Becoming Protein-Strong

Erin's Personal Experience of Becoming Protein-Strong:

How Reintroducing Meat Transformed My Health

Erin at the Western States 100 Mile Run Finish-Line

For years, I proudly lived on a vegetarian (and later vegan) diet. It wasn’t just how I ate, it was part of my identity. I did not like the taste of meat, and honestly can't recall when I ever did, even as a young child. Letting go of that was hard. But as my energy dwindled, my digestion weakened, my strength declined, and injuries cropped up regularly, I had to face the truth: my body was missing something vital. Plus, I started to hear a voice inside, urging me to try animal products, and it kept getting louder.

I was 41 when I started fully eating meat again. That shift felt deeply connected to my hormone health. I was entering perimenopause, and I could feel that my body needed a different level of support. As estrogen, progesterone, and other key hormones began to fluctuate, I realized that the nutritional needs of my body were no longer the same as they were in my twenties or thirties. I needed to be rebuilding, not just maintaining (or possibly sinking!).

Protein—especially high-quality, complete protein—became essential not just for muscle and energy, but for the entire hormonal transition I was going through. As women age, our ability to maintain muscle mass, regulate blood sugar, and recover from stress becomes more dependent on adequate protein intake. It’s also critical for supporting the liver in hormone detoxification and for producing the very hormones that start to shift during midlife.

Through my Nutritional Therapy and Restorative Wellness education, I learned that no matter how nutrient-dense my diet was, my body couldn’t fully absorb those nutrients without robust stomach acid (HCL) production. Years without meat had weakened my digestive capacity, leaving me unable to efficiently break down protein. It also protects us from many pathogens—eek, I was 100% at risk!

Why We Need Amino Acids (and Why Animal Protein Matters)

Proteins are made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks of every cell, hormone, and tissue in the body. While plants provide some amino acids, only animal protein offers all nine essential amino acids in the optimal ratios.

These are critical for:

1. Muscle repair and strength: Essential for tissue maintenance and physical performance, especially important as we age and naturally lose muscle mass.
2. Neurotransmitter production: Amino acids like tryptophan and tyrosine are precursors to serotonin and dopamine, impacting mood, sleep, and mental clarity—things that often shift in perimenopause.
3. Immune function: Amino acids support the production of immune cells and antibodies.
4. Collagen synthesis: Found in animal connective tissue, it supports skin, joint, and gut health, all of which may become more vulnerable during midlife.
5. Hormone production and balance: Our hormones—especially peptide and steroid hormones—require amino acids as their foundation. Without sufficient intake and proper digestion of protein, the endocrine system can become imbalanced, contributing to fatigue, mood swings, irregular cycles, brain fog, and more.

For women in perimenopause and beyond, protein becomes even more crucial. We need it to stabilize blood sugar, support lean muscle, and anchor the ever-changing hormonal tides of midlife. Unfortunately, many women unknowingly eat less protein as they age, just when they need it most.

When I reintroduced meat and fish, I immediately felt stronger, more energized, and mentally sharper. It was as if my body had been waiting for this missing puzzle piece for far too long.

The Link Between Meat and Stomach Acid

HCL is vital for breaking down dense animal proteins into amino acids to absorb these critical nutrients effectively.
Without it:

1. Proteins ferment in the gut, causing bloating and discomfort.
2. Nutrient absorption declines, especially for iron, B12, and zinc.
3. The gut environment becomes vulnerable to pathogens, imbalances, and dysbiosis.

When you stop eating meat, your stomach acid production naturally decreases. The longer you avoid it, the harder it becomes for your body to efficiently digest it again—a classic case of "if you don’t use it, you lose it."
And as we age, our natural stomach acid levels decline regardless of diet, making it all the more important to support digestion intentionally, especially if you're eating more protein to support your changing hormonal landscape.

How to Upregulate Stomach Acid and Rebuild Digestive Capacity

After years without animal protein (almost 20 to be exact!), my HCL production was weak, to put it lightly. To restore it, I took and continue to take intentional steps to stimulate my digestive fire:

1. Betaine HCL with pepsin: A targeted supplement that directly boosts stomach acid. I started with one capsule alongside protein meals and gradually increased it until I felt a warming sensation—a sign that my HCL levels were building. This is recommended to be done with the guidance of a practitioner.
   
2. Apple cider vinegar (ACV): Taking a tablespoon diluted in water before meals helped prime my stomach for digestion. I also incorporate ACV in my homemade salad dressings and recipes.
   
3. Digestive bitters: These herbal extracts (like gentian root and dandelion) stimulated my natural gastric juices. I add bitter greens to meals whenever possible.
   
4. Mineral-rich salt: Using pink Himalayan or Celtic salt provides chloride, a raw material for HCL production.
   
5. Zinc: I incorporated a zinc taste test to see if I could be deficient in this crucial component to building my HCL—and I was. So I added zinc and tested myself regularly to track improvement.
   
6. Mindful eating practices: I slowed down, chewed thoroughly, and avoided drinking large amounts of water during meals to prevent HCL dilution. This was the HARDEST! I’ve always been a speedy eater.
   
   

Stronger, Healthier, and More Resilient

Today, my diet is balanced, rich in both plants and high-quality animal protein. I love vegetables, but reintroducing meat has made me feel stronger, more resilient, and more vibrant than ever. As a woman in midlife, I now see how essential it is to adapt our nutrition to the needs of our changing bodies.

This journey taught me that optimal digestion is the key to nutrient absorption, hormone balance, and long-term vitality. If you're in perimenopause or beyond and feeling tired, depleted, or like your body isn’t "bouncing back" the way it used to, consider whether your protein intake and digestion are truly supporting your hormones and your future.
You are not failing - your body might just need a little more of what it's been missing.