A higher protein intake at breakfast and lunch is associated with a higher total daily protein intake in older adults: a post‐hoc cross‐sectional analysis of four randomised controlled trials

Abstract

Background: A protein intake of 30-40 g per meal is suggested to maximally stimulate muscle protein synthesis in older adults and could therefore contribute to the prevention of sarcopenia. Protein intake at breakfast and lunch is often low and offers a great opportunity to improve daily protein intake. Protein, however, is known for its satiating effects. Therefore, we explored the association between the amount of protein intake at breakfast and lunch and total daily protein intake in older adults. Methods: Protein intake was assessed by a 3-day food record in 498 community dwelling older adults (≥55 years) participating different lifestyle interventions. Linear mixed model analysis was used to examine the association between protein intake at breakfast or lunch and total daily protein intake, adjusted for sex, age, body mass index, smoking status, study and total energy intake. Results: After adjustment for potential confounders, a 10 g higher protein intake at breakfast was associated with a 3.2 g higher total daily protein intake (P = 0.008) for males and a 4.9 g (P < 0.001) higher total daily protein intake for females. A 10 g higher protein intake at lunch was associated with a 3.7 g higher total daily protein intake (P < 0.001) for males, and a 5.8 g higher total daily protein intake (P < 0.001) for females. Conclusions: A higher protein intake at breakfast and lunch is associated with a higher total daily protein intake in community dwelling older adults. Stimulating a higher protein intake at breakfast and lunch might represent a promising nutritional strategy to optimise the amount of protein per meal without compromising total daily protein intake.

Usual Protein Intake Amount and Sources of Nursing Home Residents with (Risk of) Malnutrition and Effects of an Individualized Nutritional Intervention: An enable Study

“…It should be noted that offering supplementation at dinner could have additionally improved protein intake. However, offering an intervention at breakfast and lunch was supported by previous findings in community-dwelling older adults, where this was shown to improve daily protein intake [13,20,[47][48][49]. In our population as well as in other institutionalized [21,50], community-dwelling [19,20,51], and rehabilitating [52] older adults, lunch or dinner were the mealtimes with the highest and breakfast with the lowest protein intake.…”

The Covid‐19 pandemic and publishing in nutrition and dietetics

“…It is important to remember that just because we can measure something doesn't mean we should. In keeping with our aim to reflect the breadth and multidisciplinary nature of nutrition and dietetics research, JHND favours papers that advance the field, 15,16 establish novel methodologies and research tools, 17,18 have clinical impact, 19,20 and establish professional guidelines 21 …”

The Acute Effects of Breakfast Drinks with Varying Protein and Energy Contents on Appetite and Free-Living Energy Intake in UK Older Adults

“…However, energy intake was not measured beyond this buffet meal, precluding any assessment of compensatory changes in eating behavior later in the day, and of the effects of large breakfast protein intakes on whole-day protein and energy intake. Furthermore, in a cross-sectional study, Verreijen et al [ 28 ] reported that a higher self-reported protein consumption (≥30 g) at breakfast did not compromise protein intake at later eating occasions in community-dwelling older adults and was indeed associated with higher daily protein intake. However, protein intakes reported were modest, with only 1% of the 498 participants exceeding the recommended 0.4 g protein·kg body mass −1 per serving at breakfast.…”