Choosing high-protein snacks for kids can be tough because the choices are limited and many of them taste bland or even bad. When choosing a snack for them to eat, it is important to choose healthy options, because you want them to be able to maintain a healthy weight throughout the growing years.1 The best thing to do is make sure that they are getting all the nutrients they need with each serving.
Protein snacks for kids should be made with high protein ingredients, like chicken or fish instead of meat, and contain vegetables instead of rice or pasta. These foods have the necessary amino acids, which help them to maintain a healthy balance in their body’s nutritional needs. A great snack idea would be to make a smoothie with fresh vegetables, high-fiber fruits like berries or apples, low-fat yogurt, and a dash of some high-protein snacks for kids like peanut butter. This will keep them full and provide a high nutritional value.2
Children need protein to grow and stay healthy. Unfortunately, they don’t always get enough through their diet or in school. The good news is there are plenty of high-protein snacks on the market that kids will love!
Understanding the Benefits of Protein for Children
It is a well-known fact that protein is an essential element in the diet of young and old alike. However, while most people tend to think of protein as an essential nutrient for adults, the benefits of protein for children are not widely known.3 Many children in America suffer from deficient protein levels. For example, many children who do not eat meat rarely receive any protein in their diets. This lack of protein can lead to a variety of serious health problems in later years, including osteoporosis, kidney stones, chronic pain, depression, asthma, and other disorders.4
Fortunately, there are myriad benefits of protein for children. One of the primary benefits of high protein (such as that found in meats) is that it promotes rapid muscle growth. Children who regularly receive high protein meals have reported that they experience significantly greater muscle mass than children who do not regularly consume such meals. Also, children who regularly receive high protein snacks experience improved brain functioning, better eye-sight, and other measures of brain health.5
The benefits of protein also extend to adults. Exercise is one of the best ways to help children develop properly. Many of the diseases that affect the elderly can be traced to protein deficiency in the diet. For example, many researchers believe that elderly patients who do not receive sufficient protein also suffer from serious depression and other serious medical disorders.
Children who are receiving regular physical education classes also benefit from the benefits of protein. This is because these classes help children to learn how to increase their muscle mass and burn more calories.6 High protein foods also help children develop lean muscles. In general, a high protein diet helps you to keep your children active and healthy.
If you have made the decision that your child needs a high protein diet, you may be happy to find that there are many delicious recipes available. You can make healthy meals that taste great and are good for your children.
What Are the Benefits of Greek Yogurt For Kids?
Many individuals are making the move from traditional yogurt to Greek yogurt for children. Greek yogurts are also geared more toward adults, making the question of what about the children arise.7
The benefits of Greek yogurt for children are many and varied. This type of yogurt has a higher fat content because of the active cultures found in it. Some studies have shown that consuming at least four servings of yogurt each day can help lower cholesterol levels as well as plaque from heart disease and some forms of cancer.8 As the child grows older, the benefits of Greek yogurt continue to increase as the yogurt provides the necessary calories and protein needed for their growing bodies.9
One of the benefits of Greek yogurt for children is that it is lower in sugar than other types of yogurt which help to keep the child from becoming too sweet or gassy. Also, one of the greatest benefits of Greek yogurt for children is that it has a very low lactose content which is something that most children suffer from. This is the best type of yogurt for children to use because it will help to keep them feeling fuller longer, preventing them from getting hungry as easily and making it less likely they will snack once the meal is over.10 Greek yogurt benefits children in many ways, giving them the proper nutrition they need to grow and develop normally.
Benefits of Peanut Butter As a Snack For Kids
You probably know that peanut butter is great for cooking, but did you know that it can also be a great snack for kids? Kids love food and who does not enjoy a delicious bagel in the morning, right? While peanut butter may not be considered a “nutrient” in the traditional sense of the word, it is actually made up of complex carbohydrates and proteins.11
Parents often wonder if protein benefits of peanut butter are enough reason to splurge on this delicious food. Actually, the benefits of peanut butter go beyond just protein. It’s healthy, kid-friendly, and full of nutrients that not only add to your kids’ nutrition but also boost your own. It’s high in potassium and magnesium, which are both good for you.12 It’s also high in vitamins A, B, C, and E and has no fat, making it a healthy snack for kids.
Kids love peanut butter on crackers, cookies, granola bars, and other delicious foods, but if you’re like most parents, you’ll be cutting back on the treats in favor of healthier foods for your kids. Fortunately, there are several ways to make healthy snacks for your kids without sacrificing their tasty taste. The best snack for kids containing protein (without the bad cholesterol) is a two-tablespoon serving of peanut butter on whole-wheat bread with a piece of fruit spread on the top. This provides all of the necessary vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants in one delicious bowl of delicious food.13 This healthy snack will keep your kids nourished for hours while providing multiple vitamin and mineral benefits in one delicious bite.
Benefits of Protein Powder For Kids
There are many different varieties of protein shakes for children which contain all the essential nutrients needed by them to develop and grow properly. These shakes have become so popular because of their ability to satisfy hunger, as well as providing an energy boost to improve concentration and focus. They also improve body weight and burn excess calories.14
As already mentioned above, protein shakes for kids are a great way to get all the important nutrients necessary to grow. In fact, protein is actually one of the most important nutrients for infants and young children. Protein is especially important for helping to build muscle, which helps prevent diseases such as cancer and osteoporosis. Whey protein powder is often used to add extra protein to beverages and other food products to improve the nutrition in these foods.15 Whey protein powder is also sometimes combined with milk to make a milkshake. However, protein shakes for kids can be made without using milk, which means that it is completely safe for kids to consume.
It is important to remember, however, that protein powder for kids should not replace other nutritional needs and should only be taken at specific times in certain amounts. For instance, it is not recommended that protein shakes for kids replace the necessary vitamins and minerals that your child may lack. For instance, protein powder may help to fill in some of the gaps in protein intake after meals or after sports activities. However, protein should be used as a supplement and should never be considered as a substitute for regular meals and snacks.
Image Credits
Protinex / 2021
Pexels / June 13, 2016
Pexels / January 31, 2021
Healthline / June 29, 2020
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2 “28 Healthy Snacks Your Kids Will Love – Healthline.” 12 Apr. 2019, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/healthy-snacks-for-kids Accessed 22 Jul. 2021.
3 “Protein for Child Development | Abbott Nutrition.” 8 Aug. 2018, https://www.nutritionnews.abbott/pregnancy-childhood/kids-growth/why-is-protein-important-for-kids-growth/ Accessed 22 Jul. 2021.
4 “Protein – Healthy Kids Association.” https://healthy-kids.com.au/food-nutrition/nutrients-in-food/protein/ Accessed 22 Jul. 2021.
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11 “Is Peanut Butter Healthy for Kids? | Livestrong.com.” https://www.livestrong.com/article/385561-is-peanut-butter-healthy-for-kids/ Accessed 22 Jul. 2021.
12 “Are Peanuts Good for a Kid’s Health? – The Peanut Institute.” 16 May. 2019, https://peanut-institute.com/are-peanuts-good-for-a-kids-health/ Accessed 22 Jul. 2021.
13 “Kid’s Health | National Peanut Board.” https://nationalpeanutboard.org/wellness/kids-health.htm Accessed 22 Jul. 2021.
14 “Protein Drinks for Kids: Dosage, Safety, Side Effects – WebMD.” 2 Mar. 2021, https://www.webmd.com/children/is-it-safe-to-give-a-child-protein-drinks Accessed 22 Jul. 2021.
15 “Whey Protein 101: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide – Healthline.” https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/whey-protein-101 Accessed 22 Jul. 2021.
