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For kids to grow well…and stay well, they need to get the Pro-tein on the plate. Protein is an essential macronutrient (macro) necessary for growth and development, muscle health, bone health and to support a healthy immune system. When you don’t have enough protein, you can feel tired, have trouble concentrating, experience delayed growth, longer wound healing time and get sick more often.

HOW MUCH PROTEIN DO KIDS NEED TO SUPPORT THEIR GROWING BODY?

AGE             PROTEIN NEEDS (grams/day)
4-8                 19  

9-13               34

For kids that are active or athletes, the amount of protein needed could even be higher. 

The goal is to eat enough protein but make sure that you balance the diet our with Carbs and healthy fats too. And that is the reason why I love MOO’V™ Real Milk! It deliciously delivers on protein, carbs, vitamins and minerals, and it counts as a fluid. Milk is a high quality protein meaning it supplies all the essential amino acids as well as Vitamins A, D, E, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, Vitamin B12 and the minerals calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iodine, selenium and zinc. 

HOW TO CONSUME PROTEIN OVER THE DAY

When we talk about optimizing protein intake, that means protein containing foods as part of every meal, not just dinner. MOO’V™ Real Milk is a great grab-and-go for breakfast, enjoyed with a piece of fruit or granola bar for a mid-day snack, blended with fruit in a smoothie, or poured in a bowl with cold or hot cereal. MOO’V™ Real Milk ups the protein game at lunch along with PBJ and is a great choice for kids with picky palates or who do not like the texture of other protein foods. A serving of MOO’V™ meets 50% of the day’s protein requirement for 9-13 year olds in a portable, palatable and no effort way. 

So, to help your kids grow well and stay well, join the MOO’V-ment. Helping kids score with their pour and ensuring that you are optimizing their protein intake every day.

Leslie Bonci, MPH, RDN, CSSD, LDN, is the Dietary & Nutrition Strategic Advisor at Dari^® and MOO’V™ milk. With over two decades of experience, she is an expert in nutrition with many of Leslie’s blog posts center around active eating and fueling for sport. She is the Head Nutritionist for the Kansas City Chiefs and has been a consulting sports dietitian in the NFL, MLB, and NHL, and worked with Olympic athletes. Bonci has co-authored three books with an active eating focus, is a blogger for US News Eat + Run, and is a sought-after expert for television, radio, print and online media, Bonci speaks regularly on topics including “sciensationalism,” “fuels of engagement” and “communication with conviction” to help influencers and consumers debunk the junk and separate fact from fallacy.