16 year old and protein powder?

you need protein (milk, meats, etc.) but she definitely doesn't NEED the protein powder. If your friends daughter just wants to be healthy, simply working out and eating right should do the trick, especially since she is still very young

The 16 year old is still growing and protein powder is really just a supplement to aid people trying to build muscle to obtain higher protein amounts. I would not give it to my 16 year old.

I am not seeing an issue with her supplementing (or even adding) a meal with a protein shake. I would rather see her encouraged to drink that than to be encouraged to not eat at all like TV and Magazines like to tell teenagers.

It is when someone is encouraging a teenager to use Creatine (many coaches try to get their athletes to take it) that I believe a parent should worry.

I'm posting this on behalf of a co-worker that asked this question on Facebook this morning. Here is her exact post:

"Who can tell me about protein powder? Is it valid and/or necessary for a 16 year old? My daughter has done a couple of training sessions at X-Sport--which I haven't liked in the past because of the company's hard-sell approach--and the trainer is pushing protein powder on her as necessary to make her workouts effective. Thoughts?"

Note that this is a non-athletic 16 year old that is just trying to be healthy, not get super muscular or become a pro athlete or anything.

Does anyone have any useful tidbits for my friend?

Protein is a building block for any diet, if her diet is deficient of protein then by all means intake some form of it. Secondly your friend is getting way too carried away, it's not like he told her to take steroids....geesh

The 16 year old is still growing and protein powder is really just a supplement to aid people trying to build muscle to obtain higher protein amounts. I would not give it to my 16 year old.

You would feed them steak and eggs right? that is protien in the raw form. Its not going to hurt but IMO other supplments arent good for someone that is still growing.

We can actually use almost 86% of the protien that comes from eggs that is the highest out of anything you will eat.

The protein part of the supplement I wouldn't be worried about but choosing one without a lot of additives would concern me. I have a DD who has been doing P90X with me since February. When she started she was 16 and is now 17. She is working very hard, lifting weights, doing squats, pushups, pull ups, etc. and trying to build strength. She also is a somewhat picky eater and doesn't get the amount of protein she needs from food (girl won't touch an egg unless it's baked into something!) So we do allow her to use a protein powder but it's as clean as I can get it. It's a whey protein powder that is low carb and sweetened with Stevia instead of the artificial sweeteners. It also has very minimal amounts of stuff added to it.

Whether your friend's daughter uses protein powder or not I would be concerned about high pressure sales to a 16 year old. And like i said, I'd carefully check the ingredients in anything they suggested to make sure they weren't full of undesirable ingredients. Of course I'd probably be in there introducing myself to the trainer and making sure he knew I was who he had to convince if he wants my kid to take anything.

A whey protein shake pre and post workout should help. If you're concerned about safety, avoid any that contain supplements. To be even safer, have her drinking skim milk. Most of the reason for protein shakes is because it stores better than milk and has less carbs.

Abundant research has shown that protein nutrition timed to coincide with exercise, increases fitness gains all around. She's also extremely unlikely to get East German powerlifter huge, even with years of heavy weights.

I'm posting this on behalf of a co-worker that asked this question on Facebook this morning. Here is her exact post:

"Who can tell me about protein powder? Is it valid and/or necessary for a 16 year old? My daughter has done a couple of training sessions at X-Sport--which I haven't liked in the past because of the company's hard-sell approach--and the trainer is pushing protein powder on her as necessary to make her workouts effective. Thoughts?"

Note that this is a non-athletic 16 year old that is just trying to be healthy, not get super muscular or become a pro athlete or anything.

Does anyone have any useful tidbits for my friend?

Who's her trainer at X-Sport and which location does she go to?

I train at X-Sport and never once has my trainer tried to sell me supplements or push protein powder on me. Mainly because he knows thats goals don't need any type of crazy supplement. Did your friends daughter say something during the consolation that would make them think that she needed that?

I'd tell your friend to get her daughter a different trainer and if you want the name of two good trainers at X-Sport please message me.

personally all kids are different and I would not do it unless her doctor approved it ( that is just me though) any type of supplements has effects pros and cons and wouldnt without a dr saying ok at that age

i think not.

protein powder is full of unnatural things i believe a 16 year old doesnt need. just my opinion.

This is SO not true. Quality protein powder is just that...pure protein. Just like all other foods, vitamins and supplements, there are crappy ones and great ones.

That said, I would prefer if children got all their nutrients from quality foods.

Really, read this. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2010/july/food/protein-drinks/what-our-tests-found/index.htm
They are not all created equal. A young adult that is still growing and forming habits needs to learn to eat properly. If she doesn't like eggs, she can eat lean meats, Milk, Yogurt, Chocolate Milk is a great post workout drink and better than just any old arsenic filled protein. Teach them good eating habits. My 11 yrs old orders grilled chicken and steamed broccoli most times when we go out to eat.
Personally I only use Optimum Nutriton Protein Powders...sure it's more expensive but I don't have to worry if it's clean.
Also, keep in mind that the Supplement Industry is not regulated. They can put and say whatever they want on the package.
Do your research before giving your kids anything.

There are some excellent books on the market by Anita Bean who writes about Sport's Nutrition for Children (under 18's). It is very important that children are given the right nutrition before and after exercise in order to repair their muscles and fuel their cells. It is equally important that children do age appropriate exercises.

Both of my children are National level swimmer's, my son trains 6 days a week in the pool and also does land training every second day. I have found that a simple food such as yoghurt or Sustagen/Milo in full cream milk to be an excellent source of protein after a training session.

Try to get your friend to do some homework on the Internet before purchasing any costly supplements. I also suggest you stay well away from Creatine as this is not suitable for growing bodies.

Good Luck :smooched: