![]() Meals and snacks that include protein have been found to decrease hunger and manage appetites better than meals without protein. Beyond the incredible role of building bodies, protein from food is a parent’s secret weapon for happier, and perhaps more focused, kids. When we eat protein-containing foods, our digestion process breaks down the creative combinations (protein) and makes each individual brick (amino acids) available to our body to build new substances like muscle, bones, and brain tissue. Amino acids (individual bricks) link together and form proteins (different creative combinations) that make up the foods we eat. ![]() 2 I like to compare amino acids to interlocking toy bricks. Protein is a crucial nutrient for kids during these times of intense growth spurts because protein provides the building blocks, or amino acids, for all the new tissue being created. ![]() 1 And between ages 11 and 13, growth significantly accelerates. It shouldn’t surprise you to know that until age 10, most kids are in a state of constant growth. Kids seem to grow like weeds! It’s almost comical how quickly they outgrow pants or shoes that fit only a week or two earlier. As a parent, it’s likely you are balancing a busy schedule that leaves you with little time or energy to investigate what’s really happening on your kid’s plate.Ī common question I often get from parents is about protein - how much do kids need, what types are best, and how do I know my kid is eating enough? Perhaps you have these same questions. Beyond the worry of ensuring they are growing and developing, wondering what to feed your kids throughout the day can also be a big challenge. We all want our kids to do well in school, activities, and relationships so they can grow up to be strong, smart, and kind. Between the frequent, inconvenient cries for food due to hunger and the unexplained, recurring change in food preferences, there are many days where I’d like to throw in the towel. Of all the challenges I knew I would face as a parent, I’m most surprised by the challenge of feeding my boys, even as a registered dietitian. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider before beginning any physical fitness or health- and nutrition-related activity. The ideas and suggestions written below are provided for general educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or care.
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