Feeding 2.75 Year Old Protein Bars

My husband eats a Cliff builders bar every morning and calls it his "human food pellet". Our 20 month old loves them and we cut off little chunks for him. We also occasionally supplement his milk with Jay Robb protein mix in vanilla.
Of course you want your daughter to be eating foods that aren't overly processed, but if you can get it in her, then great!
You might ask your pediatrician (and their nutritionist if they have one) their opinions. None of the moms here are pediatricians and few are registered dieticians, so our advice is based on opinion and experience.

I don't think it is that big of a deal, as long as you don't rely on the bar as her sole source of protein. Remember milk products have protein too, and eggs are a great source. I used to give my kids french toast when they were in that picky stage and they would not even know that it was packed full of eggs. Re-fried beans or tofu were always a favorite of my kids, too. I don't think they need to have protein at EVERY meal, or even every day for that matter, just make sure they are eating healthy, nutrition packed foods, like organic whole grain everything and lots of fruits and veggies. (did you know that organic foods pack more nutrition into them than conventionally grown foods?) I'm sure she will grow up healthy and strong, they all get picky for a while, but it gets better.

They're fine as long as they're not totally replacing other sources of protien or being given too often. My daughter is 2 1/2 and she eats them once or twice a week. Some kids just won't eat chicken or can't have nuts, so it's a good occasional supplement. Just watch the sugar! Some of them are really bad and don't give the ones made for bodybuilders! : )

Have you tried Lara Bars. My son loves them. They're full of nuts and fruit with no added sugar. They're also quite easy to make. There's a recipe on weelicious for "protein bars". When your daughter is hungry and you need a good on the go snack, these are perfect!

I would definitely ask your pediatrician if it's OK. Peds have such different nutritional requirements than we do. I'd want to be sure it's OK for their kidney function to have higher doses of protein.

That being said, you can get protein in as a snack in so many other ways if you're concerned about not getting enough in her normal diet.

Our son asked for a banana w/peanut butter on it as a snack last night (he's 3.5 yeas). He also loves shelled edamame. Cheese sticks, yogurt, nuts can all provide good levels of protein as well.

I'm always a little cautious with our kids - perhaps I've worked in the pharmaceutical industry too long and know that very few products are tested on kids.

Hi L.,
I am not a pediatrician, or dietician… With that said, my daughter is 2 yrs 4 months. She has been eating protein bars since she was about a year old.
I asked my ped. If he thought it was okay he said it was great. Although one thing is that my daughter has NEVER had a problem with eating, or being picky! My brother actually has a nick name for her “Tank!” She is in the 65% for her weight so she is by no means overweight.. she just eats small amounts all day. We are also vegetarians so she eats lots of fruits and veggies, although we eat protein soy substitutes in place of meat so I do not give her protein bars because I am worried about her not getting enough protein.
So, I think they are good, lots of nutrition, and of course protein… Stick to the “kids bars” Most places carry Z bars which are the Cliff bar brand but for kids. I let my daughter have ½ a cliff bar, or a luna bar if she has one of mine…
Just be a little cautious because they are VERY tasty! My daughter doesn’t eat candy or sweats so I treated it like a “meal” or something that she only had once a day…
Hope that helps.

I agree with you L...."something doesn't seem right" to me either. Go with your gut on this. A lot of these bars are processed foods. What did we do before we had protein bars? We ate foods that contained protein. And there are soooooo many...beans, soy, eggs, cheese, milk, yogurt, peanut butter, nuts, chicken, pork, lean meats, fish, etc. I think if you implement some of these into her daily diet she will be just fine. Remember she doesn't need as much as an adult. Your doing a great job. I also was inspired by your background information...congratulations.

K. (mother of a 2 year old born in May and 5 year old born in June)

I agree with you that it just doesn't "feel right". I think for me it is the amount of sugar and the fact that they are often covered in chocolate. I have started making my own which you can find recipes for (or e-mail me and I will send you mine). We make up enough for a week or two and while they still do have some sugar in, I can control it and add more of the protein powder or peanut butter if I like. There are also no preservatives but we don't have a problem gobbling them up in our house.

I also sneak tofu in a lot. That's how I started giving protein when my two were smaller babies and now incorporate it into smoothies, soups etc. It sounds gross but I know it has no taste and the soft tofu has no lumps or anything either.

I'm really glad to hear about someone so concerned with nutrition! Congratulations and good luck with the two little ones!

While protein bars are goodfor adults who need a pick me up I highly suggest that you do your best to expand your daughters palate. In order to do that you should offer your daughter a variety of healthy choices at every meal. Include some lean proteins like chicken, turkey and beans or tofu. As long as your daughter is growing and healthy and you give her a variety of options she will be fine. You didn't mention her age but alot of younger children have trouble chewing meats so cut them up really small like the size of a corn kernal.

Remember to look at what she eats over the course of the week as well. Since kids tend to eat small amounts when they are young, every bite counts so make sure she has healhy options.

Best wishes.

Hello, There is probably no problem with them, however,I would check the Gerber's nutrition bars. They are designed for a child.
Good luck with your precious family.
K. K.

My son just turned 2 and he loves them as well. As an avid exerciser and someone always on the go... I don't see the harm in the occasional protein bar piece. However... one full bar would have way too much protein for her. She is little so she doesn't need as much. At this age... they need the complex carbs such as fruits and whole grains for energy and fats. I know it seems kilter to what we are taught about our adult bodies... but for the most part if you put out healthy food choices she will eat what her body tells her. At that age she hasn't learned the social stigma behind food. There are also some that are artificially sweetened... I like Lara Bars.. and although they don't offer a lot of protein, they are great energy snack bars and my son loves those too.

Why don't you check with your pediatrician? They're probably the best to answer this question.

I don't eat them, so don't know much about them, but thought they had lots of sodium in them...could be wrong though.

-M

From what I have been taught, you don't need as much protein as the food industry wants us to believe, so we will buy their products. Protein bars are a processed food. I would especially stay away from soy protein or any isolates. She would be better off eating whole grains and fruits and sticking to high protein vegetables. I have a nutrition DVD if you would like to watch it. God Bless!

J.

I don't have any advice on this issue but just wanted to say I was thrilled by your background story. Congratulations!!

Cliff makes bars made especially for kids. I don't know the target age for them but it's probably better than the adult ones if you are going to give one to your toddler

Hi L.,

This is just my opinion, but I don't think there is anything wrong with the occassional "bar". I allow my kids to have the kids Cliff bars once in awhile, but I wouldn't use them as a regular diet supplement. The bars tend to have an awful lot of sugar.

You say that she "nibbles" on a lot of other things. I bet she gets more protein than you think and probably is meeting her needs. However, if you think she needs more protein, I'd try offering more protien-rich foods(and letting her nibble!). Things that I include in snacks are: almonds, pistachios, eggs (scrambled or hard boiled), cheese sticks, yogurt, low-sodium lunch meats, peanut butter (on crackers, pretzels, etc.) And, just drinking milk with meals provides protein too.

Hope that helps.

M.