Meeting Your RDA Every Day
That's where Ensure Max nutrition shakes with 30 grams of protein can be the difference in not only closing but surpassing that RDA gap, especially when considering how lifestyles change as we get older and potentially become more isolated.

"People maybe aren't as active as they used to be, so they maybe put a little less emphasis on the protein-containing foods. Taste buds change, social circumstances change, people are eating more meals alone or not with friends or aren't getting a more complete meal," Hertzler said. "As your health status declines, you're less likely to cook good meals for yourself. And so a lot of the things that are fast and easy to eat don't tend to be good sources of protein."

That's all before adding the effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

"COVID is exacerbating that social isolation and affecting access to food for a lot of different populations," Bede said. "I do have concerns, especially for our elderly neighbors, where we know that malnutrition can be common. Fatigue ranging from procuring to prepping food or lack of appetite or limited access has a real impact on nutritional intake and outcomes."

Whatever the challenges a person faces meeting their protein and nutrient needs, adding Ensure Max Protein and its 30 gram of protein, 25 essential vitamins and minerals — including vitamin A, antioxidant vitamins C and E, zinc and vitamin D, all of which play an important role in supporting immune health — can help when food alone is not enough.

"Those nutrients are often in short supply in the U.S. diet," Hertzler said.

So let's review: You'd likely benefit from more protein in your diet. You need to start thinking about your protein intake earlier than you might think. And Ensure can help. While you can’t go back in time, you can start addressing protein needs now, with Ensure.