Best Foods to Preserve Muscle Mass as You Age – Eating Well

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Dietitians Reveal 7 Muscle-Preserving Foods to Support Strength as You Age

Want to protect your strength as you age? Dietitians say these nutrient-packed foods can help.

By Victoria Whittington, RDN, Updated on January 16, 2026

Reviewed by Dietitian, Alyssa Pike, RDN

In This Article

• Tofu
• Cottage Cheese
• Eggs
• Yogurt
• Chicken
• Salmon
• Legumes
• Tips

• Maintaining muscle as we age helps keep us strong, mobile and independent.
• Dietitians recommend prioritizing protein-containing foods such as tofu, eggs, cottage cheese and salmon.
• Pair these foods with resistance training to help preserve muscle strength as you age.

Preserving muscle mass as we age is essential for staying strong, mobile and independent. Muscle naturally declines over time, which can affect balance, blood sugar control and even brain health.1,2 The good news: What you eat—and how you move—can help slow that loss and support healthier aging.

Protein-rich foods, along with other key nutrients, play an important role in maintaining lean muscle. We spoke with registered dietitians to bring you the best foods to preserve muscle as you age, plus other tips to keep you strong and healthy.

Tofu

Tofu is a complete plant-based protein—meaning it contains all of the essential amino acids your body cannot make on its own—that supports muscle as you age. Research suggests soy can support gains in lean mass and strength comparable to those of whey protein when total protein intake and training are matched.3

“One cup ( about 240 grams) of tofu offers about 20 grams of protein, making it an easy way to boost your daily intake,” says Amy Brownstein, M.S., RDN.4 When shopping for tofu, look for extra-firm, as it provides more protein than soft versions. Try it in stir-fries or grain bowls, or blend silken tofu into smoothies for a creamy, protein-rich snack.

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Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is an easy, protein-packed food that’s worth adding to your grocery list. “Because it’s easy to eat and requires little preparation, it can be especially helpful for meeting protein needs throughout the day,” says registered dietitian Juliana Crimi, RD, M.H.Sc.

One cup of low-fat cottage cheese provides about 24 grams of protein.5“It’s also a source of calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12, nutrients that support muscle function and overall musculoskeletal health in middle-aged and older adults,” Crimi adds.6,7

Try it sweet with berries and nuts, savory with olive oil and tomatoes or spread on whole-grain toast for a quick snack.

Eggs

“Eggs are a versatile and affordable protein option, and combining them with other foods makes it easier to meet your protein needs,” says Talia Follador, RDN, LDN. Each egg contains about 6 to 7 grams of protein along with leucine, an amino acid that helps stimulate muscle protein synthesis.8 Eggs also supply vitamin D and choline, nutrients that play a role in neuromuscular function.9,10

Ely IA, Phillips BE, Smith K, et al. A focus on leucine in the nutritional regulation of human skeletal muscle metabolism in ageing, exercise and unloading states. Clin Nutr. 2023;42(10):1849-1865. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2023.08.010

You can enjoy eggs as part of a meal or snack. Scramble them into breakfast tacos, add sliced hard-boiled eggs to salads or make an egg-and-vegetable frittata for a simple, protein-rich meal.

Continue/Read Original Article Here: Best Foods to Preserve Muscle Mass as You Age