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There are many good types of protein for kids out there, however, when choosing which one to give your child, you should be careful about the dangers of using certain types of protein for children. Although some animal-based protein sources such as red meat and chicken can be good for your child’s health, it is wise to limit their consumption to only certain types of protein so that they will not develop a dependency. Luckily, most plant-based protein sources are as safe as animal-based protein sources are.1
Some people say that plant-based proteins are better for kids because they don’t have all the hormones and antibiotics associated with animal-based proteins. But, as long as you’re not feeding your child candy made of pure sugar or other unhealthy foods, it’s okay to give them animal protein too!2
It is never too early to start healthy habits for children. Protein intake in childhood and adolescence has been shown to be essential for proper growth, development, and maintenance of muscle mass. When choosing the right protein-based food sources for your kids it’s important that you consider their age and body weight alongside their activity levels so as not to overfeed or underfeed them with any given product.3
Animal Protein For Kids – Making Wise Choices
Are you fed up with giving your children less than the healthy amounts of animal protein that they should have? It may not be a good idea to completely cut animal protein out of your child’s diet completely but you can limit it. Some experts recommend a small amount of protein from animals each day and this is just one of the many tips that parents can use when feeding their kids healthier diets and limiting the amount of animal protein that they consume.4
When considering animal protein for kids, there are a number of different factors to keep in mind. Some kids simply have dietary concerns that don’t allow them to get enough animal protein, so they need to watch their portion sizes. Other kids may have difficulty digesting animal protein properly so they need to watch the amount of protein that they intake. Still, others may have a hard time assimilating it at all so they will need to increase the amount of plant protein that they receive.
You’ll also find that some protein from animals is much more expensive than other types so you’ll want to carefully consider the options that you have. If you have any questions about what animal protein for kids is the best you can consult with a qualified nutritionist. They can help you figure out what type of protein you should be eating and how much. The best way to make sure that your kids get the proper amounts of protein is to discuss this important topic with them and to discuss the various options that they have for protein consumption.
The Benefits of Animal Protein for Kids
There are numerous health benefits of animal protein for kids. Protein is essential in building and repairing the body. Animal products have rich sources of protein, including meats, fish, milk, and eggs. It is important to note though that not all animal proteins are the same. Some sources of protein may contain harmful byproducts. So, it is important to read the labels on the food products to ensure you are eating a healthy diet and are getting the right amount of protein for your child’s needs.5
The first of the animal protein benefits for kids is the fact that kids tend to eat more than their parents do. Research has shown that kids between the ages of one and thirteen months consume twice the protein of adults. Many studies have also shown that this increased intake is connected with increased consumption of dairy products and lean meats. Other animal protein benefits for kids include the growth of bones and muscles, the processing of fats and proteins, and the increase in cellular metabolism. Kidney function may improve as well. All of these factors combine to give kids an increased ability to absorb nutrients and reduce the risk of developing a number of health conditions.
Milk is another animal protein source that is great for kids.6 There are low-fat options and some low-calorie and low-fat varieties of milk for kids, but you don’t need to drink it as often as cow’s milk. Opt for soy or almond milk if you want to minimize your kid’s chances of getting lactose intolerance.7
Meat is one of the most popular animal protein sources. While it is protein-rich, it can still be high in fats and calories. You should choose lean options so that your kids won’t gain too much weight. Lean options are also high in protein. The benefits of protein are important for growing kids.
Finding Plant-Based Protein for Kids
The health benefits of plant-based protein for kids are becoming more widely known. Recent studies have shown that plant-based protein can reduce the risks of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity and improve brain function in children, just as it does in adults.
Fortunately, now you can get a variety of options to choose from when choosing a plant-based protein for kids. Let’s start with the basics – casein, whey, and egg white protein. They are considered the ‘mainstream’ proteins and are typically found in the majority of products targeted at young children. If you’re looking for plant-based protein for kids, look for soy protein, rice, buckwheat, or quinoa. These all are high in protein but are low in fats, sodium, and carbohydrates.8
For those young ones that have specific health needs, there are even protein supplements targeted specifically for kids with specific needs, such as infants and toddlers with allergies or special diets. There are specialty diets that allow children with lactose or gluten intolerance to eat a special diet including plant-based protein, as long as the protein does not come in large amounts. There are also a number of nutraceuticals designed especially for growing children, including milk formulas and ready-to-feed foods. With the wide range of choices available today, there is no reason that your family cannot get the protein they need from plant-based sources.9
The Benefits of Plant-Based Protein For Kids
Many people wonder what the benefits of plant-based protein for kids are and whether or not it is something that their kids should be consuming. There are a lot of benefits of plant-based protein for kids, one of them being that it can help to lower the risk of developing types of cancer. Studies have also shown that there can be positive effects on the health of pregnant women who consume certain forms of protein. One of the most popular protein sources for kids is whey, which is made from cow’s milk and therefore is highly processed and contains no fats or lactose, two things that many kids don’t like to have.
But there are other benefits of plant-based protein for kids that you might not have considered. For one thing, it is a source of essential fatty acids. This can help to prevent heart disease and may even help to keep a child’s blood pressure in check during the teenage years. Another protein source that has been studied very well is fish oil because studies have shown benefits for kids with learning disabilities who ate large amounts of fish. Other foods that are rich in protein include tofu, beans, nuts, and soy sauce.
However, just because a plant-based protein has some health benefits doesn’t mean that your child should be eating it on a regular basis. You should still try to introduce healthy choices when it comes to your child’s diet, but you should make sure that they are not eating a diet consisting largely of animal protein and saturated fat. Even if your child does like some plant-based protein, you should still strive to introduce other protein sources as well. This way, your kid will get all of the nutrients that he or she needs without suffering from nutrient deficiencies or excessive fats and cholesterol.
If you’re interested in trying to improve your kids’ health, nutrition, and muscle development, consider getting them onto a plant-based protein supplement program. The benefits of this for your kid are clear. He or she will get all of the nutrients he or she needs without getting excess fat and calories, and he or she will also start to see a noticeable improvement in his or her appearance.10 You can also get your kids involved with the program by including them in the design of the supplements. They will enjoy the process so much that they will be more likely to follow it through.11
Of course, it is important to remember that no single type of plant protein works best for kids. The best ones are going to provide the right amounts of essential fatty acids, minerals, amino acids, and even phytosterols, which are plant steroids.12 Take a look at your protein choices and see if any of them offer all of these benefits. If not, you may want to consider including some type of natural whey protein supplement in your child’s regimen. It is safe, delicious, and a perfect addition to a balanced and nutritious diet.
Image Credits
Pexels / May 1, 2020
Blue Sky Vitamin / January 15, 2020
Precision Nutrition / 2021
Fast and Up / July 28, 2020
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12 “Healthy, Plant-Based Protein Meal Ideas for Kids – Nurture Life.” 7 Dec. 2020, https://www.nurturelife.com/blog/plant-based-protein-ideas-kids/ Accessed 28 Jul. 2021.