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The Benefits of Ensure Gold Plant Based Protein

Eating more plant-based foods and less meat for protein can be quite beneficial for seniors. On this type of diet, a senior will have less opportunities to eat foods ladened with bad fats and additives because the diet will mostly consist of beans, whole grains, nuts, quinoa, and dark vegetables. Plant based protein can also come from enriched nutritional supplements, such as Ensure Gold Plant Based Protein, that also offer many other benefits. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of this type of diet for bone health, strength, and meeting daily vitamin needs.1, 8

Vegan vs. Vegetarian

A Vegetarian mainly eats a plant-based diet with no meat, but may or may not consume milk. Some vegetarians do eat eggs as eggs are technically not meat. A vegan is much stricter by excluding all forms of animal products, including milk. Veganism will require a lot of planning because high quality B vitamins (for supporting red blood cell production, supporting nervous system for cognition, and energy levels), especially vitamin B12, is only found in animal sources. For this, plant-based diet seniors may have to consume fortified foods or nutritional supplements.1, 3, 4

Letting Your Appetite Decide

Although a plant-based diet can reduce the risk of heart and cholesterol problems, each individual starting health condition determines the compatibility of this diet. It is best to consult a Medical Professional and start with a 50/50 transition. Jumping into it right away is never a good idea as you will most likely stop when it gets too hard to put up with food type and taste changes.2

Every bite has to count so that you are not missing essential nutrients like protein (e.g. quinoa, rice) for muscle strength, iron (e.g. tofu, legumes) for wound healing & immune system support, vitamin D (e.g. mushrooms, fortified foods) for calcium (e.g. soy milk, almond milk) absorption to support bone quality, and especially B vitamins (e.g. fortified foods, nutritional supplements) for red blood cell health.4, 5

Best Plant Based Protein Sources

Quinoa: Is a complete protein type (contains all essential amino acids) grain with a high-protein content. Cooked quinoa provides about 8g of protein per cup, while also being rich in iron and fiber to keep you more satiated.6

Brown rice or Wild Rice: When consumed together with other protein sources like beans and vegetables, it becomes an adequate meal. A type of complex carbohydrate (slowly digestible), brown rice has about 4g of protein per 100g serving, while also being rich in fiber.5, 6

Soy Available as tofu, tempeh, or young soy edamame formats, a senior has many options to choose from for protein. At 8g to 15g per ½ cup serving, depending on the processed method, soy-based products provide the richest amount of plant-based protein. When a dish is seasoned well, tofu is the best substitute for meat that is also rich in calcium.5, 6

Nutritional Supplements: The key is to get plenty of protein, calcium, iron, vitamin D, and B vitamins for a plant-based diet to work. An important nutrient responsible for muscle preservation is HMB (Hydroxymethylbutyrate, a leucine metabolite)7, but it is almost impossible to get the daily required amount from food on a plant-based diet. It is quite humanly impossible for a senior to consume 6,500 servings of cauliflower for just 1.5g of HMB.8 For this very fact, all new plant based Ensure first plant-based complete nutrition, Ensure Gold Plant-Based Protein can help. Scientifically formulated soy, brown rice, and quinoa sourced plant-based protein, HMB, and 28 nutrients (12 of which help maintain the immune system^) it can help support your strength, vitality, and activity.

Ensure Gold Plant Based offers nutritional benefits when food alone with a plant-based diet is not quite enough yet. With 2 servings a day (6 scoops and 187 ml of water; per serving), it can be a whole or partial meal replacement to help you ease into a plant-based protein diet. It all requires a bit of planning to make sure that you are getting all the essential nutrients. As always, consult a Medical Professional before making any diet changes to ensure safety.

If you would like to try Ensure Gold Plant Based before committing to a full course, go to Ensure Myanmar to sign up for a trial.8

References:

  1. https://us.sodexo.com/inspired-thinking/all-insights/plant-based-diets-older-adults.html
  2. https://www.nutraingredients-asia.com/News/Promotional-Features/Can-plant-based-foods-help-seniors-get-the-protein-they-need-in-their-diets
  3. https://www.fivestarseniorliving.com/blog/are-plant-based-diets-safe-for-seniors-and-why
  4. https://theconversation.com/vegetarian-and-vegan-diet-five-things-for-over-65s-to-consider-when-switching-to-a-plant-based-diet-144088
  5. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321474#15-best-vegan-proteins
  6. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/best-sources-protein-vegans
  7. https://www.nutritionnews.abbott/healthy-living/aging-well/why-hmb-is-important-for-aging-muscles/
  8. https://abbottnutrition.com.my/products/ensure-gold

^    Ensure Gold contains protein, Vitamin A, B6, B12, C, D, E, Folate and selenium, copper, zinc and iron, that help support the normal function of the immune system.