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Protein is a very important part of a child’s diet because they need it to grow and develop properly. Kids simply do not have the same ability to process protein like adults do, because their digestive systems are not designed to deal with protein at a very high level. Therefore, protein must be introduced gradually to them.
Kids should not be overlooked when it comes to introducing protein to their diets, because their bodies are not ready for protein yet. They do need a healthy amount of protein in order to grow and develop properly, but they do not need everything that adults eat. Therefore, protein should be added gradually, in small amounts, to help their bodies adjust to these changes in protein intake. If kids continue to get enough protein, their bodies will not get used to a sudden increase in protein and may experience complications such as overuse or underuse of protein. It is important to introduce protein slowly to help your child become accustomed to new protein sources.
Even if they eat a healthy protein-rich diet, their body still needs more protein at different times of the day because their bodies are always working. Therefore, protein-rich snacks can be a great way to satisfy their protein needs without affecting their diet. Protein is also found in a lot of foods, so adding protein-rich foods such as yogurt and chicken (without the skin) to their diet would be a healthy way to satisfy their protein needs without adding unhealthy foods to their diet.1
What is Protein Deficiency?
One of the most fundamental questions one can ask when it comes to nutrition is what is a protein deficiency? Protein is an essential nutrient and a necessary part of our diet, yet many of us don’t get enough from our food.2 Deficiencies in protein occur due to both loss and gain of proteins in our body.3
A protein deficiency is a situation where we can not produce adequate amounts of proteins within our bodies. This can occur for many reasons, but the primary reason is usually due to poor protein intake from our diet. We can lose proteins through the process of daily muscle breakdown, from excessive fat consumption, or from the processing of foods that we eat.4 If protein is not consumed from our diet, we can compensate by eating meats, fish, protein supplements, and poultry products that provide adequate protein for our bodies.
When protein is not consumed from our diet we cannot produce essential amino acids to help form new muscles. These proteins are known as amino acids and there are 20 different ones that can be found in each protein-rich meal.5 Amino acids need to be processed quickly to make sure they are released into the system. This process is called catabolism and involves the breaking down of proteins to create more fuel (amino acids). For most people, protein supplements are the fastest way to replenish essential amino acids and are the recommended dietary protein supplement. To learn more about how protein works and how you can increase your protein intake, consider taking a whey protein supplement.
What Are the Symptoms of a Protein Deficiency?
It’s been said that most people don’t get enough protein because we all eat too much meat, dairy, etc. What they don’t realize is that we don’t really need to eat these kinds of foods, unless we’re eating very few calories or fat. There are many things that cause a protein deficiency and one of them is hypoproteinemia, which is a problem with getting enough protein. Other causes of protein deficiency are aging, thyroid problems, and tumors.6
The main signs of a protein deficiency include a tired feeling, joint aches, and pains, poor appetite, diarrhea, irritability, lethargy, loss of weight, skin and hair problems, depression, and headaches. These are only a few of the signs and symptoms, and if any of these signs and symptoms are occurring, then it’s probably time to start considering changing your diet.
By changing up your diet every so often, you can ensure that you always have the right amount of nutrients to help support good health. By keeping track of your food intake, you will be able to monitor how many calories you’re really consuming and make necessary changes to your diet to prevent gaining weight and putting your health at risk.
Signs of a Protein Deficiency in Kids
Let’s face it unless you are an athlete or are in good shape you probably don’t consume enough protein. For many people, protein deficiencies in kids and adults can be devastating to their overall health.7 When there is a protein deficiency the most common symptoms in kids and adults that are evident are muscle cramps, loss of appetite, loss of energy, lethargy, and loss of mental alertness. If any one of these symptoms in kids or adults signals that something is lacking a protein that is needed for proper body functioning this is when a doctor should test the sufferer’s protein levels.8
When we talk about symptoms in kids and adults though we often overlook the signs of protein deficiencies in kids because they often look like other diseases or disorders. The only way to really know if there is a deficiency in protein in your child is to have him or her tested by a physician. It is important to keep in mind that just because your child doesn’t have a certain symptom doesn’t mean he or she doesn’t have a protein deficiency. A quick protein test will let you know if the level of protein in his or her blood is normal. It can also tell you if there are any protein deficiencies in kids and if so what those deficiencies are.9
There are several causes for protein deficiencies in kids. Many of them are things that parents can help to prevent from happening. The main causes of protein deficiency include eating the wrong kinds of protein, not enough water intake, and not getting enough vitamins. By making sure to eat a balanced diet that is full of protein and water along with taking vitamin supplements you can help to prevent protein deficiencies in kids.
Increasing Protein Intake For A Child’s Diet
Increasing protein intake for a child has become a popular topic of discussion among dietitians and health professionals alike. The common advice to increase protein consumption is to provide your child with more lean meats and dairy products. Protein plays an important role in building and repairing the tissues in our bodies.10 If we do not get enough protein, we suffer from deficiencies in muscle, bones, organs, and other tissues, which can lead to weak immune systems, infections, stunted growth, and even increased risk of cancer. Increasing protein consumption for kids can help them develop a healthy diet, and they may even enjoy increased energy, better physical performance, and a longer lifespan.11
Protein is a building block of muscles, bones, and tissues throughout the body, so you should make sure to provide your child’s meals with plenty of lean red meats, poultry, and fish. You can also include lean cuts of pork, as long as they are not too fatty. If you are wondering how to find high-quality protein for kids, check with the local grocery store’s food section or make your own ingredients, if you are so inclined. Alternatively, consider purchasing whey and casein supplements from the internet, which will provide your child with the essential amino acids that they need.
As increasing protein intake for a child is likely to take time, you should begin to introduce it gradually. For instance, when your child is first receiving increased protein from a new food, he should start with a very small amount. This amount should be spread out over several meals. When you introduce additional protein, later on, you can gradually increase the number of foods that your child can eat.
A good idea would be to first introduce whole grain and dairy products. As your child grows, try to introduce even more high-quality protein sources, such as chicken and beef. The first few weeks of your child’s diet should include mostly vegetables and fruits. These types of foods contain the most nutrients and protein. As your child progresses, continue to add some high protein, but low carbohydrate foods, like lean chicken and eggs.12 As always, be sure to closely monitor your child’s weight, because any sudden increase in weight may be dangerous.
Once you have started increasing protein intake for a child’s diet, do not be surprised if they begin to lose weight. It is possible for children to become overweight when they are still growing. However, this usually changes as they get older and the body’s needs change. This does not mean that you should decrease protein intake, as protein itself is necessary to maintain good health. In fact, a balanced diet for children is healthier than one that solely consists of protein.
Finally, it is important to remember that just because your child is eating more protein doesn’t mean that they are satisfied with the foods that they are eating. As parents, we need to be sure that our children receive the best nutrition possible. This can be done by increasing protein intake for a child’s diet. They will be happy to get the protein that they need to help build strong muscles.
Image Credits
Only My Health / 2021
Power of Positivity / December 20, 2015
Nutrition News / August 6, 2018
The Indian Express / October 2, 2018
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0 “Protein for Children: Health Benefits, Requirement & Food Sources.” 4 Jul. 2018, https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/protein-for-kids/ Accessed 4 Aug. 2021.
11 “Protein – Healthy Kids Association.” https://healthy-kids.com.au/food-nutrition/nutrients-in-food/protein/ Accessed 4 Aug. 2021.
12 “Protein for Kids: Kid-Friendly, Protein-Rich Foods – Verywell Family.” https://www.verywellfamily.com/protein-rich-foods-2633936 Accessed 4 Aug. 2021.
