A child’s healthy, all-round development depends largely on their diet. So, besides food, pediatricians may suggest adding the nutritional supplement, PediaSure for kids. Parents are usually concerned about providing the best nutritious food for their children. In addition, they worry about developmental delays, poor growth, and other health problems usually caused by nutrient deficiencies. Therefore, they may opt for supplementing their child’s diet with commercially available products. Continue reading this post where we explain how effective PediaSure is in addressing growing children’s nutritional demands. This is not a promotional post for PediaSure or its sister brands. It is for informational purposes only and not a replacement for a doctor’s advice.
Is PediaSure Good For Kids?
Most PediaSure products claim to be rich in high-quality protein and essential vitamins and minerals. These nutrients are necessary to support the growth and development of children. Besides, all of them are gluten-free and hence relatively easy on the gut. A research study showed that regular use of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) could promote and sustain adequate intake of nutrients in children who have the risk of malnutrition (1). Thus, the product can be considered good when given under medical supervision. Consult your doctor for guidance. Dr. Leah Alexander, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician from Fairview, New Jersey, says, “For children who have a medical condition that makes it difficult for them to consume enough calories to gain an appropriate amount of weight, supplemental beverages can be helpful. Pediasure is one of many available options marketed for children.”
When Can Children Start Having PediaSure?
Depending on the variant, the manufacturer recommends PediaSure for children from two years to 13 years (2). If your child is younger than two years, then the brand advises a pediatric consultation before use. The use of PediaSure for babies up to one year of age is not recommended (3).
How To Give PediaSure To Your Child?
The method of preparing and serving PediaSure depends on its variant. For instance,
PediaSure Grow and Gain Shakes are ready-to-drink shakes that do not require preparation.
It is a powder that needs to be mixed in water to prepare the drink.
The company also suggests parents try recipes that can have Grow & Gain shakes or powder mix as an ingredient. However, do check the other ingredients in a recipe to ensure your child’s safety.
PediaSure And Its Product Types
PediaSure nutritional supplements are available in a range of variants depending on the nutritional requirement of the child and their age. Here are the three common PediaSure products available over the counter. Most PediaSure products are available in multiple flavors. There are some other product types that are specially designed for tube feeding, like PediaSure Enteral Formula 1.0 Cal.
How Much PediaSure Can Children Drink Per Day?
According to PediaSure, in general, there is no safe limit of intake. The brand recommends consulting a pediatrician to determine the amount of supplement suitable for your child. It is even more important to consult a pediatrician if the child is already eating adequate food and consuming other beverages. The recommended intake will also depend on the PediaSure variant recommended by the pediatrician. Therefore, the daily serving for each child might vary.
Claimed Health Benefits of PediaSure For Children
Here are some of the benefits said to accrue on the consumption of PediaSure. Apart from the above nutritional benefits, some other general benefits of PediaSure are: The product also claims to be free of artificial growth hormones and is Kosher and Halal-certified.
Probable Side Effects Of Nutritional Supplements For Children
There might be some side effects of consuming nutritional supplements, such as PediaSure. Dr. Alexander adds, “From a nutritional perspective, the amount of sugar is an issue. The recommended daily sugar intake after age two is 25g per day. Some formulations of Pediasure have nearly that much sugar in just one serving.”
