Proposed strategies for preventing protein deficiencies in elderly patients include increasing protein intake at breakfast. However, protein is highly satiating and the effect of elevating protein content at breakfast on appetite and free-living EI in older adults is unclear. This pilot study compared the acute effects of two breakfast drinks varying in protein and energy content on appetite and free-living EI in healthy older adults. Participants (n = 48 (20 men, 28 women); age: 69±3years; BMI: 22.2±2.0kg.m-2; FFM: 45.5±8.0kg) consumed two breakfast drinks (high-protein (30.4±5.3g), low-energy (211.2±37.1kcal) content (HPLE) and very high-protein (61.8±9.9g), fed to energy requirements (428.0±68.9kcal) (VHPER)) one week apart. Appetite perceptions were assessed for 3-h post-drink and free-living EI was measured for the remainder of the day. Appetite was lower in VHPER than HPLE from 30 min onwards (p < 0.01). Habitual energy and protein intake did not differ between conditions (p = 0.814). However, cumulative EI (drink + habitual EI) was greater in VHPER than HPLE (1937±568kcal vs. 1705±490kcal; p = 0.001), as was protein intake (123.0±26.0g vs. 88.6±20.9g; p < 0.001). Cumulative EI was greater for men than women (2170±383 vs. 1571±383; p < 0.001), and men also consumed more protein than women over the 24-h period (119.7±17.7g vs. 95.8±17.7g; p < 0.001). Consuming a very-high protein breakfast drink acutely suppressed appetite more than a low-energy, high-protein drink in older adults, though EI was unaffected. The long-term effects of adopting such a breakfast strategy in older adults at high risk of energy and protein malnutrition warrants exploration. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrial.gov (NCT01597024).