What are the best protein shakes for picky eaters?
In the article below, I talk about the best protein shakes for picky eaters. Continue reading to learn how to boost your protein intake if you are a picky eater. This article was written by Jack Schrupp.
What is a picky eater?
A picky eater is a kid (or sometimes an adult) who refuses to eat certain foods or groups of foods. Parents of picky eaters often worry their children are not getting the calories and nutrients they need to grow and develop, but research suggests that this is usually not the case. Picky eating can lead to malnutrition in some cases, however, which is not something to be taken lightly. If you are concerned that your child is suffering from malnutrition I recommend that you consult a pediatrician.
It is worth mentioning that although picky eating is most common in young children, it also affects adults. The elderly are partially susceptible to increased picky eating or food selectivity, which research correlates with an increased risk for malnutrition. If you are a parent, caregiver, or a picky eater yourself, adding a protein shake to the menu might be a great idea.
If you are just looking for an easy way to add protein to a picky eater’s diet, however, then a protein shake is a great place to start. Protein is found in every cell of the body, serving as one of the building blocks of muscles, skin, and bones. It is also a key component of antibodies that protect the body against illness. Needless to say, eating enough protein is essential for everyone.
Are protein shakes good for picky eaters?
Daily oral nutritional supplements like protein shakes can promote catch-up growth in young picky eaters. They should not replace other dietary protein sources, however. Whenever possible, picky eaters should try to get their daily protein intake from dairy, eggs, fish, legumes, meat, nuts, and seeds. Protein shakes should only fill in nutritional gaps.
When prepared well, protein shakes are convenient, nutritious, and delicious. They can be made and take on-the-go, contains 15-30 grams of protein, have a creamy texture that most people love. They are also highly customizable, meaning you can easily adjust the flavor and consistency to suit your preferences, or those of whomever you are cooking for. If you like to make protein shakes with protein powder, keep in mind that protein powder can also be added to smoothies, oatmeal, and other recipes for an easy protein boost. This versatility can come in handy when cooking for a picky eater.
In short, protein shakes can offer an easy way for picky eaters to supplement their diet with nutrients they may be missing. That said, not all protein shakes are created equal.
Most protein powders are made with ingredients that can cause painful side effects and long term health problems. Among these ingredients are food additives, dairy-based proteins, and protein concentrates and isolates.
Avoid food additives
Regularly eating food additives like emulsifiers, thickeners, sugar substitutes, and flavorings can not only upset your stomach (more about this later), but also alter the composition and function of his or her gut microbiome – the collection of microorganisms living in your gut. This can lead to gut dysbiosis, or an imbalance in your gut microbiota. Gut dysbiosis during childhood and adolescence can persist through adulthood, where it becomes a leading driver of inflammation and contributes to wide range of chronic diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), allergies, type 1 diabetes, autism, obesity, and colorectal cancer.
Avoid dairy-based proteins
Dairy-based proteins like whey and casein, although not an issue for everyone, can cause side effects like bloating and diarrhea. This is in part because they contain lactose, a sugar most people cannot fully digest. It is also likely related to the amount of processing required to make them. Continue reading to learn more.
Avoid protein concentrates and isolates
Most protein powders, including all whey and pea protein powders, are made from protein concentrates and isolates. Basically, protein sources like whey and peas do not contain enough protein by weight to be used as a protein supplement, and must be mechanically and/or chemically stripped of everything but the protein, including the enzymes, fiber, and other natural digestive aids that help you break them down. This not only makes them hard to digest, but may also affect your gut microbiome.
This is all to say that although protein powder can be a helpful addition to a picky eaters diet, it is important to choose wisely. Many protein powders can do more harm than good, especially if they are consumed regularly.
What are the best meal protein shakes for picky eaters?
If you are shopping and cooking for a picky eater, you are also going to need to find a protein shake that tastes good. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done.
Many protein shakes have a chalky aftertaste because they are made with protein concentrates and isolates, foods stripped of everything but the protein. Eating a protein concentrate or isolate is liking taking a multivitamin instead of eating fruits and veggies, and explains why adding protein powder to your smoothie makes it taste like sawdust.
Many protein shakes also have a bitter aftertaste because they are sweetened with artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohol, or stevia. Unlike sugar, sugar substitutes like these activate bitter taste receptors in addition to sweet taste receptors. This is one of the main reasons why people do not like protein shakes.
Instead of using protein concentrates and isolates, we make protein supplements with whole foods collagen, egg whites. and almonds. Protein sources like these are not chalky at all. Moreover, instead of using artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols, or stevia, we use monk fruit. Monk fruit, also known as luo han guo, is a melon-like fruit native to Southeast Asia. It is not only the most natural sugar substitute on the planet, but it is also the most delicious; unlike other sugar substitutes, it actually tastes like sugar.
The best part about our protein supplements, however, it how good they are for you. Unlike other companies, we use a short list of simple ingredients. Keep reading to learn more.
drink wholesome makes the best protein shakes for picky eaters
drink wholesome is additive-free
One of the reasons why we make the best protein shakes for picky eaters is that we do not use any food additives whatsoever. As you just learned, additives can cause painful side effects and long-term health problems, even in small amounts. Here is a list of the most common food additives in protein powders:
acacia fiber, acacia gum, acesulfame potassium, artificial flavors, ascorbic acid, aspartame, calcium carbonate, carrageenan, cellulose gum, dextrin, dicalcium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, erythritol, gellan gum, guar gum, gum arabic, inulin, locust bean gum, maltodextrin, mono- and diglycerides, ‘natural’ flavors, rice bran extract, rice dextrin, rice hulls, rosemary extract, silica, silicon dioxide, sodium alginate, sodium bicarbonate, soluble corn fiber, soy lecithin, sucralose, sunflower lecithin, tocopherols, tricalcium phosphate, xanthan gum, xylitol, zinc oxide
the alternative: Protein Matrix Comprised of (Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Isolate, Calcium Caseinate, Micellar Casein, Milk Protein Isolate, Egg Albumen, Glutamine Peptides), Polydextrose, Sunflower Creamer (Sunflower Oil, Corn Syrup Solids, Sodium Caseinate, Mono- and Diglycerides, Dipotassium Phosphate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Soy Lecithin, Tocopherols), Natural and Artificial Flavor, MCT Powder (Medium Chain Triglycerides, Nonfat Dry Milk, Disodium Phosphate, Silicon Dioxide), Lecithin, Cellulose Gum, Salt, Yellow 5, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Papain, Bromelain
Another reason why we make the best protein powder for picky eaters is that we do not use dairy-based proteins like whey and casein. Whey and casein, which are byproducts of cheese and yogurt production, cause digestive issues because they contain lactose – a sugar most people cannot fully digest. A final reason why we make the best protein shakes for picky eaters is that we do not use protein concentrates or isolates. Nearly all other protein powders are made from one or both of these protein sources, which look nothing like real food. Instead of protein concentrates or isolates, we make the best protein powder for picky eaters with whole foods like collagen, egg whites, and almonds. Protein sources like these are easy to digest and absorb. They also each bring a unique set of digestive benefits to the table. Collagen can reduce bloating and improve digestive symptoms. Almonds are rich in prebiotic fiber and improve the composition of your gut microbiome. Egg whites are alkaline, meaning they balance the pH levels in your gut, and promote the growth of good gut bacteria. Our customers experience fewer digestive issues with our protein powders than with any other type of protein supplement. Order samples to see for yourself. “My kids absolutely love drink wholesome!!! It’s a super easy way to get them a healthy meal before school, and they rave about how good it tastes.” – Alie This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. drink wholesome is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
drink wholesome is dairy-free
drink wholesome is made with real foods
