breakfast with a vitamin D and leucine-enriched whey protein medical nutrition drink enhances postprandial muscle protein synthesis and muscle mass in healthy older men. The Journal of Nutrition.
Chapman, I., et al. (2021). Rational use of protein supplements in the elderly — relevance of gastrointestinal mechanisms. Nutrients.
Ensure. (n.d.). Ensure COMPLETE Nutrition Shake, 10 OZ, 4 CT, Vanilla.
Fairlife. (n.d.). Core Power 26g.
Kate Farms. (n.d.). Nutrition shake.
Kate Farms. (2024). Nutrition shake.
Nasimi, N., et al. (2023). Whey protein supplementation with or without vitamin D on sarcopenia-related measures: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Advances in Nutrition.
Premier Protein. (n.d.). Product list.
Yongsoon, P., et al. (2018). Protein supplementation improves muscle mass and physical performance in undernourished prefrail and frail elderly subjects: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
