Parents think their children are not getting enough protein: Should they take protein supplements on their own?

According to data from a national survey by the University of Michigan Children’s Clinic, two in five parents say their teens have consumed protein supplements in the past year, with teenage boys more likely to consume supplements every day or most days than teenage girls.

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Of the 46 percent of teenagers who consumed protein supplements in the past year, more than half of their parents said it was to increase muscle mass. Of the 36 percent of teenage girls who consumed supplements, parents said their daughters used protein supplements more for weight loss or as a meal replacement when they were busy.

Almost one in five parents say their teenager doesn’t get enough protein.

“Marketing can lead people to believe that more protein means a product is healthier – but that’s not necessarily true,” says Dr Sara Clark, pediatrician.

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“Instead, parents and teens can look for a more balanced product that’s low in protein, along with other key nutrients and fiber — but with very little (or no) added sugar or caffeine,” advises the doctor.

The survey was conducted in August and 989 parents of teenagers aged 13 to 17 participated in it.

Parents think that their children do not get enough protein

Forty-four percent of parents said they or another family member encouraged their teen to take protein supplements, especially when the teen expressed an interest in getting fit, losing weight, looking attractive, improving athletic performance, or being healthy.

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But taking protein supplements may not solve these problems, Dr. Clark points out. Although protein is part of a healthy diet, intake should be considered based on the context of an individual’s overall diet.

Teens are rarely advised to take protein supplements, said Diana Schnee, a pediatric dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic for Children in Ohio who was not involved in the survey.

Teenage girls aged 14 to 18 usually need 46 grams per day, while boys of the same age need 52 grams per day, according to the recommended dosage of dietary supplements.

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Protein supplements can put the user at risk of consuming too much protein, which can cause dehydration and put pressure on the kidneys, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The US Food and Drug Administration does not evaluate protein powders before they go on the market, which means users could be exposed to other substances, such as stimulants, Sniova warns.

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The US Food and Drug Administration generally regulates dietary supplements as food, and the agency only has the authority to take action against a “falsified or misbranded dietary supplement product after it reaches the market.”

A balanced diet is a greater guarantee that a teenager will get the necessary amount of protein

If teenagers are getting protein in every meal of the day and in some snacks, then they are probably getting enough protein. Protein supplements are rarely justified and can only be recommended for certain teenagers who have a restricted diet, such as a vegetarian or vegan diet, adds the dietician.

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In such cases, the help of a nutritionist is advised, who should assess whether and how much protein should be added.

Nutrition and maintaining a balanced diet

One thing to remember about protein intake is that it’s more beneficial to consume protein throughout the day rather than all at once, emphasizes Dr. Clark.

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In a regular meal, people should consume an adequate amount of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fibers, vitamins, minerals and water. This can be achieved by choosing a variety of foods from the five main food groups, including fruits and vegetables, fiber and dairy products.

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There are nine essential amino acids that people should consume regularly throughout the day. All nine can be found in complete proteins, which are mostly of animal origin, and only a few are found in incomplete proteins, usually plant foods, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

But balanced meals are not enough to support a teenager’s body. Adequate sleep and hydration are also important to ensure that the body has enough time to recover, notes Diana Shni.