Protein shake for 2 y old??

[firstpregnancy1]

My son is almost 2.5 and I'm really struggling to get protein into him. Up until about 4-5 months ago he ate whatever you put infront of him, has always loved food and just ate whatever and so had a really well balanced diet.

Over the last 4-5 months roughly he has started to refuse eating meat. It started wjth him just leaving it on his plate and eating the other foods but over time it's progressed to him spitting it out and saying yuck. We've never 'over encouraged' or made a big deal out of it, I know a lot of advice re fussy eating is that focusing on the issue makes it worse. So for a long time we've just not really worried about it, let him choose what he wanted off the plate.

It's now however got to the point where I'm starting to get a bit worried about his protein intake! I've offered meat alternatives, quinoa type foods etc. He won't have it.

He will eat peanut butter and beans and those are currently making up the majority of his food intake!

We have a real mix of dinners, he's absolutely not a picky eater on the whole it just seems to possibly be texture related with meat?

If it's relevant he is as far as we know neurotypical and has always been roughly 50th centile height and weight .

So my question is would it be ok to give a small protein shake? I've never used protein shakes or meal replacement shakes so I have no idea if they would be somewhat harmful for a child in some way so please be kind in your responses if this is the case!

Any other suggestions welcome, I'm hoping it's just a phase and he grows out of it!

Does he eat eggs and cheese, drink milk?

Can you not make smooth sauces with lentils etc? Also eggs, peanut butter. Doesn't have to be meat.

You could just be encouraging the notion that he doesn't eat 'food' but can drink milkshakes instead. Lots of sources of protein. Make soups and blend them. Freeze in ice cube tray, give him a tiny bit at a time, 1 cube with little bits of cheese and the beans or peanut butter you know he likes and is used to. Might encourage variety.

Assuming you live in the UK I think it might be helpful to speak to your health visitor.
I think the protein obsession we have is partly due to the gym/ fitness culture.
The protein shakes could have a negative impact on his appetite and make his diet worse.
Most of them seem to be whey based so you could just give him milk. At his age I think it's all about trying foods and textures so try not to stress and maybe keep trying him with meat occasionally.
The peanut butter and beans are both good sources if protein so I wouldn't overly worry.

Vegetarians can easily consume enough protein through beans, cheese, eggs, lentils, tofu etc. That's going to be more nutritious than a protein shake.

Thanks everyone some brilliant suggestions, a smooth sauce with lentils and other beans might work as he loves pasta!

I forgot to add he doesn't like egg it's the one food he's never been keen on since we started weaning, again not sure if it's texture related!

He will drink a small glass of milk here and there and will eat cheese in small quantities.

Im probably over thinking it!

I do see the issue of thinking a meal could be replaced with a smoothy, my thinking was could he have one a few times a week in the same way you might give say an innocent smoothie drink or a homemade fruit smoothy, just a protein one instead! So as not to just give him a shake instead of a meal, but to know he's had a bit of protein a few times a week

I would just let him get protein from brand, peanut butter, milk, whatever he actually eats.

Personally I wouldn't give fruit smoothies either, they're full of sugar. I'd just offer normal fruit.

I found this fact sheet really helpful.

www.srnutrition.co.uk/2021/09/how-much-protein-does-my-toddler-need/

He's most likely getting enough protein from what he's already eating, I wouldn't introduce protein shakes at 2.5

Mumsnet seems to be obsessed with protein and getting some at every meal. The reality is that we don't need nearly as much as some people would have you believe and the majority of us get plenty of protein. If he eats peanut butter, yogurt, cheese, beans, drinks mil etc he is likely getting enough already. I really wouldn't be messing about with protein shakes for a 2 year old. Just give him food.

Mumsnet seems to be obsessed with protein and getting some at every meal. The reality is that we don't need nearly as much as some people would have you believe and the majority of us get plenty of protein. If he eats peanut butter, yogurt, cheese, beans, drinks mil etc he is likely getting enough already. I really wouldn't be messing about with protein shakes for a 2 year old. Just give him food.

Echo the above, we are a bit obsessed with protein, which I think is from gym/diet culture, you generally need alot less than you think and most people are not deficient in it

Peanut butter or any other nut butter, whole milk, cheese, yogurt baked beans are all good sources of protein. All nutrients etc are better from food than from supplements.

Just wanted to add - you don't mention whether he will eat fish? I make fishcakes for my toddler with cod/salmon and mashed potato, covered in breadcrumbs, and she inhales them. Soft texture too.

Even good old fish fingers are a source of protein, or a tuna mayo sandwich.