Is Your Child Getting Enough Protein? Common Deficiency Signs to Look for and the Best Ways to Fix It

Protein, known as the building block of the body, is essential during childhood to support immunity, bone health, muscle development and tissue repair. Moreover, it is present throughout the body and it plays a direct or indirect role in many bodily functions. When the body doesn’t receive enough of it, protein deficiency in children may occur.

Identifying and addressing protein deficiency symptoms early is key to making sure that your child remains healthy. So, how can you tell if your child is getting enough protein, and what can you do if they’re not? Let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

• What is Protein Deficiency?
• Common Signs and Symptoms of Protein Deficiency in Children
• Causes of Protein Deficiency in Children
• Best Ways to Fix Protein Deficiency
• Prevention Tips for Parents
• Conclusion
• FAQs

What is Protein Deficiency?

Understanding Protein Deficiency in Children

Protein deficiency occurs when the body doesn’t get enough protein or lacks good quality protein to support normal growth and bodily functions.

Protein is not only vital for adults to develop muscles, but it is also crucial for children during their growth years. Kids are advised to consume 1 gram of protein per kg of their body weight¹. However, unfortunately this remains unmatched for most children.

By understanding what is protein deficiency and identifying the protein deficiency symptoms parents can make sure their kids grow up healthily.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Protein Deficiency in Children

How to Spot the Signs and Symptoms of Protein Deficiency

It’s essential for parents to identify the early signs of protein deficiency and look for cures for these signs. Some common symptoms include²:

• Lethargy: Protein provides energy to kids. However, a lack of adequate levels of protein may cause fatigue, lethargy and weakness.
• Skin and hair issues: Protein makes up for hair and skin tissues. A deficiency of protein can cause skin problems like rashes and dryness and thinning and drying of hair.
• Behaviour changes: Kids with a protein deficiency may experience irritability, dryness and emotional problems.
• Slow growth: Protein deficiency can impact and slow down physical and cognitive development.

If you notice these protein deficiency symptoms in your child, it’s time to re-evaluate their diet and incorporate protein rich foods.

Causes of Protein Deficiency in Children

Why Does Protein Deficiency Happen?

There are several factors that contribute to protein deficiency in children. These are:

• Cereal based diet: One of the major deficiency of protein causes is cereal based diet. Kids who follow a cereal based diet and depend on plant based protein sources may not receive enough protein.
• Picky Eating Habits: Many children are averse of certain types of food. This can be a deficiency of protein cause as without these protein rich foods, kids may end up developing a protein deficiency.
• Medical Conditions: Issues like malabsorption or chronic illness can reduce protein absorption.

Best Ways to Fix Protein Deficiency

How to Help Your Child Get Enough Protein

Addressing protein deficiency requires incorporating protein-rich foods into your child’s daily meals. Here are some effective solutions:

• Add High-Protein Foods: Include foods like eggs, milk, chicken, fish, lentils, and beans in their daily meals.
• Complement protein sources: Offer kids cereal based protein with pulses and dairy protein sources like tofu, quinoa, and chickpeas.
• Encourage Healthy Snacks: Choose protein rich snacks like yogurt, nuts, chickpea salads etc. for snack times.
• Complement with Complan: Complan is a nutritional drink with 63% more protein. Add this to the kid’s balanced diet to make sure they receive a good amount of protein as well as other vital nutrients.

Prevention Tips for Parents

Simple Steps to Prevent Protein Deficiency

Some simple steps can help parents in preventing protein deficiency in children. These strategies are:

• Pre-plan Meals: Plan meals for kids in such a way that you can track and make sure they receive enough protein in their daily diet.
• Monitor the Protein Intake: Understand how much protein is required for kids and track the values they get in everyday meals.
• Plan Balanced Meals: Create meals which contain all essential nutrients along with protein, like carbohydrates, healthy fats, as well as vitamins and minerals.
• Educate Your Child: Teach your kids about the importance of eating balanced meals with sufficient protein. Additionally, tell them about the protein rich foods so that they can also try making conscious food choices to maintain their health.

Conclusion

Protein is a vital nutrient that supports your child’s overall development. Identifying and addressing signs of protein deficiency early can prevent long-term health issues in kids.

By adding protein-rich foods and trusted nutritional drinks like Complan with 63% more protein to their diet, you can make sure that your child gets the nutrition they need for healthy growth and development.

FAQs

1. What are the long-term effects of protein deficiency in children?

Some long term effects of protein deficiency in children are slowed growth, lack of energy, loss of muscle mass, weakened immune system etc.

2. How much protein does my child need daily?

The protein requirement varies by age, height, gender and lifestyle. Generally, children should consume 0.9 gram of protein per kg of their weight.

3. Can my vegetarian child get enough protein³?

Yes, plant-based sources like tofu, lentils, chickpeas, complementing cereal protein with dairy protein and fortified drinks like Complan with 63% more protein are excellent options to fulfill their daily protein levels.

4. Are protein supplements safe for kids?

Yes, protein supplements which are designed specially for kids, are safe for them until they are used as directed.

5. What is the best source of protein for children?

Eggs, dairy, lean meats, legumes, and nutrient-rich drinks like Complan are some of the best sources.

Sources:

¹https://www.nin.res.in/rdabook/brief_note.pdf

²https://www.careinsurance.com/blog/health-insurance-articles/how-does-protein-deficiency-affect-children#:~:text=A%20major%20reason%20for%20this,22%20grams%20of%20protein%20daily.

³https://www.nin.res.in/rdabook/brief_note.pdf