Is Whey Protein Bad for Children?

[ericabrooks]

I have a 19 month old daughter. When I make my shakes which include whey protein powder she usually wants some. I give her a sip every now and then, but I was wondering is that a bad thing to do? Could it hurt her?

[solstice]

I wouldn't think so with just a sip or two, but at that young I wouldn't make a meal in and of itself for her. I make smoothies out of it for my almost 3 and almost 4 year olds from time to time (sometimes it's the only way I can get any protein into them at ALL it seems *sigh* but it's the rare thing and never more than a serving a day) but I'd run it by your doc just in case. (There are alot of vitamins etc. that could be an issue for young children in there. Particularly if there is any vitamin A or iron in your powder.

[Amanda76]

I have a 19 month old daughter. When I make my shakes which include whey protein powder she usually wants some. I give her a sip every now and then, but I was wondering is that a bad thing to do? Could it hurt her?

Do you let her have candy every now and then? :D The only concern I'd have would be the artificial sweeteners in most protein supplements, but most kids eat nutrasweet and splenda all the time anymore, anyway.

[user23960508710783]

I have a 19 month old daughter. When I make my shakes which include whey protein powder she usually wants some. I give her a sip every now and then, but I was wondering is that a bad thing to do? Could it hurt her?

Not bad at all -- she gets some every time she eats yogurt :)

Just don't give her a whole shake because the artificial sweeteners are not good stuff for kids (in massive amounts).

[gfundaro]

UGH I try to tell my parents the sweeteners when they give my three year old brother an entire can of diet 7-Up to drink! They really give him a buttload of candy too, it's ridiculous.
So you can imagine that I giggled a little when I read this, because it's really nice to see a parent concerned about whey protein (which certainly isn't harmful) and in contrast, my parents dole out soda and candy like there's no tomorrow. You sound like very health-conscious, concerned and caring parents :)

[abeachparty]

I dunno ... Little Miss Muffet swore by it:

Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet,
Eating her curds and whey.