100 1 25 25 bodybuilding.com
Bodybuilding.com Information Motivation Supplementation
in: Whole Site
How To Get Your Kids To Eat More Protein!

Our kids are faced with a world of choices and most of these choices rank very low on the protein scale. Here are some easy tips to get you started. Learn more.

By: Shannon Clark

Article Summary:
  • Tuna is an excellent source of protein that is very low in fat.
  • Chocolate milk does have some sugar, but it's much less than in soda.
  • If you're in a rush for breakfast grab a protein bar for them.

  • How To Get Your Kids To Eat More Protein!

    Putting in the effort to get your kids on a good diet program is one of the best things you can do right now. Many parents take the time to read to their children, hoping this will foster a positive mindset toward the activity as they enter their later high school years, yet neglect to play a role in the food choices they consume.

    Getting Your kids On A Good Diet Program Is One Of The Best Things You Can Do.
    + Click To Enlarge.
    Getting Your kids On A Good Diet Program
    Is One Of The Best Things You Can Do.

    What your kids put into their body on a regular basis will not only influence their energy levels while they are at school and afterward, but it will also impact their body weight. Body weight is something that affects everything they do in the years to come. Those who battle issues with weight see their self-esteem plummet and often don't participate in many activities as they should because they are too conscious of their body.

    By taking steps to improve their diet and making sure they're on the right track, you're doing them a huge favor.

    One area many kids fall short on is their protein intake. Our kids face a world of choices when it comes to snack foods and convenience meals at school, and most of these choices rank low on the protein scale.

    RELATED ARTICLE
    Raising Healthy Children In An Unhealthy World!
    [ Click here to learn more. ]
    Raising Healthy Children In An Unhealthy World!
    Preventing obesity means adjusting, or acclimating children to a healthier lifestyle. Much of what is eaten now-a-days is quick and easy ... Learn more.
    Author:
    Maureen Meehan

    Maureen Meehan

    Usually you aren't going to send your kids off to school with a piece of steak for protein, so you need to think of other convenient ways to boost the protein content of their everyday meals.

    Here are some easy tips to get you started.


    Create A Tuna Dip

      Tuna is one of the best protein sources for your kids to eat since it is virtually fat free and full of protein. Limit their intake to a couple of cans a week just to make sure they stay within the safe mercury intake guidelines, but it will make for a very quick lunch prep for you.

    Tuna Is One Of The Best Protein Sources For Your Kids.
    + Click To Enlarge.
    Tuna Is One Of The Best
    Protein Sources For Your Kids.

      Mix one can of tuna with one or two tablespoons of fat-free Mayonnaise, and then stir in some pickle relish and any spices you think your kids would enjoy. Place this in a small Tupperware container along with a plastic bag full of carrots, celery, and cucumbers that they can use with the tuna dip.


    Mix Cottage Cheese And Yogurt Together

      Cottage cheese is another good source of protein and will also supply your kids with a good dose of calcium. Since most kids won't eat cottage cheese straight, mix it with their favorite flavored yogurt. This will add more flavor and also increase the protein content.

    RELATED ARTICLE
    Don't Kill Your Children: Make The Right Choices For Your Child's Future!
    [ Click here to learn more. ]
    Don't Kill Your Children: Make The Right Choices For Your Child's Future!
    McDonald's menu can be just as healthy as it is unhealthy. This is what I would imagine most people, like me, feed their children. Right? Dead wrong! Here's one way I exercise my right to make healthy choices. Read on.
    Author:
    Marc Lobliner

    Marc Lobliner

      Each half cup of cottage cheese will contain about 16 grams of protein while each half cup of yogurt should contain 4-6 grams of protein.


    Keep Chocolate Milk In The Fridge Instead of Soda

      Soda is one of the biggest culprits of childhood weight problems, so it's in your best interests to eliminate this food from their meal plan altogether.

      Instead of keeping soda in the house on hand, keep chocolate milk. While it does contain some sugar, there's a much higher chance your kids will reach for this compared to white milk and it'll still be much better for them nutritionally speaking than soda or even juice for that matter.

    RELATED POLL
    Which Of These Do Your Kids Prefer To Drink?

    Water.
    Soda.
    Milk.
    Chocolate Milk.
    Juice.

      Each cup of chocolate milk they drink will provide them with 8-9 grams of protein (depending on the brand and the percent fat).


    Try Hard Boiled Eggs For A Snack

      Hard boiled eggs make for another very convenient source of protein that will transport well to school and go down easily for most kids. If you're extra creative, you can scoop the egg yolks out of the hard boiled eggs and mix them with low-fat mayonnaise or ketchup for added flavor.

    Hard Boiled Eggs Make For Another Convenient Source Of Protein.
    + Click To Enlarge.
    Hard Boiled Eggs Make For
    Another Convenient Source Of Protein.

      Hardboiled eggs can also be sent along with a dill dip and fresh, chopped vegetables.


    Provide Protein Bars Rather Than Cereal Bars

      Since you at some points just won't have the time to prepare a snack or meal for your kids, have some lower sugar protein bars on hand as a great option. These are far better than sending them off with a cereal bar, which typically doesn't even contain a single gram of protein.

    RELATED PRODUCT
    Hi Protein Bar Universal Presents:
    Hi Protein Bar

    First there was the "energy bar." This was followed by the "high protein" bar and then the "low carb" bar. With the Hi Protein Bar, a new precedent has been set: the high protein/low carb (HPLC) bar. Hi Protein Bar is the first HPLC bar with more than 33-34g of protein and only 7g of net impact carbs. With a protein-to-carb ratio of nearly 5-to-1, there is no other bar like it in the world.
    [ Click here to learn more. ]

      Cereal bars will create a sugar spike in your children, leaving them full of energy, but then it will quickly be followed by a drop where they will crash and get cranky and irritable.

      The protein bar will keep their energy on a more even keel and many taste very close to a chocolate bar so should be a welcomed addition to the lunch bag.


    Scoop Cottage Cheese Over Pasta And Tomato Sauce

      Finally, to up the protein intake at the dinner meal, add in one scoop of cottage cheese to whatever pasta or rice dish you create. This works especially well with tomato sauce since it'll give it a creamy effect as it melts into the sauce.

    Add A Scoop Of Cottage Cheese To Whatever Pasta Or Rice Dish You Are Creating.
    + Click To Enlarge.
    Add A Scoop Of Cottage Cheese To Whatever
    Pasta Or Rice Dish You Are Creating.

      Then, before serving the pasta dish also sprinkle on some low fat Parmesan cheese, which is also a great source of protein, and you've created a protein-friendly meal your kids will enjoy. Keep in mind that this also works well with commercial Kraft Dinner, since it alone isn't all that high in protein.


    Conclusion

    Getting your child's protein intake up doesn't have to be a struggle. The key is finding good protein sources they will enjoy and then mix these into foods they already eat.

    How To Get Your Kids To Eat More Protein!
    ShannonC_77@yahoo.ca

    Recommend this article to a friend by e-mail here!

    Back To Shannon Clark's Main Page

    Back To The Articles Main Page.

    Related Articles
    Should Schools Be Required To Provide Healthy Foods For Kids?
    Childhood Obesity: What Must Be Done To Turn The Tide!
    Nutrition For The Youth Wrestler: A Guide For Incredible Success!



    RATE THIS ARTICLE
    POOR
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • 4
    • 5
    • 6
    • 7
    • 8
    • 9
    • 10
    EXCELLENT
    OVERALL RATING
    N/A

    Out of 10

    0 Ratings

    0

    Comments

    Showing 0 - 0 of 0 Comments

    (5 characters minimum)

        • notify me when users reply to my comment
    Showing 0 - 0 of 0 Comments

    Featured Product

    Give Us Feedback:
    Report A Problem
    Site Feedback
    Follow Us:
    Twitter
    Facebook
    RSS Feeds
    Bodybuilding.com Newsletter

    Receive exciting features,
    news & special offers from Bodybuilding.com