Getting enough protein-and getting it from quality sources-is important at every stage of life. In the Philippines, however, nutritional gaps remain a concern, particularly among young children and older adults.
While child stunting continues to decline, progress remains slower than national targets. Among older Filipinos, inadequate protein intake may contribute to frailty and sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and function.
These concerns were among the issues discussed at a recent trade seminar organized by the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), ‘From Supply to Innovation: Empowering Nutrition with U.S. Dairy Ingredients.’ The event brought together food manufacturers, nutrition experts, and industry leaders to explore ways of improving nutrition through food innovation.
Addressing protein gaps
When overall protein intake is limited, the quality of the protein consumed becomes particularly important. High-quality proteins, including dairy proteins and eggs, provide all nine essential amino acids needed by the body for growth, repair, and maintenance.
For older Filipinos, protein inadequacy is a significant concern. Data from the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) in 2023 showed that 72.4 percent of adults aged 60 and above did not meet their Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for protein. Among those aged 70 and older, the figure rose to 80.4 percent. Their mean intake was about 40 grams per day, compared with an EAR of 53 grams.
Dietary patterns also highlight the importance of food variety. Well-milled rice remains the largest contributor to protein intake across demographic groups, accounting for about 31.8 to 37.4 percent of total protein consumption.
Rice remains an important staple and source of energy and nutrients. However, rice protein alone does not provide the same balance of essential amino acids as some higher-quality protein sources. Combining rice with other protein-rich foods can therefore improve the overall nutritional quality of the diet.
‘Rice remains a staple of the Filipino diet and an important source of protein. However, rice protein alone may not provide all the essential amino acids needed to meet nutritional requirements,’ said Dr. Cecilia Acuin, Associate Professor at the Institute of Human Nutrition and Food, Philippines.
‘Complementing rice with other high-quality protein sources like dairy can help improve the overall quality of the diet,’ she added. ‘By combining affordability with high-quality protein and essential nutrients, the food industry can play an important role in improving nutrition for Filipino consumers.’
For older adults, ensuring adequate protein intake is particularly important because insufficient intake can make it harder to maintain muscle mass and physical function. Sarcopenia is associated with greater risks of disability, mobility limitations, hospitalization, and loss of independence.
Getting more nutrition from every peso
Beyond protein adequacy, experts at the seminar also emphasized the importance of making nutritious choices accessible and affordable.
‘There is a common perception that nutritious foods are expensive,’ said Dr. Sylvia Chungchunlam of the Riddet Institute, New Zealand. ‘Rather than solely focusing on price, it’s important to view foods through a nutritional lens. Good choices like dairy deliver high nutritional value for the amount spent.’
Milk and dairy ingredients such as skim milk powder, whey, and milk proteins provide high-quality protein containing all nine essential amino acids. Milk also supplies a range of vitamins and minerals, including calcium.
For consumers, however, nutrition is only one consideration. Food also needs to be affordable, convenient, tasty, and readily available.
USDEC’s Consumption Tracker found that 75 percent of Filipino respondents considered good value for money the most important factor influencing food and beverage purchases, while 58 percent looked for high-quality nutritional ingredients.
The findings reflect a broader balancing act among consumers who want healthier choices without stretching their food budgets.
‘Value today is no longer defined by price alone,’ said Anoo Pothen, Vice President, Strategic Insights, U.S. Dairy Export Council. ‘Consumers define value for money as nutritious products that are also affordable, convenient and tasty.’
A role for food innovation
The challenge, experts noted, is to translate these nutritional priorities into foods that consumers can realistically incorporate into their everyday diets.
Dairy ingredients can give food manufacturers flexibility to develop products with additional protein and other nutrients across categories, including beverages, yogurt, bakery products, snacks, and ready-to-eat foods.
‘The Philippines remains one of USDEC’s most important markets globally and the largest destination for U.S. dairy exports within Southeast Asia,’ said Dali Ghazalay, Regional Director, U.S. Dairy Export Council, Southeast Asia.
As Filipinos navigate nutritional needs at different stages of life, improving access to quality protein does not necessarily require abandoning familiar foods. Instead, experts point to the value of complementing staples such as rice with diverse, nutrient-rich protein sources.
For food manufacturers, this presents an opportunity to develop products that combine nutrition with the affordability, taste, convenience, and accessibility that consumers increasingly expect.
Ultimately, improving nutrition across the life cycle may begin with a simple principle: what people eat matters not only in quantity, but also in quality.