How A Dietary Protein Intake Helps in Kids’ Development
By Space Coast Daily // August 16, 2022
Protein is essential in many bodily functions, including building muscles, tissue repair, and recovery, strengthening bones, and ensuring oxygen supply throughout the body. Kids need more protein from infancy through adolescence to support their rapid growth and promote better immune health.
Dietary Protein in Child Development
The role of healthy nutrition practices in your kid’s growth and development isn’t up for debate. Proteins are among the healthy foods in human dietary nutrition that also double up as enzymes, immune molecules, hormones, and cellular messengers. So, they are vital for the growth and development of every child.
They contain all the essential nutrients needed for your child’s health. Specific dietary proteins like milk can deliver a full complement of over 20 essential amino acids. These are amino acids your body can’t produce and can only be obtained from food.
Non-essential amino acids are naturally produced in the body, irrespective of whether you eat them. Other vital nutrients for kids in protein foods include iron, omega 3s, zinc, B vitamins, vitamin D, calcium, and selenium.
Protein Shakes for Kids
Sometimes the proteins we get from our usual diet are insufficient to meet our body’s needs. In Kids, signs such as slow growth are enough to reveal they’re not getting enough nutrition, especially protein, from their diet alone.
Supplementing the dietary protein with kids’ protein shakes can be a beneficial solution for kids experiencing protein deficiency. Protein shakes are fun, taste good, and are also an easy way to boost a picky eater’s protein content.
Who Needs Protein Supplementation
For kids who experience food intolerance issues, protein shakes are an excellent way to deliver all the necessary nutrients they’re deficient in. They’ll help your kids reach their daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables, even when you can’t put a fresh homemade meal on the table.
Protein supplements are also recommended if your kid suffers from a medical condition that may interfere with their protein absorption. Kids involved in high athletic performances also require additional protein to supplement their different needs.
If you’re raising vegan children, an extra protein supplement is necessary to ensure they get enough nutrients since a vegan diet is not as rich in protein as fish and meat.
Effects of Too Much Intake of Protein Shakes
Consuming high amounts of any nutrient without watching for long typically comes with risks. For instance, protein overconsumption is associated with intestinal discomfort, dehydration, nausea, and headache and may increase your kids’ risk of heart disease.
Before resorting to protein shakes, it’s advisable to have your child assessed to ascertain if they can benefit from extra protein. Avoid giving your child too many protein supplements unless the doctor prescribes the right amount.
Final Thoughts
Kids need enough protein 2-3 times a day for essential body functions. Offering proteins, especially at mealtimes, is an excellent way to achieve a balanced diet, alongside vitamin C-rich foods such as fruits and veggies.
Kids with exceptional cases requiring additional dietary protein may need more protein supplements like protein shakes to meet their daily nutritional needs.
