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:
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:
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:
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.
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Erin and Tiana are nutritionists who enjoy helping clients use food to fuel their body and feel their best! Categories
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