Protein Powder for Teens?

[mel]

DS2 was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes almost 2 years ago, 2 months shy of his 13th birthday. Prior to his diagnosis, he lost 20 pounds, most of which was muscle mass since he was always a thin kid and in the lower percentile for weight. We've spent the last 18+ months getting him back up to "normal" weight and really learning how to manage his diabetes. He is currently 5'5.5" and weighs 107 pounds (which is still underweight, but we're trying).

He is now a freshman and made the JV baseball team. They have been doing weight training for the last 2.5 months and will continue throughout the season. He has been speaking with the trainer and working with him one on one before school (in addition to the team training). His trainer mentioned something about doing some protein shakes to help him retain some of the muscle he's trying to build. DS already drinks diabetic-friendly protein shakes daily because it helps him maintain his glucose throughout the day, but I am leaning towards him supplementing with some more muscle building protein shakes as well.

He will be 15 in July. Does anyone have any recommendations for protein powders? We're not trying to get him to be the next Arnold Schwarzenegger, but he could use something to help him retain muscle since his body attacks that in lieu of fat.

[eb777888]

David uses this one:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GISU1M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

He used another one before this, I forget, I think he said it was a little healthier but it was so expensive and he was going through it so fast, we had to compromise on this one. He's obsessed with protein right now. He mixes it in double protein greek yogurt and adds Kind granola (the kind with 10 grams of protein, of course!) as a meal. He's also put our waffle maker to use making protein waffles that are actually really healthy and DELICIOUS. They are amazing. I'm pretty amazed by all the ways he's figured out how to use it.

[lavenderblue]

Are you looking for powder or ready to drink? My kids both workout a good bit, lifting weights at the gym. I buy the ready to drink Premier Protein Shakes and they really like them. They are I think 30g protein and only 1g of sugar.

[meanie]

No suggestions on the powder, there are so many out there! Is he taking any enzyme supplements to help him absorb protein better? When trying to target one nutrient it is more effective to pair it with whatever our bodies naturally use to digest and absorb it - like iron/vitamin or calcium/magnesium

[mel]

Jan 31, 2024 13:10:54 GMT -5 lavenderblue said:

Are you looking for powder or ready to drink? My kids both workout a good bit, lifting weights at the gym. I buy the ready to drink Premier Protein Shakes and they really like them. They are I think 30g protein and only 1g of sugar.

Right now, powder. He wants to try different shakes and like eb777888, he wants to sprinkle it in other things from time to time. The diabetic-friendly shakes he has are ready made.

[mel]

Jan 31, 2024 13:11:09 GMT -5 meanie said:

No suggestions on the powder, there are so many out there! Is he taking any enzyme supplements to help him absorb protein better? When trying to target one nutrient it is more effective to pair it with whatever our bodies naturally use to digest and absorb it - like iron/vitamin or calcium/magnesium

He only takes a multi-vitamin right now. His endocrinologist wanted us to work on gaining weight back before we start addition other supplements. It's worth mentioning at his next appointment, though!

[eb777888]

I asked David for the recipe because this is the most tasty thing he's made from protein powder. Seems like a healthy weight gain meal!

Protein Waffles
◦ 3/4 cup rolled oats
◦ 1/2 cup greek yogurt
◦ 2 eggs
◦ 1/2 tsp baking soda
◦ 1/2 tsp baking powder
◦ 1/2 tsp cinnamon
◦ 1/4 cup (almond) milk
◦ 1 and 1/2 scoop of protein powder
Put all ingredients in a blender and let it blend until smooth. Pour in waffle iron for four minutes. Makes two large waffles.

[mel]

Jan 31, 2024 13:36:13 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

I asked David for the recipe because this is the most tasty thing he's made from protein powder. Seems like a healthy weight gain meal!

Protein Waffles
◦ 3/4 cup rolled oats
◦ 1/2 cup greek yogurt
◦ 2 eggs
◦ 1/2 tsp baking soda
◦ 1/2 tsp baking powder
◦ 1/2 tsp cinnamon
◦ 1/4 cup (almond) milk
◦ 1 and 1/2 scoop of protein powder
Put all ingredients in a blender and let it blend until smooth. Pour in waffle iron for four minutes. Makes two large waffles.

Thank you (and David!!) SO MUCH. He'll love these!

[1confused1]

If you are open to it, Creatine is safe and effective for gaining muscle mass. There is a ton of research out there, if you want to look for yourself.

[buckeyegirl]

I drink the Optimum Nutrition brand. I get it at Costco which is cheapest place I have found it. Last week when I was there they had a coupon for $15 off. I bought 3 bags. I have given it to my children with no issue.

[chilerellanos]

Jan 31, 2024 13:54:14 GMT -5 1confused1 said:

If you are open to it, Creatine is safe and effective for gaining muscle mass. There is a ton of research out there, if you want to look for yourself.

I would check with his doc before adding in a ton more protein and supplements, just to make sure his kidneys can handle all this with him being a diabetic

[namasteak]

My boys like orgain.

[jewel]

I use orgain vanilla from Costco and add it into all kinds of baked goods - muffins, pancakes, waffles, etc.

If I’m just drinking it, I really prefer Premier Protein ready to drink. No matter what I do, I can’t get the powder to mix into liquid enough. Not necessarily a recommendation for your kid, but I use half a premier protein in my coffee every morning as a sun for creamer and it’s excellent.

[mokes]

Not teen-specific but I love using collagen as my protein powder as it's largely flavorless and can be added to many things. (I cannot taste it in 95% of things, but there are a few things I can.)

There are many brands out there but I use Bowmar Nutrition, which has 1 ingredient -- collagen. I used Vital Proteins previously, and many people rave about it. It made my skin break out; that's why I switched.

[fluffycookie]

Could he do premier protein shakes or Fairlife nutrition? I have tried a bunch of powders and I have never found one that doesn't have a gritty texture in smoothies.

[mel]

Jan 31, 2024 17:33:42 GMT -5 fluffycookie said:

Could he do premier protein shakes or Fairlife nutrition? I have tried a bunch of powders and I have never found one that doesn't have a gritty texture in smoothies.

He already drinks the Boost Glucose Control protein shakes. We were looking for a powder so he could do smoothies and/or add it to other things like greek yogurt, baked goods, etc.

[gottadobe]

If he wants flexibility with a powder, I would recommend an unflavored powder he can add his own flavoring to, i.e. cocoa powder, liquid vanilla, or extract drops for lemon, almond, peppermint, etc

I also don't like super "frothy" protein shakes, and this one wasn't. It was just like drinking milk.  Easy to blend.


Unflavored Whey Protein

[namasteak]

Jan 31, 2024 17:33:42 GMT -5 fluffycookie said:

Could he do premier protein shakes or Fairlife nutrition? I have tried a bunch of powders and I have never found one that doesn't have a gritty texture in smoothies.

I love the fair life shakes! Too expensive for me to let the kids have them everyday but I really enjoy them.

[namasteak]

You can use the regular fairlife milk &/or blended cottage cheese for sneaky extra protein to a lot of recipes.

[mel]

Feb 1, 2024 10:29:01 GMT -5 namasteak said:

You can use the regular fairlife milk &/or blended cottage cheese for sneaky extra protein to a lot of recipes.

Luckily he's not super picky with food. He LOVES cottage cheese (we go through 2 tubs a week on average), eat eggs like it's going out of style (cooked all sorts of ways), LOVES chicken and will add grilled chicken to salads about 3-4 times a week, devours greek yogurt, etc.


I didn't realize how sick he was prior to his diagnosis and how his body turned on itself so badly. I feel like we've tried all the things to get him to gain some weight and muscle back, but we're in a slow-going process.

[namasteak]

mel You're a great mom. Sometimes illness is sneaky and we don't know until something else happens.

[sugarbear1]

My kids and I all hate protein powder. I lift a lot and base all meals and snacks on protein. When we are in a hurry, I reply on Core Power and Fairlife. These have been lifesavers for my boys and me.

Expensive, but worth it in several ways.