What protein shake do you recommend for teens?

[FaithManor]

Ds, the middle one that was diagnosed with Failure to Thrive when he was 12 - for lack of anything better because they've never been able to pinpoint his exact metabolic disorder - is trying to gain weight. He's 5'10" now and weighs 96 lbs. He's on a 3500 calorie per day and it's so hard some days to get all of that into him. He is despertate to not be so emaciated looking and wants to work out with weights so we'd like to put him on protein shakes. If he takes on any kind of new exercise program, we have to up his caloric intake. This whole thing is not easy.

 

I am against hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, excessive sugar, MSG, etc. because I don't see the point of filling his body with junk so I think this will need to be a fairly high quality protein shake. I would consider something that can be mixed with milk or ice cream, made into a smoothie, etc. Ds would like it to be chocolate flavored if possible and NOT tasting like chocolate covered algae...I think he's afraid that some of these types of drinks have a flavor similar to grazing on grass and weeds! Probably because his aunt makes a homemade concoction with spirulina, spinach, kale, and whole bunch of stuff and it stinks to high heaven. None of us have every figured out how she manages to drink it down.

 

So what do you recommend that is chocolate flavored, without preservatives or high in sugar, and high in protein?

 

Faith

[applethyme]

I don't know about protein shakes but for my 5 year old with ftt I add duocal to his food. If I don't use duocal I use heavy whipping cream. I mix the whipping cream with a little milk and add to milkshakes, pudding, potatoes ect.

[flyingiguana]

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/tietge9.htm

reviews some whey protein -- I'm imagining you could just add this to your own shake?

 

Does your dr recommend extra protein for weight gain? I'd be careful with it, as too much protein can put a lot of strain on the kidneys.

[Guest inoubliable]

His doctor should be able to recommend something, protein shake or nutritionist. His specific needs should be matched to a good quality protein shake. If you're bent on going DIY, I'd just make him a breakfast smoothie. Something like Pediasure with extra milk and peanut butter.

[FaithManor]

Thanks, his endo said definitely the extra protein because of taking up the weight lifting. However, what he recommended actually had a lot of chemical junk in it so I wasn't thrilled.

 

Faith

[Lynnae]

Jarrow seems to be pretty high quality. I use the unflavored whey protein in baking low carb. I've never tried the chocolate, but it's available. http://www.jarrow.com/product/441/Whey_Protein_Chocolate

[Tita Gidge]

My brother uses Jay Robb during his training season. You can read about it here on GNC.

 

If any of our boys needed or wanted a protein shake, it's what he'd have them use.

 

He says the chocolate isn't the best, but it's the best of the non-junk brands - not chalky, etc.

 

It also comes in other flavors. I've tried a few, the orange creamsicle mixed with frothed milk is just like an Orange Julius :)

[ChrisB]

Not protein shake related, but have you tried a digestive enzyme with him? You probably have, but I just wanted to throw that out there in case you haven't. My 15 mos. DD was barely gaining weight, like less than 2 lbs between 5 mos. and 14 mos. I started her on a digestive enzyme just to see if that would help her and she has started to gain!!