nutrients Article Digitally Supported Dietary Protein Counseling Changes Dietary Protein Intake, Sources, and Distribution in Community-Dwelling Older Adults Jantine van den Helder 1, * , Sjors Verlaan 2,3 , Michael Tieland 1 , Jorinde Scholten 1 , Sumit Mehra 1,4 , Bart Visser 1 , Ben J. A. Kröse 1,5 , Raoul H. H. Engelbert 1,6 and Peter J. M. Weijs 1,7, *   Citation: van den Helder, J.; Verlaan, S.; Tieland, M.; Scholten, J.; Mehra, S.; Visser, B.; Kröse, B.J.A.; Engelbert, R.H.H.; Weijs, P.J.M. Digitally Supported Dietary Protein Counseling Changes Dietary Protein Intake, Sources, and Distribution in Community-Dwelling Older Adults. Nutrients 2021, 13, 502. https:// doi.org/10.3390/nu13020502 Academic Editor: Stéphane Walrand Received: 17 December 2020 Accepted: 29 January 2021 Published: 3 February 2021 Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affil- iations. Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). 1 Center of Expertise Urban Vitality, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, 1067 SM Amsterdam, The Netherlands; m.tieland@hva.nl (M.T.); jorindescholten@gmail.com (J.S.); s.mehra@hva.nl (S.M.); b.visser2@hva.nl (B.V.); b.j.a.krose@hva.nl (B.J.A.K.); r.h.h.engelbert@hva.nl (R.H.H.E.) 2 FrieslandCampina, 3818 LE Amersfoort, The Netherlands; sjors.verlaan@frieslandcampina.com or g.verlaan@amsterdamumc.nl 3 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands 4 CREATE-IT Applied Research, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, 1091 GC Amsterdam, The Netherlands 5 Informatics Institute, University of Amsterdam, 1090 GH Amsterdam, The Netherlands 6 Department of Rehabilitation, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands 7 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, VU University, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands * Correspondence: j.e.m.van.den.helder@hva.nl (J.v.d.H.); p.j.m.weijs@hva.nl(P.J.M.W.); Tel.: +31-(62)-1155919 (J.v.d.H.) Abstract: Digitally supported dietary counselling may be helpful in increasing the protein intake in combined exercise and nutritional interventions in community-dwelling older adults. To study the effect of this approach, 212 older adults (72.2 ± 6.3 years) were randomised in three groups: control, exercise, or exercise plus dietary counselling. The dietary counselling during the 6-month intervention was a blended approach of face-to-face contacts and videoconferencing, and it was discontinued for a 6-month follow-up. Dietary protein intake, sources, product groups, resulting amino acid intake, and intake per eating occasion were assessed by a 3-day dietary record. The dietary counselling group was able to increase the protein intake by 32% at 6 months, and the intake remained 16% increased at 12 months. Protein intake mainly consisted of animal protein sources: dairy products, followed by fish and meat. This resulted in significantly more intake of essential amino acids, including leucine. The protein intake was distributed evenly over the day, resulting in more meals that reached the protein and leucine targets. Digitally supported dietary counselling was effective in increasing protein intake both per meal and per day in a lifestyle intervention in community-dwelling older adults. This was predominantly achieved by consuming more animal protein sources, particularly dairy products, and especially during breakfast and lunch. Keywords: ageing; counselling; e-health; nutrition; protein; sarcopenia 1. Introduction As the population is ageing worldwide, the preservation of mobility, vitality, and independent living are of utmost importance for older adults. Effective exercise and nutritional interventions are recommended to support healthy and active ageing [1]. The combination of exercise training with optimal dietary protein intake has been intensively studied in randomised controlled trials [2]. These trials in older adults showed that exercise and dietary protein stimulated muscle mass gains and the effects on physical function are promising [3,4]. Although these studies show relevant benefits of protein supplementation, Nutrients 2021, 13, 502. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13020502 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients