Whey protein is a type of nutritional supplement that provides high-quality milk protein to the fitness plans of athletes, dieters or anyone wanting an extra boost of amino acids. Kids can also benefit from whey protein supplements and may be especially amenable to them if the whey is blended into a smoothie. However, as with any supplement, seek the counsel of a pediatrician for the advisability of adding whey protein to your child's diet.
Uses
If your child is a finicky eater, she may fail to gain a normal amount of weight or may even lose ground if her poor eating habits continue over time. Whey protein smoothies, which can be mixed with fruits, yogurt, peanut butter, ice cream or other enticing ingredients, may encourage her to consume not only high-quality protein but also calories in the form of sugars or fats. Similarly, whey protein smoothies can help nourish your child as she recovers from illness or injury at a time when she may have lost her normal appetite. Smoothies made from whey protein can also bolster the protein content of your child's diet as she undergoes a growth spurt.
Pros
Whey protein smoothies are convenient and versatile. They are simple and quick to prepare with the help of a blender, and you can incorporate any number of ingredients to keep them interesting and palatable. In addition to protein, these smoothies can supply his diet with vitamins, minerals, sugars and fats to balance nutrition. You can make whey protein smoothies ahead of time to pack with you when you are on the go, keeping them chilled in a cooler. Furthermore, tracking your child's protein consumption is easy with smoothies prepared from whey protein, as it frees you from having to calculate portion sizes and protein content from whole foods.
Cons
Preparing a whey protein smoothie with sufficient ingredients to provide the nutritional equivalent of whole foods may prove difficult. If smoothies are an occasional or temporary solution to a problem with your child's diet, this issue may be unimportant. However, if whey protein smoothies are a mainstay of her diet, she may experience a nutritional deficiency unless she consumes the missing nutrients in another way, such as additional supplements. On the other hand, smoothies added to her diet on top of her normal meals may result in unwanted weight gain.
Considerations
Whey protein powder added to smoothies may be expensive compared to whole-food proteins. Powdered milk may be a cost-effective alternative that provides your child with vitamin A, vitamin D and calcium in addition to protein. A final point to note is whey proteins may vary in taste from one brand to another. Although smoothie ingredients can mask the protein powder flavor, you may need to experiment with different brands to find one your child likes.
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