Food & Nutrition Protein-Rich Foods for Kids By Vincent Iannelli, MD facebook Vincent Iannelli, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Iannelli has cared for children for more than 20 years. Learn about our editorial process Vincent Iannelli, MD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Paul A. Rufo, MD, MMSc on February 14, 2021 Paul A. Rufo, MD, MMSc, is an assistant professor of pediatrics and senior investigator in the Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease at Boston Children's Hospital. Learn about our Review Board Paul A. Rufo, MD, MMSc Updated on March 22, 2021 Print Antonio D'Albore/Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents The Power of Protein Kids' Protein Needs Protein-Rich Foods Making Healthy Choices Ensuring that your children eat a balanced diet is an important part of their growth and development. One essential dietary component is protein, and you might be wondering if your child is getting enough. First, know that protein deficiency is extremely rare in the U.S. The majority of parents have no need to be concerned about their children meeting the daily recommended intake of protein. A 2018 analysis of Americans' protein intake found that all age groups met or exceeded their Estimated Daily Requirements (EAR). This is good news, considering all the important roles protein plays in the body. Including a variety of high-quality protein sources in your child's diet (especially if you have a picky eater) will help ensure that their body has what it needs for energy, growth, and a strong immune system. The Power of Protein Protein is an essential part of the diet due to its critical functions in the body, Most people are aware that muscles are made up of protein. A lesser-known fact is that the building blocks of protein, known as amino acids, compose virtually every cell in the body. Proteins are also used in the transport of other molecules throughout the body. Specialized proteins act as antibodies that fight disease, and they serve as messengers in many different biological functions. Nutritionally speaking, protein is important because it is digested more slowly than carbohydrate, so it keeps you feeling full longer and is a lasting energy source. Kids' Protein Needs Protein requirements depend on a child's age and weight. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Health and Human Services published updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans in 2020, in which they recommended the following daily protein intakes for children. Until kids reach 14 years old, protein recommendations are the same for both boys and girls. In the later teen years, boys should be eating more protein because they are gaining more muscle mass and tend to weigh more than girls. Age Daily Protein Recommendation Food Equivalent 2-3 years 13 grams 2 ounces 4-8 years 19 grams 4 ounces 9-13 years 34 grams 5 ounces Girls 14-18 years 46 grams 5 ounces Boys 14-18 years 52 grams 6.5 ounces Protein-Rich Foods The amino acids that make up proteins can be divided into two categories: Essential amino acids are not made by the body and must be provided by the diet Non-essential amino acids can be made in the body While animal proteins provide many of the essential amino acids needed for growth and development, a balanced plant-based diet can also provide plenty of quality protein. Children who are vegetarians or vegans have many protein sources to choose from, including grains, fortified plant-based milks, tofu, beans, and peas. Your child's diet should include plenty of milk, eggs, and lean meats. Soy, amaranth, and quinoa are also high-quality proteins that can serve as a vegetarian alternative. One ounce of a protein-rich food generally provides about 7 grams of protein. An ounce is equal to: A 1-inch cube of cheese 1 ounce of meat, poultry, or fish 1 large egg 1/4 cup tofu 1/2 cup cooked beans or lentils The chart below shows how much protein a serving of each food provides and how it compares to your child's daily protein requirement. High-Protein Food Sources Food Serving Protein (grams) Age 4 to 8 Age 9 to 13 Chicken, meat, or fish 3 ounces 21 111% 62% Lentils or beans, cooked 1/2 cup 9 47% 27% Milk or soy milk 1 cup 8 42% 24% Tofu 1/4 cup 7 37% 21% Cheese 1 ounce/slice 7 37% 21% Hummus 1/3 cup 7 37% 21% Peanut butter 2 tablespoons 7 37% 21% Eggs 1 large 6 32% 18% Nuts 1/4 cup 6 32% 18% Whole grain bread 2 slices 6 32% 18% Yogurt 1 (6 ounce) container 5 26% 15% Quinoa, cooked 1/3 cup 3 16% 9% Rice or pasta, cooked 1/3 cup 3 16% 9% As you can see, one peanut butter and jelly sandwich can provide 13 grams of protein, which is over half of the protein a 4- to 8-year-old child needs for the day. Check the Food Label By looking for foods with at least 6 to 10 grams of protein per serving, you'll be sure to provide your child with a diet that is sufficiently high in protein. Are Protein Shakes a Smart Option for Athletic Kids? Protein in a Balanced Diet Keep in mind that only 10% to 30% of children's calories need to come from protein, with the rest provided by carbohydrates and fats. A healthy diet for your kids should also include foods high in calcium and iron, which are important for muscle and bone growth. As you look for protein-rich foods, choose options that are low in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, salt, and added sugars. The American Heart Association recommends keeping total fat intake between 25% and 35% of calories for children age 4 to 18. It's best for this fat to come from fish, nuts, and vegetable oils. The American Association of Pediatrics reminds parents to avoid overfeeding kids. Let them decide how much they want to eat without being forced to finish their meals. Kids are actually pretty good at self-regulating and may eat less at some meals and more at others. Until puberty, they need far fewer calories than adults. With the wide variety of foods that are good sources of protein, this nutrient is not usually a concern in a balanced diet. Build a Healthy Eating Plan From the Five Food Groups Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get expert tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Berryman CE, Lieberman HR, Fulgoni VL III, Pasiakos SM. Protein intake trends and conformity with the dietary reference intakes in the united states: analysis of the national health and nutrition examination survey, 2001–2014. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2018;108(2):405-413. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqy088 Medline Plus. What are proteins and what do they do? Updated September 18, 2020. US Department of Agriculture and US Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th Edition. December 2020. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Protein content of common foods. Revised June 2019. American Heart Association. Dietary recommendations for healthy children. April 16, 2018. American Academy of Pediatrics. Beyond chicken nuggets: protein-rich alternatives for picky eaters. January 27, 2021. Additional Reading Kleinman RL. Pediatric Nutrition Handbook, 7th ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics. 2014.