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By Sarah Hunt, AZFB Communications Intern

As we all know, protein is an essential part of a healthy diet. It keeps us full for longer, recovers our muscles after exercising, and gives us nutrients and energy we can’t get from any other source. If it is this important to our bodies now, think of what the benefits would be for your body as you age.

This article quotes Brigitte Zeitlin, RD, saying, “As we age our muscles gradually get weaker and our bones become frail leading to muscle wasting, fractures, drastically decreasing your quality of life,” says Zeitlin. “Maintaining a good amount of protein in your diets much earlier on, starting in your 20s, helps to prevent all that weakening and decompensating from happening.”

“The older we get, the more ‘repair’ we need, and protein is our body’s main tool in performing repairs—that is true for inside and outside,” says Zeitlin. “Even our hair, skin, and nails need more of an assist through the years. [Women, especially] experience a lot of shifts in our hormones through our lives and protein remains an essential part of keeping them in balance and healthy.”

Andrea Mathis, RDN, also supports this concept. “As we age, the recommended protein intake increases to help prevent our muscles from deteriorating and to help our bodies recover from injuries properly,” she says.

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Here’s a list of where you can get farm fresh meats, eggs, and plant-based proteins in Arizona!

1. Beef
2. Chicken
3. Eggs
4. Pistachios
5. Pecans
6. Sausage
7. Pork

Don’t forget to use Fill Your Plate’s recipe database to find the perfect meal to put your proteins in!