How to Select the Best Protein Powders for Kids?

Protein is good for building muscles and bones. It is also vital to create body enzymes and hormones that are great energy sources. Protein is also crucial for a well-balanced diet. While adults are aware of sufficient protein intake, kids being picky eaters may unknowingly skip the essential protein.

Therefore, parents need to look for the best protein powder for a child in India to ensure their kids get a sufficient dose of protein.

How Much Protein Do Kids Need?

Generally, toddlers require around 15 g of protein every day to meet their requirements. However, each child’s protein needs are distinct. The rule of thumb for identifying the required grams of protein for your child is to take their weight (in pounds) and then divided it by two. 

After that, make sure that your child has that amount of protein per day. For instance, if your toddler weighs around 25 pounds, you need to provide about 12-13 g of protein to your child per day.

This amount of protein is easy to achieve with real foods, without the need for protein powders or other supplements.

What Kind of Protein Powder?

One of the biggest confusion is deciding what protein powder to consider for kids. The best way is to research, as a supplemental category is unregulated virtually. You can even talk to a pediatrician before choosing a protein powder for your children.

Many people make the mistake of thinking that protein powders for adults are also fine for their kids. But it’s not true. Adult protein powders contain the amount of protein or calories for older people. So, it can lead to unwanted side effects in kids, as the protein amount children need is not the same as adults.

If you are looking for a protein powder for kids, consider these things:

1. Check the Protein Levels

You don’t want your children to have more protein than required. Even if you are focusing on protein powders for kids, check the total protein amount. A protein powder must be promising enough to ensure that it does not exceed the recommended amount for a daily diet.

2. Less is More

Although there is no guarantee, the lesser the ingredients are in a protein powder, the higher are chances of it having any questionable additives. For instance, if you are looking for whey protein, make sure to choose the one that includes only whey protein concentrate as an ingredient. 

3. Avoid Artificial Sweeteners or Sugar

When choosing a protein powder, look for the ones that contain no sugar or artificial sweeteners. For, feeding excess sweeteners in the form of protein are not good for their health.

4. Check the GMP Label

GMP (good manufacturing practices) label indicates that protein powder for teenagers or young people is made in a facility adhering to the supplement industry’s best practices. It also means that the manufacturers will list all ingredients so you can make a well-informed decision.

Conclusion

Protein powders are great for picky eaters, as you can easily mix them in regular smoothies, cereals, or other meals. However, ensure to consult a pediatrician before investing in a protein powder. A pediatrician is likely to recommend you a healthy protein powder to fulfill the daily recommended dose of protein. 

Also, Visit here: Pregnancy Nutrition: What Foods to Eat and What to Avoid