You’re eating more protein than ever and you’re softer than you were at 40. I’m 50, and I’ve spent 20+ years specializing in women’s hormones. You were told to eat more protein. Nobody told you what has to work first. 1. Where it’s coming from. Bars, shakes, anything with protein on the front. You hit the number and you ate a food product, and it’s the pattern I see most. 2. How much landed at once. Load most of it into one sitting and you’ll feel it all afternoon, heavy and not wanting the next meal. 3. Whether any of it is moving. Bloated, not digesting well, bowel movements nowhere near daily. Oestrogen and progesterone changes slow motility down. All the protein in the world won’t help if it’s sitting there. 4. Whether you can break it down. Bloating after meals, heartburn, waking up nauseous. That’s usually low stomach acid and not enough enzymes. The food sits too long, it ferments, and that pressure is what you feel coming back up. 5. Whether anything is telling your body ...