Just the boost I needed

I come from a milk-drinking family. Matter of fact, when we were kids, a glass of fresh milk was part of our every meal. During those days, we could not be excused from the table if we did not finish the glass of milk prepared for us.

Fast forward: On my last birthday, I reached my mid 50s. My mom no longer reminds me about finishing the food on my plate — or dinking my milk. Well, finishing the food on my plate is a habit for me — drinking milk, not all the time.

We all need a Boost

This year, I wanted to get back into powerlifting. I used to join competitions regularly in the early 2000s.  Matter of fact, I had joined all the competitions held locally and was even part of the Philippine team that competed in the Asia Bench Open in 2002.

After a 14-year or so absence from the sport, I decided to get back into it. So, last April, I joined a Philippine National Powerlifting competition — this time as a senior. This means I competed in the age class 50 to 59. 

As a comeback powerlifter, I did well for my age, topping the age and weight class.

Although I had left competitive powerlifting for many years, fitness has always been a way of life for me — working out at the gym four times a week and doing other cardio activities like biking, running or brisk walking on days when I am not at the gym.

If there is one thing I have learned through my aging years, it’s this: Exercise is but one part of staying fit; keeping a good and healthy mind and body is equally important. This means drinking milk, that helps stave off stuff like osteoporosis, is oh so important.

So, when I recently attended the launch of Nestle Boost, it got me thinking how fit and healthy I really am.

And as one of the 50-and-above folks, I should have started slowing down with age — not! I have even started to challenge myself more now, not because I want to keep up with the younger ones (because truly we can’t, even if we try) but because I want to live a life that makes me feel good about myself.

So, as I sat and listened to the speakers at the press event, I learned that Boost is a nutritional powder supplement drink from Nestle Health Science, which was specially formulated for adults 50 and up to address their nutritional needs as they age in order to get the most out of life — to live up and be their best.

“We believe we have the responsibility to provide nutritional therapies that change the way we approach health, and ultimately help create a better quality of life for our consumers,” said Paul Bruhn, regional head of Nestle Health Science AOA. “We recognize the increase in aging consumers who now live longer, and we aim to empower them to take action to manage the age-related changes they experience and help them stay healthy.”

Research shows that special nutrition may help to manage the normal changes our bodies go through during life. It is important to consider that nutritional needs tend to evolve with time and gradual changes in lifestyle, dietary habits, and metabolism often develop. That is why Nestle Health Science developed the Boost range. It takes into consideration what nutrition may be lacking in the diets of adults 50 and up, and these oral nutritional supplements can positively impact their nutritional intake to help them stay healthy and active.

If they can do it

Boost recently brought together a few of the country’s personalities and their children to show us how baby boomers and millennials are more alike than we think.

“I realized that age is never an excuse to stop yourself from trying new things,” said 70 plus-year-old Ramon Jacinto. “I see it in my kids and if I want to be youthful like them, all I need to do is believe that I can still do as much as they can!”

Ramon’s son, RJ Jacinto, agreed, “I notice that Dad has been more daring. Ayaw magpatalo sa millennial!”

 “It’s refreshing hitting new milestones at this age. And I think I can go on doing just that till I hit 70!” quipped STAR columnist Quinito Henson.

Asked about a surprising “first” she saw her mother accomplish, Coco Quizon, daughter of Zsa Zsa Padilla, said, “I remember when my mom and I tried to learn how to drive together a few years ago. We pretty much quit soon after because we were hitting every curb!”

“I was usually so scared of driving; there are so many different things to worry about,” confessed Zsa Zsa, who recently got a driver’s license for the first time, and added, ”But then one day, I surprised Coco by picking her up for dinner.”

Taste matters

But does Boost taste good?

Well, during the lunch event, we were served cold glasses of Boost Optimum, which I liked because it reminded me of my growing-up days. I also gobbled up the panna cotta dessert as it was made with Boost.

“It isn’t just milk,” said Patricia Turcuato, consumer marketing manager, Nestle Health Science. “Boost Optimum is a good meal replacement because of its whey protein content.”

That got me thinking about the many protein shake possibilities that I could come up with Boost. Since I am vegetarian, whey protein shakes are a regular part of my diet. The shakes also help me keep my weight in tow. 

It is recommended to drink Boost once or twice a day, as part of a balanced diet.

“It has been proven that we should eat five small meals a day and not let ourselves go hungry because then, the body will start to store fat to have some energy on reserve,” disclosed body builder Ruby Gan. “Eating one big meal for lunch or dinner is not wise because we pack all the calories in one go. Hence, Boost is perfect for my in-between meals. I can put it in my shaker and just add water.”

Trust Nestle Health Science not only to understand the importance of healthy aging, but also to make sure that the products to keep me aging gracefully taste as good as they make me feel.

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For information, visit Boost’s Facebook Page @NestleBoostPH.

Boost is available at Mercury Drug and comes in three variants: Optimum 800g, P1,560 and 400g, P797; Energis 480g, P595; and Mobilis 405g, P595. For products delivered right at your doorstep, email nestlehomecare@rbc-m.