If you eat a balanced diet, you probably don't need to, but you may just like them. And you most likely wouldn't need one along with a meal. The body can only digest a small portion of protein each sitting (which is why many bodybuilders have up to 5 or 6 meals a day). The rest just gets passed through our kidneys and into the toilet, and in fact too much protein can put a strain on the kidneys. If you are a little older and concerned, it may also be helpful to eat more fruits and veggies which help us maintain a good ph balance, one of the keys to retaining muscle mass in our 40's, 50's and beyond.