Protein bars have become a healthy snack for many age groups. They come in many flavors and have become soft enough to chew. There are several advantages of protein bars; they help in weight management, before and after workouts as they provide a good combination of proteins and carbs and also help to maintain a healthy balanced diet.

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Are these protein bars good for kids?

Children generally do not need too much protein. A daily intake of 34 grams for 13-year olds and 46-52 grams for 14-year olds is the right amount of protein needed. A planned diet of carbs, milk products, and legumes can help them achieve this protein quantity. Protein powders usually provide around 80 grams of proteins per serve, which is quite a lot for children.

What parents should know before wanting to serve protein bars to kids

Even if a 14-year old wants to develop muscles – an extra dose of two eggs or yogurt can provide 10-14 grams of required protein . Many protein bars have hydrogenated oils, too much protein, and sugar to make them tastier.

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Here are some tips while buying the ideal protein bars for children:

• There should be just one main protein source. For instance, pea protein powder should contain the only pea as the main ingredient and should not be adding other things such as extra vitamins or probiotics.
• There should be no sugar or other sweeteners.
• Heavy metals and toxins should not be present.
• The label should hold a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) label signifying that the powder was manufactured using the best manufacturing practices.

Do not take powders written “energy” powder as they might contain caffeine as part of the ingredients.

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Homemade protein bars

Now let us look at a few homemade protein bars ideal for children.

• Peanut butter granola bars: Mix bananas, peanut butter, maple syrup, milk, and oats and bake them to make the peanut butter granola bars.
• Pecan pie larabars: Mix oats, pumpkin, applesauce, maple syrup and whole spices and bake them to make the pecan pie larabars.
• Nut-free snack bars: Mix brown rice puffed cereal, sunflower seeds, dates, some spices, vanilla, and dried apples and bake them to make the nut-free snack bars.

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