Whey Protein for Kids

Protein is a vital macronutrient in your child's diet, supplying the amino acids necessary for healthy growth and development. Whey protein, a component of cow's milk, serves as a nutritional supplement available in powder or liquid form. The proteins in whey offer the full complement of amino acids your child requires for optimal nutrition, but also come with drawbacks. Before supplementing your child's diet with whey, consult his pediatrician or pediatric dietitian for advice.

Protein Needs

The amount of protein your child needs in her daily diet varies with her age and weight. The younger your child, the more protein she needs per pound, with toddlers between the ages of 1 and 3 requiring 0.55 g of protein for each pound of body weight, according to Baylor College of Medicine. When she is 4, 5 or 6 years old she needs 0.5 g per pound, and between 7 and 14 years of age she should consume 0.45 g of protein for each pound she weighs. From age 15, your child requires 0.36 to 0.4 g per pound. Whey protein can fulfill some or all of her protein needs during these years.

Advantages

The amino acids, or protein building blocks, your child requires in his diet because his body cannot formulate them are called essential amino acids. All animal sources of protein, including whey, consist of essential amino acids. In addition to providing high-quality protein, whey is quick to prepare by mixing the powder into smoothies and shakes or simply opening the container of a prefabricated whey beverage. Whey protein powder lends itself to incorporation into baked goods, pancakes, waffles or cereal products. Whey comes in a variety of flavors and may be palatable to your child for times when he balks at eating whole-food proteins.

Disadvantages

While protein is critical to your child's good health, other nutrients play a vital role as well. Whey is protein-dense but lacks the vitamins, minerals and healthy fatty acids found in whole-food proteins she needs for normal development. For instance, whey lacks the vitamin B-12 contained in eggs, the calcium available in yogurt and the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish. Furthermore, allowing your child to receive the bulk of her dietary protein through whey supplements may not teach her the life skill of constructing a well-balanced diet from a variety of foods.

Considerations

Whey protein may cost more than an equivalent amount of whole-food protein. Adding whey to your child's diet in addition to his regular food intake may also cause him to consume many more calories than he uses. If this trend continues over time, he may become overweight or even obese. However, judicious use of whey protein in your child's diet can take advantage of its benefits without negative consequences.