As a parent, you want to make sure that your child is eating a balanced diet that provides them with all the essential nutrients that they need for growth and development. At the same time, kids go through phases of being picky eaters, only liking certain foods, or being hesitant to try new foods, which can make it challenging to find things that are both nourishing and tasty for them.
One essential nutrient kids need in the right amount is protein, and luckily, there are a variety of foods that carry it, including protein bars. Let’s take a look at some kid-friendly protein bars that can work great as part of a balanced diet and that your child will actually look forward to eating.
Table of Contents
- Why Kids Need Protein in Their Diet
- What Makes a Protein Bar Kid-Friendly
- Ingredients To Look for (and Avoid) in Protein Bars for Kids
- When To Offer Protein Bars to Kids
- BUILT Bars That Kids (and Parents) Love
Why Kids Need Protein in Their Diet
Protein is one of the three macronutrients that all bodies need, along with carbohydrates and healthy fats. It builds, maintains, and replaces tissue in the body, which helps kids grow and develop. Proteins are made up of amino acids, which help to carry out a number of functions in the body, including brain development. Our bodies can’t make all the amino acids that we need on their own, so we have to get them from the food that we eat.
Your body uses the amino acids in protein to build and repair muscles and bones, create hormones, and support proper immune function. While all of these things are important for adults, it’s really important that kids get enough protein during childhood to continue growing and developing normally. On top of that, protein helps sustain their energy levels throughout the day, which helps keep active kids going.
Eating enough protein at breakfast and lunch helps kids feel more satisfied and steady in their energy throughout the school day, which can help them learn and succeed academically. This macronutrient is also responsible for balancing blood sugar and keeping cravings at bay for less healthy options, like sugary or overly processed snacks.
Protein can be found in many different food groups, both animal and plant-based, so there are lots of options when it comes to choosing protein-rich foods. Try out different foods with your child to introduce protein-rich options as part of balanced nutrition to help them develop healthy eating habits. Keep a variety of protein-filled snacks on hand, like tasty protein bars, that you can pack for your kiddo for breakfast, lunch, snack, or treat.
What Makes a Protein Bar Kid-Friendly
When people think of protein bars, they usually think of the dense, heavy snacks designed for gym-goers. However, not all protein bars are created equally. There are a variety of flavors and textures available on the market now, including kid-friendly snack bars that can serve as a healthy part of a balanced diet. So what makes protein bars a good option for kids? Let’s take a look.
BUILT Bars have mild, yet decadent, flavors that kids (and adults!) love. They don’t have the fake aftertaste or bitterness that some other bars have, which can be off-putting for kids. These bars also have a soft, marshmallow-like texture that’s light and airy, which is different from most dense, heavy protein bars.
This lightness makes the protein bar feel almost like a candy bar or treat, but it is so much more nutritious. The soft texture is much easier for little bellies to digest and chew, so there’s no worrying about the safety of eating these snacks outside the home.
Each bar is individually wrapped and portioned out with the right balance of macronutrients. Many BUILT Bars contain 17 grams of protein, 14 grams of carbs, and just 3 grams of fat. With these numbers, you can feel good about packing your child a protein bar to go with their lunch, or as a snack to keep them fueled throughout the day.
Ingredients To Look for (and Avoid) in Protein Bars for Kids
Protein bars can be both delicious and healthy, depending on what’s inside them. The trick is to check the labels and read the list of ingredients, in addition to the nutrition information. There are some ingredients that you want to look out for and others that you want to avoid when selecting a protein bar for your little one.
Ingredients You Want
The purpose of choosing a protein bar as a snack is that it’s a healthier option compared to overly processed foods and snacks that are marketed to children. Look at the list of ingredients on the package and check for sources of protein that come from whole foods or minimally processed sources. Some that you want to see include:
- Whey protein
- Casein
- Milk protein
- Nuts
- Eggs
- Seeds
- Soy
- Pea protein
Choosing whole or minimally processed sources of protein helps to ensure that your child gets all of those powerhouse amino acids. They’re also just great sources of pure protein. Looking for ingredients like the ones above gives you a little flexibility in choosing if you want something with dairy, dairy-free, gluten-free, or plant-based. The great thing is that there is a protein bar for every diet and dietary preference.
What to Avoid
As you scan the list of ingredients, there are other things that you want to look out for to avoid. Firstly, check out the sugar content. You want a product with minimal added sugar, as too much sugar generally has negative effects on the health of children. Besides possible weight gain, too much sugar can negatively impact overall health and lead to poor eating habits.
Instead, look for protein bars that are low in sugar or that have sweeteners from natural sources, such as dates or dried fruit. Keep away from artificial sweeteners, as they, too, are linked to several health issues when kids eat too much of them. Overly sweet sweeteners can change your child’s taste preferences and cause them to crave sweet things more than they normally would. Research shows that some artificial sweeteners can cause changes in gut microbiota, the organisms that live in the digestive tract and play many roles in our health.
Preservatives are found in many of the foods we eat today. Like sweeteners, some studies suggest that consuming too many preservatives may contribute to issues like hyperactivity or sensitivities in certain children.
Speaking of allergies, be sure to check the labels for common allergens if your child has food allergies or sensitivities. Many protein bars will clearly label if they contain common allergens such as tree nuts, peanuts or peanut butter, soy, eggs, or gluten.
When To Offer Protein Bars to Kids
The beauty of protein bars is their versatility. You can eat them with a meal or as a snack, at home or on the go, and with little mess or trash to worry about. Here are a few occasions when you should consider offering your child a protein bar.
Busy Mornings
Getting kids up and ready for school can already be hectic enough. On extra busy mornings, it can feel stressful when it comes down to the wire and you have to get a healthy breakfast on the table before the kids leave for school. Simplify things and give your kids a satiating protein bar paired with other quick, healthy options to create balanced nutrition, like fruit, yogurt, or nuts.
After School Snacks
Pack a protein bar in your child’s backpack or lunchbox as an after-school snack that can power them up for an afternoon full of sports, activities, homework, and play. Whatever’s on the agenda, a protein bar can crush hunger and sustain energy until dinnertime.
Traveling
Because of their portability and very little mess, protein bars are a great snack to pack for traveling. They’re convenient, don’t take up much space, and don’t leave behind much trash or waste. They make for an especially easy snack if you’re traveling by plane since they contain no liquids and are TSA-approved. Grab a variety pack that the whole family can share and try different flavors!
BUILT Bars That Kids (and Parents) Love
BUILT Bars are snacks that both kids and adults can agree on. Why, you ask? BUILT Bars come in a variety of decadent flavors that are all covered in a rich coating made from real chocolate. While protein bars are usually a snack, they can serve as a healthy stand-in for dessert.
BUILT Bars are so delicious, but they are actually low in sugar. This makes them a good alternative to other sweets and treats, especially desserts, that are much higher in sugar and probably don’t have a good balance of macronutrients. BUILT Bars are low in sugar and fat and are packed with protein, so they can be a nice option to have on hand after dinner when the kids are looking for something sweet (not to mention, they have a delicious marshmallowy, chewy texture!).
Protein bars are convenient and portable, so you can throw them in lunchboxes, sports bags, and backpacks before sending the kids out the door. It’s always great to have some on hand in your bag or backpack before heading out for a day with the kids. It’s only a matter of time until the kids want a snack!
Do you have a favorite BUILT Bar flavor yet? If you don’t, here are a few popular choices to try:
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Brownie Batter are perfect options for desserts or sweet treats.
- Peanut Butter Cup and Salted Caramel both bring together the perfect balance of sweet and salty.
- Coconut and Strawberries ‘N Cream are light, fruity options that have a rich, chocolate finish.
If you can’t decide which one to try, pick up a variety pack to sample a few different flavors. It has a mix of six different flavors that are covered in either a dark or milk chocolate coating and a number of different fillings. This way, the whole family can sample a few and see which ones everyone likes best, even your picky eaters.
Find Your Favorite Kid-Approved BUILT Bar Flavors
As you can see, BUILT Bars are a family-friendly snack that are approved by kids and parents alike. As a parent, you can feel good about giving your child a healthy, protein-packed snack that’s low in sugar but still tastes great, while your child can get excited about having a tasty, chocolatey treat. It’s a win-win for busy families, so pick up a pack of your favorite BUILT Bars today!
FAQs
How much protein should a child get per day?
The amount of protein that a child needs per day depends on several factors, like their size, activity level, and age. As a rule, kids need anywhere from 0.5 to 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight per day as part of a balanced diet.
Can kids eat BUILT Bars every day?
Kids can eat protein bars every day in moderation as part of their balanced nutrition. Protein bars are easy, mess-free snacks that pack well for school lunches, or your kiddos can pair them with fruit and other foods at breakfast time for a boost of satiating protein. They shouldn’t replace a meal, but they can be a part of a balanced meal any time of the day.
What’s the best way to pack protein bars for school?
BUILT Bars are a great school or lunch snack since there is very little mess or clean-up involved. Keep your child’s protein bar in their lunchbox with an ice pack, if possible. If not, keep your protein bars stored in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to pack them for school.
What other high-protein snacks besides bars are there for kids?
There are so many great protein-rich snacks out there that not only taste great, but are easy to pack as snacks in school lunchboxes. Some excellent options that are both delicious and nutritious are Greek yogurt, nut butter with fruit slices, or homemade protein bites.
