The Ultimate Guide to Milk Proteins for Active Pre-Teens: A Mom’s Journey
I am sure every mom, just like me, is always very careful about what their child eats and drinks. With rapid urbanisation and the growing influence of global brands and junk food, it is impossible to keep kids away from it and the only thing we can do is educate the kids to read labels.
I have been on a mission to help my children read labels and eat healthy. But my resolve strengthened recently, after a simple conversation at school.
My bright, eager pre-teen has dreams of participating in sports, and the school Physical Education teacher mentioned that for children to be active, parents need to ensure that their child is eating a balanced diet, including enough protein intake to keep up with their aspirations.
My heart sank a little. After being careful about the kind of food my children eat, we still might be lagging in the protein department.
Thus, my quest for protein began, but there were millions of questions that I needed answers to – How much protein does he need, and what are the sources that I can easily identify and ensure he eats!
Criticality of protein for growing children
- Protein supports optimal growth and development.
- Helps build muscles and tissues
- Supports the immune system
- Required for growth in children
- Improves hair and nail health
My household is a vegetarian household. While my kids do eat non-veg, it isn’t something that is cooked at home and hence it is limited. So, I decided to dive headfirst into the world of nutrition, specifically milk-based, as milk and milk products are his favourite.
I tried to find good milk protein content sources for my kids and ensure that they blend well into our family’s dietary preferences. Over the long periods of my research, I can now share my discoveries with you.
I am including the sources of milk protein content for kids, as milk is a no-fussp rotein source, especially for my active pre-teen with dreams as big as his appetite.
3 sources of milk protein content for kids
1. The Classic: Cow’s Milk
Cow’s milk is a powerhouse of high-quality protein. It’s not just about the protein; it’s a fantastic source of calcium, vitamin D, B12 and potassium1, making it a perfect treat for growing bodies. But drinking plain milk too can be boring, especially if it is every day, so I added some variations to it.
At times I add honey or finely ground dry fruit and elaichi powder to the milk. I also discovered Complan, which is clinically proven to promote 2x faster growth. Complan has 34 vital nutrients, including 100% milk protein and it contains 63% more protein than other nutrition drinks.
2. Children’s Favourite: Cheese and Cottage Cheese
Cheese is an excellent source of calcium, protein, phosphorus and vitamins B12 and A.2And the best part is, that cheese is versatile. It can be spread on toast, used as a dip for carrots and cucumbers and even with rotis.
Cottage cheese or paneer is a source of protein and carbs, fats, vitamin B12, etc.3 Another versatile addition to just about any vegetable you cook at home.
3. The Nutritional Powerhouse: Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt has become our go-to for a protein-packed snack. It’s thick, creamy, and loaded with protein, almost double the amount of regular yogurt.4 Topped with some fruit or honey, it’s the perfect post-practice treat or a quick breakfast on the go.
Conclusion
This quest for what milk protein content sources we could add to my son’s diet was about finding that right nutrition balance to aid his overall growth and development.
At the same time, it was also about supporting my son, his aspirations at doing well in school, not just in studies but also in other activities. I understood that a balanced diet leads to overall growth and development, giving the child confidence to go that extra mile.
To all the parents out there, I hope my post makes you think about giving your kid healthy and balanced food that has adequate nutrients for their growth. Choose milk protein content because it is easy to procure and already on the table of most households. Cheers to a healthy and happy childhood for our little ones.
The views expressed in the blog content are independent and unbiased views of solely the blogger. This is a part of the public awareness initiative supported by Complan.