More people are looking for protein for teens. These teens are at the age where they want to become bigger and stronger physically. Because of this, it is recommended that teens should stay away from most supplements, such as protein powders, and get their essential nutrients through healthy whole foods only.
There is actually a perfect solution for teens to gain a healthy weight level without experiencing any side effects. Whey protein isolate is the best option for teens who want to build muscles, lose fat and gain a healthy weight level.1 It is very easy to digest and absorb, which makes it ideal to have a protein shake after a workout or when you just want to have a snack.
Eating too much protein can cause problems in the body. The side effects are sometimes not common for many people but they do happen with some teens who eat a lot of animal proteins. As we age our bodies need less protein because it’s no longer being built up as quickly so you may not notice these side-effects until your late 20s or 30s when you start noticing them more often than before. Protein is only bad if it’s eaten past your daily recommended intake.2
The Benefits Of Protein For Teens
Many nutritionists will tell you that the benefits of protein for teens are more about building muscle tissue. However, it is also important to keep in mind that protein does much more for teens than simply building muscle tissue. After all, adults need protein as well. So, the benefits of protein for teens and adults should be kept in perspective so that the appropriate benefits can be obtained.
First, let’s take a look at why the benefits of protein for teens are so great. Teens need more protein because of the growing demands of their bodies. When teens begin working out, the body will naturally burn calories. The more intense the workout, the more energy the body will need to replenish. This means that teens will need a high level of protein. Without adequate protein, the teen may suffer from severe malnutrition which can have serious long-term consequences.3
Teens also need protein because they will be developing muscles. As the muscles develop, the body needs the right fuel to promote its growth. Protein provides this fuel and allows the body to develop into an even shape. Without this important nutrient, teens and adults can easily develop illnesses and poor health because they lack the necessary nutrients for proper nutrition. By including protein in their diets, teens and adults can enjoy the benefits of protein easily.
The benefits of protein for teens and adults are clear. But, protein should never be overlooked by young children. Teens and young children should always eat foods that are high in protein-rich foods such as yogurt and tofu. If you have kids who are starting to become active, you can encourage them to add more protein to their diets by making protein shakes for them to drink. Adding protein to the diet of young children is especially important for the building of strong muscles.
The benefits of protein for teens and adults need to be stressed due to the fact that it can aid in the development of stronger bones and stronger immune systems. The immune system is vital to the body’s ability to fight off diseases. Proper protein intake is important for children as they continue to grow and develop. With the proper amount of protein, teens and young adults will have the benefits of improved muscle mass, improved physical strength, and a stronger immune system. Parents should monitor their child’s protein intake to make sure the proper amounts are being received.
Symptoms of Too Much Protein in Teens
There is an increased risk of a myriad of conditions, such as osteoporosis, cataracts, diabetes, and cancer, in people with an overproduction of estrogen in their tissues. For young women, a deficiency of the hormone progesterone can lead to the development of symptoms of too much protein in teens. The hormone estrogen regulates the growth and maintenance of tissue mass. Progesterone production decreases during menopause.4 And in the presence of estrogen excess, the body tends to secrete protein in order to bring it back up to a normal level.5
Excess protein overload in teens may also be caused by nutritional deficiencies. Some teens are allergic to dairy products and some are lactose intolerant. Low levels of zinc and copper in the body can also lead to overproduction of protein, as well as other symptoms. When protein is overproduced, it has the tendency to bind with fat cells and cause fatty deposits to enlarge. In adolescents, too much protein intake can also cause proteinuria, a condition wherein the teen drinks lots of fluids but remains virtually devoid of any physical activity. Weight and appetite changes are common in protein-deficient teens.
A gradual build-up of excess protein in the muscles, liver, kidneys, bones, and joints can result in symptoms of protein imbalance. Such symptoms include muscle cramps, pain, swelling, deterioration of joints, fatigue, and changes in bowel habits. If there is an overproduction of protein in the blood, protein utilization is impaired and protein build-up can result in protein toxicity, symptoms of which include convulsions, coma, liver damage, kidney failure, and death. There is no cure for the excess protein build-up that causes symptoms of protein imbalance, but the symptoms can be managed and avoided through nutrition, proper exercise, and a healthy lifestyle.
Recommended Protein Intake for Teens – What You Should Know
If you’re a teen, and you’re in need of a protein supplement to help boost your muscle mass, it’s important to understand how much protein you should be consuming.6 For example, a young teenager weighing 110 pounds needs about 50 g of protein a day, which is an amount is based on weight, height, and age. Obviously, if you’re much taller or heavier than the average teen, or older or younger than the average teen, you’ll need more protein to bulk up. The key to building muscle and burning fat is protein, so here’s what you need to know about the recommended protein intake for teens.
- For girls: Young girls tend to outgrow their lean muscle tissue much faster than boys do, which means that they need slightly higher amounts of protein to stay in good shape. Again, this depends on your height and age, as well as your gender.7 For girls, protein supplements may be recommended as a way to stay in good health throughout adolescence and to build muscle.
- For boys: When it comes to protein intake for teens, boys have about the same recommended protein intake as girls. They are leaner, and as a result, have larger muscles.8 They also outgrow their lean muscle tissue about twice as fast as girls, so they need about twice the protein to stay in good shape. Protein helps with muscle building but is particularly important for adolescents who are building significant amounts of muscle.9
Image Credits
Cherish Nutrition / 2021
Eat This, Not That / October 22, 2019
Body and Soul / November 22, 2017
1 “What’s the Right Weight for My Height? (for Teens) – Nemours ….” https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/weight-height.html Accessed 5 Aug. 2021.
2 “How Much Protein do Teens Need? – Healthy Families BC.” 28 Feb. 2017, https://www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca/home/blog/how-much-protein-do-teens-need Accessed 5 Aug. 2021.
3 “Malnutrition – WHO | World Health Organization.” https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/malnutrition Accessed 5 Aug. 2021.
4 “Progesterone | Hormone Health Network.” 9 Oct. 2019, https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/glands-and-hormones-a-to-z/hormones/progesterone Accessed 5 Aug. 2021.
5 “Low Progesterone: Complications, Causes, and More – Healthline.” https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/low-progesterone Accessed 5 Aug. 2021.
6 “How Much Protein do Teens Need? – Healthy Families BC.” 28 Feb. 2017, https://www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca/home/blog/how-much-protein-do-teens-need Accessed 5 Aug. 2021.
7 “How Much Protein Per Day for a Teenage Girl?.” https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/much-protein-per-day-teenage-girl-6151.html Accessed 5 Aug. 2021.
8 “Can a Teenage Boy Eat Too Much Protein? | INTEGRIS.” 21 Mar. 2017, https://integrisok.com/resources/on-your-health/2017/march/can-a-teenage-boy-eat-too-much-protein Accessed 5 Aug. 2021.
9 “Nutrition for Adolescents and Teens | CHOC Clinical Nutrition.” https://www.choc.org/programs-services/nutrition/adolescents-teens-nutrition/ Accessed 5 Aug. 2021.