Media Coverage: Dr Asiya Maula Shares the Simple Nutrition Habit That Supports Healthy Ageing After 40

Dr Asiya Maula, Private GP at The Health Suite, has been featured in a national health article discussing one of the simplest ways adults over 40 can improve their nutrition and support healthy ageing. Rather than promoting restrictive diets or complicated calorie counting, Dr Maula encourages people to ask themselves one straightforward question before every meal:

“Before every meal, I encourage people to ask themselves one simple question: ‘Where’s my protein?’. If you can’t answer it straight away, your meal probably needs a rethink. It’s an easy habit that takes seconds but can completely change the nutritional quality of your diet.”

Dr Maula explains that maintaining muscle becomes increasingly important with age, as the body’s ability to use dietary protein gradually declines.

“As we get older, our muscles become a little less responsive to the protein we eat, and being less active makes that worse. Spreading protein across the day rather than eating most of it in one meal helps your muscles make better use of it.”

She recommends aiming for approximately 1–1.2g of protein per kilogram of body weight per day for most healthy adults over 40, while emphasising that individual needs vary.

Importantly, Dr Maula highlights that muscle health is about far more than appearance or strength in the gym.

“Muscle isn’t just important for lifting weights. It plays a vital role in balance, mobility, blood sugar regulation and keeping us independent as we get older. Protein on its own won’t do it though. You also need to use your muscles, so some form of resistance exercise two or three times a week is just as important.”

She also reassures people that meeting protein requirements doesn’t require expensive supplements or fad diets.

“The aim isn’t to follow a high-protein fad diet or buy expensive supplements. Most people can meet their needs through everyday foods.”

Dr Maula recommends including familiar protein-rich foods such as eggs, Greek yoghurt, fish, poultry, beans, lentils, tofu and cottage cheese as part of balanced meals.

Summing up her practical approach, she concludes:

“Tiny habits are often the ones that stick. If you simply make it second nature to ask ‘Where’s my protein?’ before every meal, you’ll naturally start building more balanced meals that support healthy ageing, without having to count calories or follow complicated diet rules.”

Through her expert commentary, Dr Maula continues to promote evidence-based, practical lifestyle advice that helps people build sustainable habits to support muscle health, mobility and healthy ageing.

Click here to read the complete article “Over 40? Ask This One Question Before Every Meal” in Sustain Health Magazine.