Perfect protein - healthy protein snacks for kids
According to recent National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey data, snacks can make up about 30 percent of US children's daily calories, and many of these snacks are often from low-nutrient snacks, desserts, and candy. Perfect Protein explains the importance of offering high-quality protein to support a child’s growth and development and how Perfect Protein’s healthy protein bars composed of edible insect protein are the perfect snack for children.
Protein plays an essential role in many bodily functions, including the recovery and repair of tissues in the muscles, skin, organs, blood, hair, and nails. 20 amino acids compose protein, but the body can produce only 11 while the other 9 must be derived from food.
Daily requirements
Children require approximately 1–1.5 grams of protein for every 2 pounds of body weight, or more precisely, 1 gram of protein for every 1 kilogram. A child who weighs 40 pounds (or 18.2 kilograms) needs approximately 18 grams of protein per day. Children who don't get enough high-quality protein may experience health issues, including fatigue, poor concentration, slowed growth, bone and joint pain, delayed wound healing, and a compromised immune system.
One of the efficient ways to increase children’s protein intake is through healthy snacks that help satisfy hunger between meals and boost energy. Additionally, snacking ensures that children get a mix of all nutrients that are needed to fuel their growth and development.
Role of protein in children’s growth and development
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Builds muscles
The building blocks for the development of the musculature of a child, protein helps in building muscles of the body and are necessary to be taken for the growth and development of a child.
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Grows new cells
Proteins aid in the growth of new cells in the body. It helps in the regeneration of tissue, blood replenishment, healing wounds, and regulation of the growth of hair and nails.
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Boosts metabolism
Enzymes and hormones in the body are composed of protein and these hormones and enzymes are responsible for boosting the metabolism of a child.
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Strengthens immunity
Proteins act as antibodies and help in fighting against bacterial and viral infection and thereby boost the immune system of a child.
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Helps in blood production
Proteins help in the production of hemoglobin which is an important component of blood. Hemoglobin helps in carrying oxygen to all parts of the body.
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Produces energy
Carbohydrates are used to produce energy by the body. Proteins can also be metabolized by the body to get calories and provide energy in case there is a dearth of carbohydrates.
Perfect Protein’s healthy snack bars are composed of nutrient-dense cricket powder and delectable ingredients that children love such as chocolate and raisins. The amount of high-quality protein that Perfect Protein bars offer minus the carbon footprint is far ahead of any other animal or plant source. For instance, sirloin beef steak has 27.1 g of complete protein per 100g while cricket flour carries 58.3 g in 100g. Moreover, cricket powder offers the benefits of all the 9 essential amino acids that complete a protein and are needed by the body.
Notably, Perfect Protein snack bars not only offer the benefits of protein for children but also contain various other nutrients that are important for children’s growth.
Other nutrients in Perfect Protein bars
1. Essential fatty acids
Research has also shown omega-3 oils to benefit learning and memory, aiding school performance. However, other recent studies in animals have shown promise for omega-3 to reduce ADHD symptoms, helping to improve behavior and concentration, which may help children with this condition to rely less heavily on medication for the management of ADHD.
These two fatty acids are found in an optimal ratio of 3:1 in cricket powder from Perfect protein.
2. Calcium and vitamin D
These two nutrients are vital for bone health to ensure that children will grow up to have strong bones more resistant to fractures. This is because calcium, along with the mineral phosphorus, helps to give bones their rigid structure. Vitamin D is needed by the body for the absorption of calcium. Guidelines recommend that elementary school-aged children need 1000mg of calcium daily, rising to 1300mg by the time they reach high school. The heart, muscles, and nerves also need calcium to function properly.
Cricket powder contains 1.6 times more calcium than milk.
3. Iron
Although iron deficiency anemia is more commonly associated with tiredness and reduced cognitive function, it can also hamper growth in children. This form of anemia is on the rise in the US and the use of iron supplements often leads to digestive upsets. An iron-rich diet is the best solution. Iron helps form hemoglobin that is essential for the transportation of oxygen around the body. Iron is also important for producing energy, and optimal immune function.
Cricket powder contains 3 times the soluble iron found in a sirloin steak.
4. Vitamin B12
This vitamin is critical for the optimal health of the brain and nervous system, for the conversion of food into energy, and for the formation of red blood cells. It also keeps anemia at bay.
Cricket powder contains 50 times more vitamin B12 than chicken and 7 times more than salmon.
The Perfect Protein’s delectable bars are made with cricket powder and flavored with almonds, chocolate, peanut butter, cinnamon, raisin, and gluten-free oats. Children can snack on these delicious and nutrient-dense bars at any time of the day. A delicious, convenient, organic sustainable nutrition, all in one!
Why Perfect Protein?
Perfect protein, a wholly owned brand of Dalayla farms, creates consumable protein products using 100% sustainably raised crickets from its in-house farm.
1. With Perfect Protein, clients have access to flavorful products that are a great source of complete protein with all 9 essential amino acids produced with minimal environmental impact.
2. Crickets are very nutritionally dense sources of food. Here is their nutrition profile:
- 65% protein by volume
- High in iron
- High in fiber
- More B12 than salmon
- Gluten-free
- All 9 amino acids
- More calcium than milk
- 15% More iron than spinach
Visit the Perfect Protein farm to see how it works. Call at (716) 597-8656 or visit our shop online at www.crkt.life
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