Your Childs Protein Needs
A childs protein needs increase as they grow, and these needs are the same for boys and girls from ages 2 to 8, according to the USDA.
See a breakdown of their daily needs below:
- Ages 2 to 3: 2 ounces
- Ages 4 to 8: 4 ounces
- Girls ages 9 to 18: 5 ounces
- Boys ages 9 to 13: 5 ounces
- Boys ages 14 to 18: 6.5 ounces
For children ages 1 to 3, protein can make up 5 to 20 percent of total calories, and for children 4 to 18 years old, protein can account for 10 to 30 percent of total calories.
Still, there are many reasons why your child may need more protein than normal, including:
- Growth disorders and nutritional deficiencies that could affect height and other areas of development. Learn about this in our blog post: Types of Growth Disorders in Children
- High-activity levels, like moving up to a higher-level sports team or increased activity during times like the summer, when kids are outside playing all day.
- Food intolerances or preference that keep your child from eating important protein sources, like dairy, seeds or meats. For example, children who eat all vegetarian or vegan may need to consider supplementing their protein.
Plant Protein Nutritional Shake For Kids
Introducing a clean, Whole Plant-Based Complete Nutrition Drink for kiddos that tastes like a treat! Packed with: protein, healthy carbs, healthy fats, and over 20 essential nutrients kids need. Its clean fuel for growth. WITH 50% LESS SUGAR than leading brands! A healthier and more natural alternative to support growth & development. Ideal for active kids, picky eaters, and to ensure your kiddos get the nutrition they need.
We developed a clean, healthy product with minimum level of sugars. However, if your kid prefers a sweeter taste, you may add fruit, honey, maple syrup, sugar, or anything else they like.
Use Else Plant Powered Complete Nutrition Shake as a light meal replacement or in between meals to fill in any nutritional gaps in your kid’s diet. Serve it daily as a creamy drink, toss it in a smoothie, oatmeal, or add to their favorite recipe. Else Nutrition for kids can be used daily or occasionally as part of a nutrition plan. It is not to be used as the sole source of nutrition. It’s free from whey protein, soy protein and dairy, and contains 50% less sugar than other kids nutritional shakes!
Chocolate flavor
Vanilla flavor
Packed with the protein, carbs, healthy fats and over 20 essential nutrients kids need, Else offers good, clean fuel for growing.
No Dairy
How Many Calories Fat And Protein Does This Smoothie Pack
With the main ingredients of full fat coconut milk, banana, and avocado, you can expect your smoothie to have around 500 calories, 37 grams of fat, and 4 grams of protein.
Of course, adding in chia seeds or nut butter will increase these numbers:
1 tbsp of chia seeds has about: 60 calories, 3 grams of fat, and 3 grams of protein
1 tbsp of peanut butter has about: 100 calories, 8 grams of fat, and 3 grams of protein
This smoothie packs a big nutritional and calorie punch without any fake ingredients, preservatives, or added sugar!
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Metagenics Metakids Nutrition Powder
MetaKids Nutrition Powder supplies significant base nutrition for kids 4-12 years of age. This detailed formula includes breakthrough prebiotic human milk oligosaccharides structurally much like this present in mothers milkcombined with a mix of vital nutrients like choline, plant sourced DHA, plus a proprietary vitamin and mineral mix to help encourage a healthful diet.
With 8 g of high-quality plant-based rice protein and extra amino acids, vitamin MetaKids Nutrition Powder includes an ideal childrens Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Score of 1.0supplying a balanced and complete supply of nourishment to encourage childrens development.
Our Favorite Protein Powder For Kids
Supplements for kids are not intended to take the place of a healthy, well-balanced diet.
What they do is they allow you to make up for any shortfall that might result from your child being allergic to certain foods, or when theyre simply overly picky that they tend to miss out on some of its important sources.
The ideal protein shake for kids is the one that meets all the above criteria, and one of that is Transparent Labs.
It provides high-quality whey protein for your kid, mixes well, and tastes good as well. It’s a good quality product that can be a favorable addition to your child’s diet.
Our #1 Protein Powder for Kids
Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey
- 28g of premium whey protein isolates per scoop
- 100% grass-fed whey
- Comes in four flavors: chocolate, strawberry, french vanilla, and salted caramel
- No artificial ingredients, sweeteners, or colors
Cons
Read Also: What To Eat With A Smoothie For Breakfast
Why Is Protein Important
Protein is necessary for every cell in your body. It repairs and builds tissue in your body and is the building block for bones, cartilage, muscle, and skin. It also regulates hormones, is a part of an enzyme for digesting food, and helps carry oxygen through the body.
Like carbohydrates and fat, it is a macronutrient and is something that your body must have in order to survive. Needless to say, protein is crucial for both kids and adults. But more does not equal better.
For more information about protein, check out this short video!
Source Organic Premium Pea Protein Isolate 100% Vegan And Organic
The raw organic yellow peas have been processed without using hexane or enzymes to create a natural pea protein isolate with an unsurpassed amino acid profile comprising 4.8 grams of Branched Chain Amino Acids and also 2.18 g of arginine per serving. Each crop of peas is third party laboratory analyzed pre- and post-production to fulfill nutrient and microbiological requirements.
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Staple Ingredients For The Perfect Dairy
Regardless of what smoothie youre making, the core ingredients tend to stay fairly similar. Once you have the base down, you can begin to experiment with different ingredients to create fun flavors and added textures. However, to start youll need to gather a few staple ingredients.
- Non-dairy milk of choice
- Frozen fruit and/or leafy greens like spinach
- A starch like banana, pumpkin, or gluten free rolled oats
- A sweetener of choice
- Protein and/or healthy fat! Such as nut/seed butter, flaxseed or chia seeds, plant based protein, or collagen peptides.
Kidzshake Kids Chocolate Cream Organic Protein Powder
Packed with plant and sea bases vitamins + minerals, natural fiber, protein, enzymes and probiotics. KidzShake can provide any kids daily diet a boost, also help fill those nourishment gaps when children are moving through their picky period. KidzShake can also be ideal to encourage the growth nutrient requirements of athletic children.
Each bottle includes 16 servings of protein, full multivitamin, carbohydrates, omega-3s, digestive enzymes, and fiber. All Natural, Non GMO, No Fillers, Preservatives, Dyes, Gluten, Nuts, HFCS This way Your Children will Find the best components that will help them grow and stay healthy
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But My Kid Wont Drink A Smoothie
One of the challenges with low-weight kids is that theyre struggling with weight gain and are super picky. Or, they dont have great appetites. As you read through the instructions below, make sure you read through the steps. A lot of thought has gone into the ingredients, texture, smell, and taste to give your child the best chance of actually drinking this smoothie.
Youll notice that there are optional ingredients which could make the smoothie hit or miss depending on your childs unique preferences, too.
And, you can use this base recipe to make popsicles or serve as a smoothie bowl!
Affiliate links used below. See our full disclosure.
Best Overall: Naked Whey
With only three ingredients and 25 grams of complete protein per serving, Naked Whey is ideal for gym goers and casual athletes alikeits clean, tasty, and pretty affordable, too. Its a concentrate, meaning its slightly lower in protein than whey isolates, but McDaniel appreciates that this one contains no growth hormones, comes from grass-fed cows, and is free from additives. This option is the ONLY protein powder Ill ever use, one Amazon reviewer says. I didnt expect to find one that I actually looked forward to eating. The taste is light and not overwhelmingjust delicious.
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Additions To Your Vegan Protein Smoothies:
-cashews soaked overnight in water
-freshly ground flax seed
-chia seeds
-local bee pollen
-moringa
-a pinch of Himalayan sea salt
-powdered ginger
We all have our own problems we face when it comes to feeding kids. I happen to think that feeding kids and molding eating habits in a child is such an honorable, overlooked job. The way I see it, you have the power to give your kids a firm foundation to stand on for the rest of their lives with a healthy diet. I know that diet cant prevent all health problems, but it certainly helps.
If you even remotely care about what your kid eats, know that it is more than enough. Youre a good Mama. Your kid will be fine. In the meantime, lets have a playdate and drink wine while the kids play, ok? And lets make homemade animal crackers because theyre so fun and cute!
Let me know if you love these protein smoothies for kids! And, if youre looking for some smoothie bowls for the adults, how about these vegan açaí bowls from Emily?
Ways To Add Protein To Smoothies
Feb 18, 2020·
Smoothies can be a wholesome snack or on-the-go meal packed with nutrition…right? Then why do you often feel hungry and your blood sugar crashing an hour after you drank one? If this sounds familiar, it may be time dial in your smoothie game and think about ways to add protein to your smoothies to keep you energized and satisfied!
I feel like we talk smoothies a lot! You guys know I’m a big fan of smoothies. I find that since 90% of American adults don’t eat the daily recommended amount of fruits and vegetables , smoothies can be an efficient way to pack in some more produce. And from the comments and emails I’ve received about my popular NTF 5-a-Day Green Smoothie that helps you get five servings of fruits and vegetables in one glass, I’d say many of you seem to agree!
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Ingredients In Banana Spinach Protein Shake For Kids
To make this banana protein smoothie, youll need frozen banana and baby spinach. If you have a powerful blender, you can simply half the bananas and stick them into a zip top freezer bag to freeze. If your blender has some difficulty blending mixtures very smooth, slice your banana first and then freeze. The smaller pieces will be easier to blend.
What Age Can A Child Have Protein Shakes
Healthy homemade protein shakes for kids do exist. Protein breakfast shakes for kids are a quick and efficient fix for children who are picky eaters.
For children aged 5 to 9 years old, 19 grams of protein per day is the ideal. For kids aged 9 to 13, it is 34 grams of protein per day. For teenagers, it may vary from 45 to 55 grams of protein per day.
The above figures are for a normally active kid. For an extremely active kid, doing athletics, a healthy protein shake might be a good thing to be included in his diet.
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Why I Love Smoothies
If youve been around awhile it will come as no surprise that I love a good smoothie recipe. I mean, who doesnt want a delicious meal that can be made in minutes and taken on the go? Not to mention, theyre incredibly good for you, too! Okay, dont get me wrong. Some smoothies, like those bought in stores, are loaded with sugars and are the exact opposite of healthy. However, around here, theyre made in the kitchen and loaded with fresh fruit, vegetables, healthy fats, and even some protein. As a result, homemade smoothies have incredible health benefits including:
- Improved digestion
- Improved hydration
- Clear skin
Plus, if you know the right ingredients to use, you can easily create a nutritious smoothie that tastes like dessert!
Myth #: Kids Protein Shakes Are A Healthy Meal Replacement
Sure, kids protein drinks can be a useful tool for kids with extreme food aversions or those suffering from malnutrition. But for the majority of healthy kids, theyre completely unnecessary, Jaramillo says. Unless a doctor or specialized dietitian recommends these kinds of protein drinks to treat a medical concern, parents should use them only as a last resort snack, not a regular meal replacement. Really I would say the only time that its really appropriate for a child to use this as a meal supplement is if theyre on the go they forgot lunch and theres really no other option, Jaramillo says.
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Are Sports Drinks Ever Ok
The AAP recommends that active children stay well hydrated by drinking plain water , flavored water, or an appropriate sports drink. Here are some things to keep in mind when considering sports drinks for kids:
- Be selective: Sports drinks are really only necessary if a child exercises very intensely and sweating profusely. Otherwise, they should hydrate with water. Active kids should fuel up by eating carbohydrates soon after intense exercise , followed by more carbohydrates two hours later.
- Be mindful of bedtime: If this will mean extra calories before bed, though, kids should eat an early dinner an hour or more before a workout, practice, or game. Then let them have a small, healthy snack afterward.
- Stick to healthy carbs: And know that a recommendation to eat carbs as a snack after exercise doesn’t mean that your child should eat chips, candy, or other . These high-carb foods are made up of simple sugars and should likely be avoided. Instead, stick with high-fiber complex carbs, such as whole-grain starches and whole fruits instead of juice.
- Opt for lower-calorie protein: Milk, ice cream, and protein powder are likely to provide a high fat, high protein snack with too many calories. Instead, a glass of low-fat milk or yogurt and/or fresh fruit or a fruit smoothie might be a better choice. Low-fat milk and yogurt are good protein-rich foods too.
What Kind Of Protein Powder
The biggest issue with protein powders is that this supplemental category is virtually unregulated. So, youll want to do your homework and talk with your pediatrician or dietitian before you decide to give a powder to your children.
Many people assume protein powders made for adults are fine for children, and theyre not. Adult protein powders are optimized for older people and may have excessive amounts of protein or calories, which can lead to the unintended side effects in children that we mentioned earlier.
So if youre on the hunt for a powder, keep these tips in mind:
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What Are Some Tips When Making Smoothies
Make sure you layer them correctly so your blender can get through them. Making smoothies , takes some practicing to figure out ratios and measurements of what YOU like. When youre blending, start with a medium speed to get things broken up and then increase the speed as it becomes a little smoother and more liquid. Check the thickness as you are blending and add more liquid if its too thick or add more ice or fruit if its too thin. Again, blend to your preference.
Kids Superfood Shake Mocha Greens Powder By Feel Great 365
The hunt for creative approaches to feed your child the daily servings of vegetables and fruits is finished. With just one serving our milk Mocha Chocolate Superfoods for kids it is possible to provide them the nourishment they have to be healthful.
Our organic superfood contains every one the berries and greens you may think about such as broccoli, kale, spinach, strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, and so a lot more! Made with Organic Ingredients.
In accordance with food nourishment, our kids need such a broad assortment of veggies fruits, probiotics, digestive enzymes, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins, this green Superfood Shake covers most of the bases for a developing kid.
It is no surprise that it is difficult to provide a child what they want at the course of their everyday diet. Now they could receive all the veggies & fruits required to maintain them in optimum wellness.
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How Can I Make My Smoothie Sweeter
My complaint about smoothies for the longest time was that I could never get them sweet enough. I love sweet. Some things I like to add to my smoothie for sweetness are honey, vanilla Greek yogurt, apple juice , a banana, maple syrup, stevia, agave nectar. Any of these things will make your smoothie nice and sweet.
Protein In Smoothies Without Powder:
O N E: Strawberry-Banana Tofu Smoothie. Look, I realize theres a special level of hell for people like me that hide tofu in recipes, but at nearly 3 grams of protein per ounce, Im doing it for the kids.
Into the blender goes 1 1/4 cups of filtered water, a 4 ounce chunk of sprouted tofu, 1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries, 1 sliced frozen banana, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Blend and add more honey if you think your kid needs it. . And please dont give honey to kids younger than 12 months old.
T W O: Chocolate-Coconut Hemp Smoothie. Hemp seeds are my freaking favorite. And not just because I swear they calm me down , but Im also very into their nutritional profile! Just 3 tablespoons have 9 grams of protein! And since Camille will literally eat anything with chocolate in it, she loves this smoothie. I also have these homemade protein bars with hemp that we make weekly!
I use: 1 cup full-fat coconut milk from a can, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 1/4 cup dried coconut flakes, 1 tablespoon honey, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 3 tablespoons of hemp seeds.
Its nothing but: 1 cup full-fat coconut milk from a can, 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple, 2/3 cup cooked peas.
F O U R: Peanut Butter & Jelly. My kid had never tasted a peanut butter and jelly sandwich until last week. She didnt love it. But, she loves this smoothie because it has frozen grapes in it.
It uses: 1 cup 2% milk, 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter and 1 cup frozen grapes.
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