Tips For Making The Best Protein Shakes
- Start the blender on low and work up to high. Blend for 30-60 seconds to allow ample time for the mixture to become super smooth.
- Sweeten to taste with a little maple syrup or honey .
- Serve immediately, or store for up to 6 hours in the fridge. See Notes in the recipe for more info on making these ahead.
- Use plain whole milk kefir for probiotics, protein, and creamy texture. Or you can use your favorite nondairy milk.
- I like to freeze fresh raw cauliflower to use in this recipe. Frozen cauliflower from the store is meant to be cooked.
- If you are unable to find kefir, use half milk and half plain yogurt instead.
- Add ½ banana for additional creaminess in any of the smoothies.
- Add 1/4-½ cup plain Greek yogurt or cottage cheese for additional protein.
Solution: Delicious Smoothies For Picky Eaters
Having picky eaters is not so easy, but there are so wonderful solutions. We have some friends that have 2 picky eaters and dont love any fruits or vegetables. Oddly enough, they will eat bananas and spinach in a smoothie, like our Blackberry Smoothie. This is likely because once you can get a child to TRY and drink a smoothie, they realize how delicious they are.
Thankfully, one of the children loves hummus, so were always making new hummus recipes to satisfy. Like this Cauliflower Hummus that looks and taste like hummus, but is full of nutrition.
What Are Healthy Meals For Picky Eaters
Once or twice in your life, you will encounter people who are not quite fond of a number of foods. This may be a friend of yours, a family member, or even your child! When you hear about being a picky eater, you may initially think of a toddler refusing to eat their broccoli, but you must also remember that adults struggle with it, too! Being a picky eater usually means that they only like a very limited set of foods and they wont really try new foods if it looks, smells, or tastes different than usual.
Yes, after hearing this, you may feel like this is a lost case. However, do not give up on them because you can actually still serve and introduce them to new healthy foods and meals through these tips:
Some healthy and well-liked foods and snacks for picky eaters usually contain fruits, yogurt, peanut butter, and such. To also make sure that your picky eater is eating healthy choices, then it is best to remove unnecessary fats, sugars, and carbs from their diets. This means opting for vegetables, whole foods, unrefined grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
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Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
Another product I recommend is Vital Proteins Unflavored Collagen Peptides. Collagen peptides are a great way to up the protein content of the food youre serving, but one serving does contain 18 grams of protein, so make sure it isnt making your childs protein intake too high. For a toddler or young child, Id recommend about ½ of one scoop, which would be closer to 4 or 5 grams of protein.
Because their collagen is sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows, its soluble in many foods and liquids. And, its completely flavorless, which makes it a great add-in for smoothies, yogurt , or applesauce. I often add it to my kids food when they are sick and I want to get a little extra in them because their appetite is low. Try blending it with frozen bananas and a splash of milk to make nice cream when they have a cold or a virus!
For more tips on feeding your kids when theyre sick read my post on Food for Sick Toddlers or listen to my podcast episode on what to feed a sick toddler.
Smoothies For Toddlers + Kids
These 15 Smoothies for Toddlers + Kids are an amazing way to get more fruits, vegetables, and nutrients into your kids belly! Theyre easy, fast, and delicious. Great for breakfast, snacks, or on-the-go lunch!
Medically reviewed and co-written by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist .
In this guide, youll find:
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Will It Help My Digestion
Digestive issues can have any number of underlying root causes, so its hard to say if KaChava will definitely help. But given our carefully selected ingredients and the fact that we do not include common gut-irritating foods like gluten and dairy, it could be a great option!
For example, fiber and probiotics can benefit the overall health of your gut microbiome, and both have been shown to help alleviate constipation and diarrhea , while digestive enzymes can help your body break down fats, proteins, and carbs. Additionally, KaChava provides 60% of your daily quota of magnesium, which can help alleviate constipation, and 52% of your zinc, which supports a healthy gut lining and may help heal a leaky gut.
Read more about the digestion-friendly nutrients in KaChava here.
The Best Protein Sources For Kids & Toddlers
Much of the food we eat has at least some protein in it. Sure, some sources are more protein-dense than others, but since so many foods can contribute to a childs overall protein intake, I typically dont worry about kids getting enough protein overall. What I do worry about is them getting enough iron! Thats why the best protein sources for kids and toddlers are ones high in ironespecially if they dont eat much meat or fish, or if the majority of their protein comes from dairy sources.
Meat in particular has lots of iron in it, so its a solid source of protein in the diet if theyll eat it. Ground beef has about 4 grams of protein per ounce, salmon has about 5.5 grams per ounce, and chicken has about 8 grams per ounce. And if youre like, Salmon, Kacie?! Ha! My kid would NEVER! Thats okay. Even if all theyll tolerate is ground beef in spaghetti sauce or chicken nuggets, you can feel good knowing theyre still working their way towards those daily protein goals.
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Sweet And Savory Chicken Stir Fry
Putting veg on the side of a simple rice dish allows kids to know exactly what theyre eating and sometimes a suspicious ingredient is all it takes for a point-blank refusal to eat. This stir-fry recipe from our archives is a mix of sweet and savory flavors thats easy to preparejust mince the onion small or omit altogether.
Warm up your household with this mild chile con carne made just for kids. The best part besides the 18 grams of protein per serving is the four veggies in this delightful dish. Mamma Ciera grates the veggies, so they blend right into the chile. Find the recipe, here.
How To Make A Protein Shake
Heres a look at the easy process involved in this recipe. Scroll down to the bottom for the full information.
TIP: You can taste and add a little honey or maple syrup to add sweetness if desired.
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Protein Powder For Toddlers & Kids: Answering Your Faqs
By now, you know that generally speaking, I wouldnt recommend an everyday protein supplement for your toddler or child. But, if you know they need oneor your pediatrician has recommended onethats another story! Here are my answers to some of the common questions I hear from parents in this boat:
Why Do Protein Foods Tend To Be Tricky For Picky Eaters
Meat, fish and poultry tend to be 2nd on the list for rejected foods next to vegetables. Were not sure why, and this is usually a phase that passes in time , but it likely has something to do with the texture and mouthfeel of meat. It can be tough, hard to chew and quite simply not appealing to more particular eaters at certain stages. Fish has a strong taste which also tends to be a tough sell with certain little ones. The trick is to continue serving these foods pressure-free, without expectation that your child will eat it. As tough as it is to drop your mealtime agenda, its so important. If your child feels pressure, theyll be even more turned off.
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Why Mix Protein With Water
Mix protein with water because as much as wed love to indulge in the best and most delicious chocolate milkshakes all day, being physically fit means cutting the fluff and pumping your body full of as many clean, healthy nutrients as possible.
Mixing protein powder in water accomplishes two goals:
If you want to lose weight and gain lean muscle, you have very little nutritional wiggle room.
When you mix whey powder with water, you are getting all of the good with none of the bad, unless you’re trying to bulk up. And in that case, you might want to add some milk in there for the extra calories.
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The Best Tasting Protein Powder With Water Is
Drinking protein powder with water instead of milk keeps you from consuming extra unnecessary calories. Drinking protein powder with water also makes it more important that your protein powder tastes good.
That’s why ProteinSeries 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate by Transparent Labs is our top recommended product. Their yummy protein powder comes in four different flavors that can fit your taste.
Not only that, 28 grams of protein per scoop makes this protein powder more loaded with proteins than the other products on this list. That means you won’t have to worry about not getting your protein macros in for the day, as Transparent Labs is one product that can help you achieve that.
How do you drink your protein powder? Do you mix it with just water, milk, or some other liquid? Lets discuss in the comments, or share your experience with protein powders on any of our social media channels.
Our #1 Best Tasting Protein Powder With Water
Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Protein
- Comes in four flavors: chocolate, strawberry, french vanilla, and salted caramel
- 28 grams of protein per scoop
- 100% Grass fed whey
- No artificial preservatives, sweeteners, or colors
- Get the BEST PRICE until the end of
Cons
- May be pricey for some people
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Can It Help Me Lose Weight
KaChava can be a useful tool if youre trying to lose weight. Its not a magic bullet, but when we formulated KaChava, our goal was to maximize the calorie-to-satiety ratio by optimizing levels of protein , fiber , and healthy fats three key nutrients that help control hunger. This way, you feel full longer without excess calories.
Another reason KaChava might help you lose weight: Its really darn convenientjust blend with water and ice. A lack of quick-but-healthy options can be a huge barrier to maintaining healthy eating habits that help you lose weight, but keeping a bag of KaChava on hand can ensure youre never without a nutritious option.
Additionally, KaChava contains probiotics, vitamin D, and magnesiumall of which play important roles in regulating metabolism.
Read more about the nutrients in KaChava that support weight loss here.
What To Put In A Smoothie To Make It Taste Better
As with all foods, some smoothies can be an acquired taste depending on what you blend into them. This can take practice and thats okay.
If your child has some favorite foods that they already love, consider whether you could include these into a smoothie and have them help.
Making your smoothie taste good is all about learning the personal preferences of your kids. Ask them what theyd like their smoothie to taste like that day and then have them help gather ingredients.
For instance, you could make a red or purple smoothie packed with berries, a creamy orange and banana smoothie, a strawberry lime smoothie, a green pineapple smoothie, or even a chocolate shake with peanut butter, dates, and apple.
The only way to find out what smoothies your child loves is to experiment in the kitchen. You can find recipes together and try them out, and then put your own spin on them. Just be sure to write down the ones your child loves, so you can make them more often.
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Turn A Smoothie Into A Popsicle In 8 Minutes
In as little as 8 minutes you can easily turn a smoothie into a popsicle. We love this easy Quicksicle Maker from Pampered Chef that makes popsicles in less than 10 minutes out of any liquid! The fun shapes and sizes really encourage kids to enjoy a healthy smoothie without them even knowing it.
All you have to do is make the smoothie from this recipe or one of our other Smoothie Recipes. Pour the mixture into our favorite popsicle maker and in 8 minutes, your kids are ready to enjoy a healthy popsicle any time of day!
If youre looking for more healthy and easy ways to keep your kid full of healthy nutrition, check out our Smoothie eBook, available for download. This eBook offers 9 unique popsicle recipes that cant be found on the blog paired with a simple resources guide if youre new to making popsicles.
If youre ready to take on homemade popsicle-making, this eBook is for you!
Can You Have Smoothies Instead Of Meals
Smoothies and shakes are a great option for kids and adults alike. Their consistency allows them to be offered to younger kids without concern for choking, and they can take on a multitude of flavors and colors, which is fun for kids.
Though tempting during picky eating phases, smoothies, shakes, and nutritional drinks for kids should not be used as a meal replacement when your child is refusing their plate. Rather, smoothies and shakes are ideal for between-meal snacks, to complement a balanced meal, or to offer as an after-dinner dessert or bedtime snack to fill little tummies.
One of the most important nutritional goals for kids is to help them learn to meet their needs through a variety of solid foods, which can include smoothies, but they shouldnt be the star of the show.
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How To Make Healthy Smoothies Your Kids Will Love
Everyone likes smoothies, right? Whats not to love when you combine creamy yogurt, fresh or frozen fruit, natural sweeteners, plus delicious and nutritious superfoods? If you have kids you know that they can come up with any number of reasons not to like something.
Smoothies are a great way for you to get all of your most nutritionally-packed foods into one glass, but it can also work for your kids. If they have been eyeing your concoctions with suspicion, assure them that smoothies taste good and get them in on making some. With the right ingredients you can craft tasty and nutritious smoothies that your kids will happily drink. Here are some tips to get you started:
Ingredients In Banana Spinach Protein Shake For Kids
To make this banana protein smoothie, youll need frozen banana and baby spinach. If you have a powerful blender, you can simply half the bananas and stick them into a zip top freezer bag to freeze. If your blender has some difficulty blending mixtures very smooth, slice your banana first and then freeze. The smaller pieces will be easier to blend.
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How To Cook Healthy Meals For Picky Eaters
The easiest ways to cook healthy meals for picky eaters? You can add some health-boosting ingredients to the foods they like, or add some fruit or veggies alongside their favorites.
What healthy ingredients should you add to the foods they like? I have you covered! Check out these recipes for ideas!
And if you want some more in depth tips on what to cook for picky eaters, check out this post: Meal plan for picky eaters.
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What Makes It Better Than Others
KaChava differs from other protein powders and meal replacement shakes in a few key ways:
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Protein Shakes For Picky Kids
I have three flavors to share in this recipe, which all start with the same three ingredients. For each flavor, youll start with plain kefir, hemp seeds , and a nut or seed butter like almond, peanut or sunflower seed butter.
TIP: You can add a little maple syrup or honey for a little extra sweetness if needed to taste.