Protein shakes for children.

[So]

We are keen to increase the performance of our ten year old.

He can already squat and bench his own body weight, and can dead lift 1.5 times his body weight (though his form is poor). But we are having trouble getting the nutrients into him and after a recent break through injury we want to stay on top of things.

Okay, ignore everything so far. I am kidding. But we have a child who competes at a number of sports but who refuses to eat anything afterwards. Healthy snacks don't get eaten, a sausage roll will get nibbled at, ditto a chicken sandwich, fruit gets ignored. But he does like chocolate things and will neck a chocolate milkshake at any time of the day.

Is anyone aware of a protein / nutrition shake, available in chocolate, that isn't going to kill our little darling? I am sure that I used to get fed them as a child.

Yes, I would far prefer he had some proper food. But it isn't happening, so I just want to get SOMETHING into him.

[Slagathore]

I wouldn't be overly concerned with the milkshake option if he's fit and active. Probably more sugar than is ideal, but as long as he's not overweight and doesn't abuse them, he'll probably be fine.

Loads of ready to drink shakes available, but they're really expensive.

If you go down the protein shake route, look out for blends, not just whey. Will be more suitable for his needs as opposed to someone purely lifting.

You could possibly argue if the intensity and duration isn't that long, post-workout nutrition isn't always massively important. Particularly if it's a day or so before he works out again.

[welshjon81]

We had the same problem. Our 10 year old swims at 18:30 so obviously we have to feed him before he goes. Afterwards, he refuses to eat another meal.

I opted for Complan. Not overly intrusive in protein but kids don't need as much as adults. Full of vitamins and they are about 250Kcals so not too much there either.

I think it's a great idea giving him the extra boost as long as they don't replace any meals. In our case, he wasn't getting any previously so it's an add on.

Also, he seems to enjoy them too but they need to be mixed in a blender or in our case a hand held blender.

[rsbmw]

What about blending some bananas, milk, bit of whey powder and chocolate nesquick powder?

[HTP99]

So said:

We are keen to increase the performance of our ten year old.

He can already squat and bench his own body weight, and can dead lift 1.5 times his body weight (though his form is poor). But we are having trouble getting the nutrients into him and after a recent break through injury we want to stay on top of things.

LOL I read that and though "WTAF".

Can't help I'm afraid.

[anonymous-user]

You want a protein shake because a 10 year old won't eat?

How about a bit of discipline instead? A 10 year old is old enough to understand reasoning and consequences.

[anonymous-user]

rsbmw said:

What about blending some bananas, milk, bit of whey powder and chocolate nesquick powder?

Good shout. Also aren’t there plenty of choc flavour protein bars about? Some choc chip higher protein snack bars too? E.G. https://www.naturevalley.co.uk/what-we-make/protei...

Not truly ‘healthy’ I guess - but no harm for a kid burning lots of energy!

[So]

keirik said:

You want a protein shake because a 10 year old won't eat?

How about a bit of discipline instead? A 10 year old is old enough to understand reasoning and consequences.

We did used to beat him if he didn’t eat, but when we weren’t at the fixtures it was becoming increasingly difficult to find someone prepared to beat him by proxy. Then social services became involved and everything became messy.

We do still use corporal punishment with his reading exercises. We believe that reading and comprehension standards are too low in this country, particularly on the Internet.

Edited by So on Sunday 24th February 10:24

[Mr Pointy]

There's a whole raft of alternatives here:
https://www.myprotein.com/nutrition/protein/blends...

Just make sure you only buy when there's a sale on (which is nearly always).

[ambuletz]

take him to KFC or McDonalds afterwards? not a single child would say no to that.

[anonymous-user]

So said:

keirik said:

You want a protein shake because a 10 year old won't eat?

How about a bit of discipline instead? A 10 year old is old enough to understand reasoning and consequences.

We did used to beat him if he didn’t eat, but when we weren’t at the fixtures it was becoming increasingly difficult to find someone prepared to beat him by proxy. Then social services became involved and everything became messy.

We do still use corporal punishment with his reading exercises. We believe that reading and comprehension standards are too low in this country, particularly on the Internet.

Edited by So on Sunday 24th February 10:24

There's always a nutter!

When you say after fixtures/training - how long after? Exercise tends to dim appetite as the body has switched to 'sports mode' rather than 'feed/eat mode' (no these aren't scientific terms!). It may just be that you need to leave it for an hour so that genuine hunger kicks in. 10 years old is too young to be thinking about what you 'ought' to eat, it will be about what you 'want' to eat.

[bigandclever]

If you’re intested I’ve got a few of these you can try. Leftovers from a couple of events last year. Strawberry flavour too. PM me your address and I’ll stick them in the post.

https://www.mountainfuel.co.uk/ultimate-recovery-f...

[So]

Roman Rhodes said:

There's always a nutter!

When you say after fixtures/training - how long after? Exercise tends to dim appetite as the body has switched to 'sports mode' rather than 'feed/eat mode' (no these aren't scientific terms!). It may just be that you need to leave it for an hour so that genuine hunger kicks in. 10 years old is too young to be thinking about what you 'ought' to eat, it will be about what you 'want' to eat.

Within an hour, but you are agreeing with me. We want him to have something he will WANT to consume. He is strong and fast but needs a bit more mass, particularly for the contact sports.

[anonymous-user]

So said:

Roman Rhodes said:

There's always a nutter!

When you say after fixtures/training - how long after? Exercise tends to dim appetite as the body has switched to 'sports mode' rather than 'feed/eat mode' (no these aren't scientific terms!). It may just be that you need to leave it for an hour so that genuine hunger kicks in. 10 years old is too young to be thinking about what you 'ought' to eat, it will be about what you 'want' to eat.

Within an hour, but you are agreeing with me. We want him to have something he will WANT to consume. He is strong and fast but needs a bit more mass, particularly for the contact sports.

Yes, I am agreeing, the nutter was the chap suggesting discipline was the way to get a 10 year old to eat. I'd suggest that is very bad parenting and likely to cause deep seated issues with food.

I think there's been some good suggestions - you may have already tried some. If not, maybe try a few and let us know how you get on.

[rsbmw]

So said:

We did used to beat him if he didn’t eat, but when we weren’t at the fixtures it was becoming increasingly difficult to find someone prepared to beat him by proxy. Then social services became involved and everything became messy.

We do still use corporal punishment with his reading exercises. We believe that reading and comprehension standards are too low in this country, particularly on the Internet.

Edited by So on Sunday 24th February 10:24

The beatings will continue until morale improves.

[So]

Roman Rhodes said:

So said:

Roman Rhodes said:

There's always a nutter!

When you say after fixtures/training - how long after? Exercise tends to dim appetite as the body has switched to 'sports mode' rather than 'feed/eat mode' (no these aren't scientific terms!). It may just be that you need to leave it for an hour so that genuine hunger kicks in. 10 years old is too young to be thinking about what you 'ought' to eat, it will be about what you 'want' to eat.

Within an hour, but you are agreeing with me. We want him to have something he will WANT to consume. He is strong and fast but needs a bit more mass, particularly for the contact sports.

Yes, I am agreeing, the nutter was the chap suggesting discipline was the way to get a 10 year old to eat. I'd suggest that is very bad parenting and likely to cause deep seated issues with food.

I think there's been some good suggestions - you may have already tried some. If not, maybe try a few and let us know how you get on.

We are just back from football and I made him a protein shake with pea protein, a small scoop of ice cream, milk and Cadbury's hot chocolate. A banana on the side. He finished it all. However, it was a faff and not something he could or would do for himself. The hunt is on for a pre-packaged chocolate nutrition drink that isn't too full of crap.

[So]

I keep getting this in my mind. But I can't can I?

[anonymous-user]

So said:

I keep getting this in my mind. But I can't can I?

Used to be big with heroin addicts etc. Very, very sweet (think condensed milk) but quite digestible for people that struggled looking after themselves.

Wouldn’t your homemade recipe last in the fridge for a day? Make in advance and all that...

[V8covin]

Blend a banana and some eggs ,pour into a large frying pan with olive oil in and make some really tasty and healthy pancakes.

https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-2-ingredient...

[LiamD]

ambuletz said:

take him to KFC or McDonalds afterwards? not a single child would say no to that.

Why was this suggestion missed? Eating after exercise is obviously important, as you suggest, what you eat is less important, well according to proffesional footballer Peter Crouch. Listen to his podcast or audio book and you’ll hear of footballer scoffing pizza and burgers straight after a game as just refuelling your body is the most important thing