Nutrition among children is a significant concern as they are picky eaters. Most parents look for the best protein for kids, as they generally do not finish their meals and overall nutrition remains compromised. As per recent studies conducted, the majority of children were found to be undernourished.
When it comes to a child’s development, protein is one of the key ingredients essential for healthy growth. Protein is made up of 20 amino acids, and the human body can only produce 11 out of these. It means that the rest nine must be procured from external sources to fulfil the body’s requirements.
What is the Role of Protein?
Protein is the building block of life and acts as an essential structural component of body tissues. It is one of the most vital macronutrients, as every cell of our body is made of it and is required for growth and development.
- Aids Brain Development: Neurotransmitters present in the brain consist of proteins. These are essential for the healthy functioning of the brain cells. The brain directs the body to perform various actions, and each activity requires the strength provided by protein.
- Boosts Energy levels: Lack of protein and carbohydrates can result in a drop in children’s energy and lead to lethargy. For it to produce energy, the body needs carbohydrates. However, when carbohydrates are low, the body uses calories from protein to generate energy.
- Supports Cognitive Functions: Protein contributes to various cognitive functions of the brain as well. These include – thinking clearly, concentration and learning. Lack of nutrition can hamper the cognitive growth of the child.
- Promotes Muscle Growth: Protein is a vital component of the body’s tissues and is required in building and maintaining muscles. Protein also helps repair muscle loss that happens in your child’s body from daily running and playing.
- Builds Metabolism: Certain hormones and enzymes are required to build the metabolism levels, and protein supports their growth.
- Assists Cell Development: Protein acts as a significant contributor to the generation and regeneration of cells. This macronutrient speeds up the healing process, aids blood replenishment, and improves hair and nail health.
- Helps in Haemoglobin Production: Haemoglobin present in the blood is required to carry oxygen to every part of the body. Protein supports the growth of haemoglobin, and this affects the mood of the child as well.
- Leads to Strong Immunity: Poor immunity is a common sight among children these days. Protein helps in boosting the immune system and supports in fighting disease-causing bacteria and viruses.
Recommended Protein for Children
Protein requirement is not the same for every child as it depends on the child’s body and age. Experts suggest the below-mentioned protein intake for different age groups:
| Age of the Child | Recommended Protein Dosage per day (in Grams) |
| 0 To 6 Months | 6.7 grams |
| 6 to 12 Months | 8.8 grams |
| 1 to 3 years | 13 grams |
| 4 to 8 years | 19 grams |
| 9 to 13 years | 34 grams |
Various Sources of Protein
We can obtain proteins from various dietary sources. These include:
- Protein from Plant-Based Sources: For vegetarians and vegans also there are plenty of dietary options for protein. Some examples are – tofu, soymilk, nuts, peanut butter, legumes, seeds, and soy yoghurt.
- Dairy Food: Milk and Milk products are among the top protein sources. These include – curd, cheese, cottage cheese, etc. that are excellent sources of protein.
- Meat and Fish: Lean meats like chicken and fishes like salmon are loaded with the goodness of protein and are often recommended by health experts.
- Eggs: Loaded with proteins, eggs are always popular among parents for their child. Experts suggest adding eggs to your child’s daily diet.
Why Choose Protein Powder for Children?
Balancing nutrition in a child’s diet can be a tricky task, and one must consider using protein powder for children in case any of the following cases hold:
- You Have a Vegetarian Diet: Being a vegetarian adds to the struggles of adding protein to the child’s diet as the protein quantity present in vegetarian sources is not the same as the non-vegetarian ones. Consider adding protein powder for children in your kid’s diet to solve this problem, and rest assured your child’s daily nutritional intake is taken care of.
- Your kid is a Picky Eater: With fussy eaters, making them consume protein-rich foods can be nerve-wracking. The protein powders for children available in the market are loaded with healthy proteins and essential minerals. They are easy to drink, taste good and are safe for consumption for your little one.
- Your Child is Physically Active: If your child is athletic and has a high amount of physical activity, then his/her protein requirement is much higher than other children. Adding protein powder for children in the child’s diet is a good idea as it is tasty, convenient to carry, and easy to drink.
Adding Protein Drink to Your Child’s Diet
Parents are reluctant to add protein powder to their child as they worry about adulteration and nutritional composition. However, even health experts believe it is best to supplement the protein intake for kids with health drinks to have a balanced intake.
As a parent, it can be challenging to choose the best protein for kids as there are multiple options available in the market. But one brand that stands out among the many is Gritzo.
Gritzo SuperMilk is a popular choice among parents as a safe and effective protein powder for children with 100 percent natural ingredients. It is free from refined sugars, preservatives, colours, trans fat and gluten. Gritzo SuperMilk features a delicious double chocolate flavour and is scientifically formulated using pure whey protein.
Depending on your child’s age and activity levels, you can pick from the three variants offered by the brand – Gritzo SuperMilk Active for 4-7-year-olds, Gritzo SuperMilk Young Athletes for 8-12-year-olds, and Gritzo SuperMilk Teen Athletes 13+ Years.
