Non-soy Protein For Children

There are many non-soy protein options for your children's diets that will provide them with the necessary nutrients for growth. Many grains contain important amino acids and are easily digestible and palatable for kids. Incomplete protein foods, which contain some essential amino acids, can be combined with complementary proteins or consumed at different times of the day to provide balance to meet your child's daily needs. Protein grams add up when you include beans, grains, nuts, seeds and eggs.

Super Alternatives

Grains and beans are more digestible and contain more protein when sprouted. Incorporating sprouted grain breads and raw sprouts such as sunflower seed, mung bean, lentil or alfalfa into your child's diet offers optimum absorbable protein and valuable nutrients. Based on sprout research, the increase in protein from a seed to a sprout is 30 percent, says the International Specialty Supply website.

Quinoa is an amazingly nutritious and easily digestible grain. According to Jonny Bowden, author of the book "The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth," the protein quality and quantity in quinoa is often superior to those of common cereal grains. Its amino acid profile is well balanced and can be compared to that of casein or milk. Children can tolerate its texture, and it works well when combined with tiny pasta or rice in soups or pilafs.

Millet has the richest amino acid profile and is quick and easy to prepare. It can be served with any gravy or sauce or served with honey and milk for breakfast.

Rice and Beans

The Become Healthy Now website provides a list of protein contents of various foods. It says that kidney beans contain 15 g per cup. These beans are commonly used in vegetarian and non-vegetarian chili. A serving of rice contains about 5 g of protein. These two foods are considered complementary to each other and make a complete protein, with all eight essential amino acids. Not only is chili a favorite for most kids, but Mexican rice and beans with melted cheese and salsa is also a winner.

Dairy

Dairy foods are complete proteins and are versatile if if they are allowed in your child's diet. There are several healthful dairy products that contain ample amounts of protein and are more digestible than milk and hard cheeses. Cottage cheese, a cultured dairy product, contains 23.4 g of protein per cup according the Food.com's Kitchen Dictionary. If fillers or other ingredients have been added, the protein contents may vary. Kefir and yogurt, both probiotic dairy products, contain about 8 g of protein per cup and can be added to fruit smoothies for additional protein.

Eggs

One egg provides 6 g of high-quality protein containing all eight essential amino acids. For children, this is an easy food to incorporate into their diets, even if only consumed a few times per week. If your child does not like eggs, french toast and homemade crepes, pancakes or waffles are good options where you can use eggs plus high-protein flours such as quinoa, millet, brown rice, amaranth or buckwheat.

Non-Soy Convenience Protein Foods

Products that use nuts, seeds, various grains and whey or rice protein will boast an ample amount of protein whether in bars or burgers. Some brands state that their products are soy-free to warn those with allergies, because soy flour and soy protein isolate are often found in these type of foods.

Go Nuts for Snacks

Nuts, which are known for their healthful fat content, also boast good amounts of protein. "The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia" by Rebecca Wood says that cashews have 5 g per oz. and sunflower seeds have 8 g per 1/4 cup.

Peanuts are a good hard-to-beat protein source for children. Two tbsp. of natural peanut butter contains 9 g of protein. Almond butter can be used the same way and contains 8 g of protein per serving.