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AIBU?

To give dd protein powder - anyone know anything about these?

18 replies

Slitherout · 18/03/2018 16:49

DD (13yo) has struggled with eating a good diet since she was about 4 and sensory issues started becoming very apparent. We've taught her about healthy diets, spoken to her about the effect of not eating a balance diet, tried to expand her range of foods, seen a dietician etc over the years but although she's tried to improve her diet she still ends up eating a very carb heavy diet and some fruit/veg but relatively little protein. She's not got any eating disorders as far as we know, just naturally has a very selective diet.

I know she's fast coming to the age that she'll decide what junk to eat anyway but I'm concerned she's not building muscle properly and would like to give her body a boost before she's an adult. Would protein powder be a stopgap solution to give her a protein boost? DD doesn't have any interest in the gym or anything so it's not likely to lead to trying to take too much and an obsession with building muscle as far as I can see. DD does exercise, as in walks a lot, does PE at school, does the odd bit of sport if the urge grabs her so there'd be opportunity to build muscle, I'm not expecting the protein powder to do it all while she watches TV, but she gets tired after a fair but not unreasonable bit of exercise so thinking more protein is needed to help give her more strength?

I have googled but found very conflicting advice so trying to see if anyone's got any experience on here. And I'm not talking about giving it to her as in not consulting her, just trying to find out if it's a good idea or not before discussing it with her.

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Yarboosucks · 18/03/2018 17:01

There was an interesting programme on R4 a while ago about the hype surrounding protein supplements and what a waste of money they are.
I tried to find it but cannot. However, apart from that I do not think that supplements send out the right message. To be healthy, you need to have a balanced diet, not take powder replacements. In any case, I would not take any such action without talking to a doctor first.

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Esspee · 18/03/2018 17:09

Please see a doctor. Advice on here will be conflicting.

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NotMoreSnow · 18/03/2018 17:10

I also think you should get expert advice, but gp may not be an expert on this, you may need a specialist? Is her gp also concerned about your DD being undernourished, so might refer you?

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araiwa · 18/03/2018 17:11

What does the dietician suggest?

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jaseyraex · 18/03/2018 17:15

I think you'd be better discussing with GP or dietitian. When my little sister was having chemo (she was 7 and then again when she was 11) we were advised to give her protein shakes to keep her energised. So I can't imagine it would do any harm to give your DD some, but definitely speak to someone first.

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Glumglowworm · 18/03/2018 17:16

I would be seeking expert advice from a dietician tbh

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Slitherout · 18/03/2018 17:20

Thanks - haven't seen the GP with her in a good couple of years at least and dietician was a few years ago so will have to book a GP appt to discuss again.

When dd did see the GP they were happy to refer to dietician but not that concerned, thought she'd grow out of the eating habits and she was just on the right side of underweight so they thought she'd fill out later. The dietician wasn't much good tbh, only focused on what sort of things to eat, eg blitzing lentils in sauces when dd won't eat sauces, blitzing things to hide in pizza sauce when that would make dd not eat it as it would 'taste weird', and didn't seem to appreciate dd either wouldn't eat them or would only eat a small portion.

DD has grown up but not out particularly so will go back to GP, just a little worried about making it into a 'thing' and tempting an eating disorder iyswim but I might be worrying too much about that. Thought the protein powder could be a short term supplement, as dd knows she doesn't eat enough protein, rather than a quick fix or give her the idea it's ok to eat badly and supplement.

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Knittedfairies · 18/03/2018 17:20

I don't think many of us are qualified to give advice OP; please speak to an expert.

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Slitherout · 18/03/2018 17:24

Yes, will do, just wondering whether anyone on here had any experience in a similar situation.

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NonnieMouse · 18/03/2018 17:31

Protein powder cannot in and of itself build muscle, only heavy weight lifting exercise over a period of many months does that, and nor can it provide an 'energy boost' over and above calories from any other source, so forget those angles. Lots of carb heavy foods food contain sufficient protein and particularly bread, some cereals, meat pizza, macaroni cheese for example. She only really needs around 45-50g protein a day tops and I'd be willing to bet that she gets that if you record her diet very carefully.

You won't do any harm with a powder supplement but you need to understand what it will and won't do, and that its nutritional value is limited to calories and protein only - none are fortified with vitamins/minerals.

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boxthefox · 18/03/2018 17:33

Natural Greek Yogurt is protein rich, easy to eat and digest and can be jazzed up with pureed fruit etc. I have a crap appetitite too and find them a godsend. Keep me going for hours.

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NonnieMouse · 18/03/2018 17:34

The other pertinent issue is that protein satiates appetite very effectively - and with the potential for disordered eating that may not be a good idea.

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Yarboosucks · 18/03/2018 17:35

OP - I have to ask (gently!!!) what is your relationship with food and exercise like?

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YellowFlipFlops · 18/03/2018 17:38

I think the recent protein hype has made us all believe we need more than we really do (I'm not qualified in nutrition or anything).

I started making a note of how much protein my 3yo is having (very different from a 13yo, I know) and realised he's actually having far more than he really needs.

Are you sure your dd isn't getting enough? I don't think a protein shake would hurt, but lots of them aren't that nice so she might be reluctant to actually drink them!

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hazeyjane · 18/03/2018 17:39

I think you need to see a dietician who specialises in sensory difficulties and eating issues that are within a 'normal' parameter.

When my ds was first referred for his restricted diet, we first saw someone who recommended all the usual stuff about smoothies, hiding vegetables in sauces and eating as a family. All if this is fine, but not useful for ds, so she referred us on to the hospital dietetics service.

The dietician ds sees now, assessed what he was eating, worked out what he was lacking. She gave us some tweaks to his diet, some of which worked, some didn't.
She also prescribed supplements, in the form of vitamin and mineral powder.

Ds has growth issues (he has a genetic condition) and as his weight and height has faltered, she has prescribed fortified drinks and puddings. They are very high in calories and protein alongside vitamins and minerals - I wouldn't be happy to give them to ds without medical advice, and she only took this step when ds's growth seriously slowed.

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TreacleBoo · 18/03/2018 17:47

What is your DD actually eating each day (for an example)? I bet you she is taking in much more protein then you might first think. A lot of people are still under the thought that only meat = protein. Peanut butter on toast, for example, is protein rich

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JoJoSM2 · 18/03/2018 18:16

I wouldn't be encouraging supplements or making her diet weirder- just try to work with normal food she's ok with.

Its not actually difficult to get enough protein from a seemingly carby diet if you just tweak a few things. I'm vegetarian, currently pregnant which is making me a real pain with food but I'm definitely very strong and muscly (used to be a competitive weight lifter even).

For example, my breakfast is often porridge made with oats with milled nuts and skimmed milk - largish portion contains 25g of protein. Things like Vogels soya and linseed bread is 5g of protein in a small slice. There are also some high-protein dairy options, e.g. cottage cheese at 20% or Greek yoghurt at 10%. Between all that and a little beans, eggs, peanut butter or a bit of meat here and there, your daughter will be just fine even with an active lifestyle. And actually, even protein from veg adds up quickly (3g in a portion of broccoli).

If she gets tired easily, you could see your GP in case she's a bit anemic. But I'd say that walking or PE at school doesn't make a kid fit... so I wouldn't expect her do run a few k or do a push up or anything with that amount of physical activity.

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MrsMcGarry · 18/03/2018 18:22

What makes you think her diet is lacking in protein. Is sheactually showing any symptoms of a pretien deficiency or do you just think she's ot eating enough of the "right" foods?

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