5 signs I wasn't getting enough protein as a active 40-something year old

So it turns out that the carb heavy diet that has served me so well throughout my whole life wasn’t serving me so well lately…. I love a sandwich, I love “things on toast” - and that’s just the starchy stuff.  I have always had a seriously sweet tooth - possibly the product of being brought up slurping on ribena in the 80’s (way before they took all the sugar out). 

Anyway, I was working with my PT - Emily, and having a few issues with my body and she suggested that maybe my woes were in line with not getting enough protein in my diet.  It is a really common issue apparently- especially in people who move a lot AND in woman in peri menopause. Two ticks for me there.

How was this showing up for me?

Loads more sugar cravings than previous. (which is a WHOLE lot of sugar cravings believe me)

Constantly hungry

Real deep sense of fatigue and really weak

Sick - I had LOADS of illness in the space of 9 months - I had covid twice and at least 3 other instances of “I think it’s covid”.

My skin was looking dull and lifeless.

There are other ways to that it may show up - moodiness (i wasnt owning up to this though), and lifeless hair .

Why is protein so important?

It contains the amino acids that build everything in our body.  When protein intake is too low the body has a tough ride just doing the bare essentials to keep you alive.  

How much protein do we need?

There is no RDA for protein as the amount you need really is dependent on what you are up to physically.  

The last year has seen me doing way more “exercise” rather than my running and yoga which had kept me happy for years.  Maybe my diet hadn’t caught up with the new me.  The strength work has my body building more muscle - that tissue has to come from somewhere.

The hunt began to supplement my intake….

I needed a way to get more protein in that was fast, easy and fitted easily into morning or evening schedules…. So I knew I want the convenience of a drink. I asked the internet (good old instagram stories are so good for gathering info!) what their favourite protein was as I was ready to gear things up and see if I could sort these issues out.  And off I went on my merry quest to find a protein that worked for me.

It all got a bit goldilocks and three bears for a couple of months…. Too sweet, too many artificial ingredients, too grainy, straight up not tasty, too like a Macdonalds milkshake, marketing that wasn’t speaking to me - all a bit “bro”.

There was no protein drink I actually enjoyed.

Then came Exalt….. GAMECHANGER.  Drinks I can read the label on and understand the ingredients list.  Really tasty options. Cool AF team behind it.  Recycling initiative for the packaging that it arrives to my door in. Genuinely the best I have come across on the 7 month hunt I was on. 

This one is a good un - limited edition though so be quick…..

Check out that ingredients list!

Want to try exalt for yourself?  Treat yourself to 20% off with the code PIP20 And you too can be on the way to your body feeling glorious. (affiliate link)

Frequently enjoyed as I dash to the studio to teach - the hours that come with sharing yoga really messes with meal times. Turns out to be the perfect thing to fill me up just enough so I can eat properly when I am done at work.

How am I now after a few months of making sure I get enough protein?  

I’ve not been sick for a good while now (keeping those fingers crossed), loving my skin lately - been make up free a whole lot,  feeling really strong (and looking it too), and my energy levels are way higher. 

Nourishing the body properly really is magic.