Apart from getting your little one to eat nutritional food, finding healthy and appealing beverages can be quite challenging. Kids usually like sugary drinks, however, it’s important to guide them toward a more balanced option from a young age to improve their overall health. And the best solution – protein shakes. They’re packed with nutrients, quick to make, and portable so your kid can drink on the go.

Below we’ll talk more about protein drinks and why they are beneficial for your little one.

Why are protein shakes good for your child?

Protein is an essential macronutrient for everyone. It helps our body build, maintain, and repair cells, and it’s important for the immune system. Some of the best sources of protein include fish, meat, eggs, tofu, nuts, cheese, and others. The requirements for protein intake can vary depending on age and gender. For example, kids usually need about half a gram of protein for every pound they weigh.

Giving kids protein drinks is a great supplement providing an easy way to get the nutrients they may be missing out on from food. Note that these are not used to replace their meals but are given between meals as healthy snacks. For example, you can add the protein shake after breakfast as a healthy snack on the go, and consider using kids’ protein drinks that have minimum levels of sugar and are packed with healthy fats and many essential nutrients kids need.  

You can serve these shakes as a creamy drink, and you can also add them to smoothies, oatmeal, and other popular recipes your child likes. You can choose to use it regularly or occasionally as part of your child’s nutritional diet, and some of these types of products are great for kids with allergies and lactose intolerance since they are free from soy protein, whey protein, and dairy.

Are protein drinks safe for children?

It’s normal for parents to be a bit skeptical when it comes to using non-traditional approaches for boosting their kid’s health. The same goes for protein drinks. They might be wondering whether they’re good for their little ones, and they usually decide to make their own since they have more control over the included ingredients.

The problem arises since many of the pre-made protein drinks have too much sugar. Also, they tend to be full of artificial sweeteners, color, and flavor, and are rarely organic. If you don’t feel confident in making your protein shake and consider using a pre-made one, then try to look for ones that have no sugar, and include only healthy ingredients. Kids that need protein shakes are those that don’t have balanced and regular meals, so a supplement like this is necessary.

Adding extra protein powder for children who don’t need them can be even harmful to them, causing extra weight gain and other health issues. Always remember to consult with your pediatrician about your child’s diet, so you can provide them with healthy food instead of unhealthy supplements. There are quite a few myths about protein shakes, so you might want to read up on that, too.

Why are protein drinks great for in-between meals?

The best part about using kids’ protein shakes is that you’ll have a great snack for them between meals, without having to struggle, especially with picky eaters. It’s common for kids to have specific preferences about food and snacks, so even if you decide on healthy ones like fruits and veggies they might not like them.

With protein shakes it’s easy, you can mix them with their favorite food or drink and you’ll get the perfect snack for the day. There are plenty of interesting recipes you might want to consider, and you can always add some extra veggies or fruits that will be unnoticed once mixed with the shake and other ingredients.

From chocolate peanut butter with soy milk to almond butter with a banana protein shake, the choices are plenty, and kids love creamy and sweet things. But, instead of providing unhealthy sweets, this would be a way better choice. If you’re worried that your child isn’t getting enough protein then these shakes are a great way to pack in some along with healthy vitamins and minerals.

In closing

You can offer a wide variety of healthy drinks to your child, but if they have a low protein intake, then using protein drinks is the best option. Use them as healthy snacks and bring them everywhere you go. They’re much easier to prepare and pack for when you go out with your kids than making a whole meal. Just remember, consult with your pediatrician about any changes in your kid’s health before and after using protein shakes.