Are protein shakes okay for 12 year old boys?

Question

My son is 12 and underweight. He plays soccer and would like to put on some weight. Is he old enough for protein shakes? If yes, is there something I should look for in particular? If no, is there something else I can give him?
Thank you.

Answer 1

When it comes to your sons health...ask his Dr...why place his life in strangers hands...

Answer 2

I can not honestly say that it would really hurt him in any way, but being that he is only 12, I would start by feeding him his regular balanced meals while including more things like steak and chicken.
They are a more natural source of protein that he needs without the weight gaining fillers included in a protein shake. Just bigger portions if weight gain is what he is looking for. Hope this helps

Answer 3

Yes , I tried this with my son when he was 12
He is still underweight , he is now 17 but solid muscle,
He is 6'2" and 145 lbs...He is a great hockey player.. The protein shakes were just a waste of money.

Answer 4

Whey protein

I would check at a whole foods store and ask for the qualified person in that section.
I started giving my son whey protein shakes, which were recommended at the time ,but , things change so quickly that you may want to double check.

Answer 5

I would try ensure before I try a protein drink. (The label on my husband's protein drink says not intended for children under the age of 18.) Offer healthy choices to eat (chicken, lean meats) and have him do a small "workout"- pushups, situps, maybe running- to help him build muscle mass. Kids shouldn't really start to workout until at least 14-15 years of age. Starting too early can do more harm than good. Hope it helps!

Answer 6

All little boys go through fazes when they are skinnier than they would like to be. I would talk to my pediatrician before trying anything on your son. My son will get really thin when he's going through a growing spurt, but always comes back around. And in the case of my husband, he's just naturally a stringbean! But since your child is still growing, giving any type of supplement can help, but can also harm, so ask a professional.

Answer 7

I think there is good proof that those protein shakes don't do the body any more than a well balanced diet. The body can only put to use so much protein, the rest...well...moves on!

Answer 8

Protein shakes are fine. It will NOT bulk him up tho. He needs CALORIES, not protein. Most doctors say weigt training should not begin until they are at least 13. So if you just wanna bulk him up, have him eat more or at least more high calorie foods. Try to keep it healthy tho. You obviously don't want him unhealthy and over weight.

Hannah, protein IS GOOD for everyone. It's just a protein shake. It's better for you to have then meat or even milk since it is more easily digestable.

Go to http://www.bodybuilding.com. They have a great teen section with great ideas on building muscle and gaining weight.

Good Luck!

*Edit*

The human body can only digest 30-40 grams of protein at a time. To build muscle you (an adult) needs 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight. If you weigh 200 pounds, you would need 200 grams of protein A DAY to build muscle. Most "Protein Shakes" only have 30 grams of protein per shake.

Answer 9

he still young and growing
the best thing is to go all natural for now
start doing pushups, situp,and pullups and eating a lot of protein preferably chicken for health reasons and wait till atleast 17/18 for protein shakes

Answer 10

LMFAO yes ur so right mostly at point number 16 i also hate when people stare at eacother while working out and I hate when women comes with full make up on and so do your list ha ha ha

Answer 11

protein shakes are not all that good.. my brother use to take them all the time and it didnt help and they are not all that healthy.. what you can do is look into the type of food that give you healhty fat.. i heard fish gives you good fat.. and eat food with fats but exersise you dont want him to get too fat right lol.