With many supplements for youth athletes, parents might have a hard time choosing the best for their budding Olympians. It may also raise the question, “what exactly is the difference among all these supplements, and which one would suit my kid best?”
If you’re curious about whey protein, creatine, or electrolytes, then read on to find out their differences and determine which supplement is recommended for your young athlete!
Should Young Athletes Take Whey Protein?
First, let’s be clear on something: whey protein supplements are not steroids. While protein hormones are derived from amino acids, anabolic steroids are synthetic hormones that help grow and repair muscle tissue.
So in case you’re wondering whether or not a young athlete can take whey protein, the simple answer is yes, they can.
As a complete protein, whey protein has all the essential amino acids to help build proteins in the body. The best thing is that it can easily be digested and absorbed even by a young athlete’s body. Like anything else, it should be taken with precaution and clearance from your child’s doctor, just to be safe.
It would also be better if your child would consume naturally sourced whey protein supplements like Earth Fed Muscle Truly Grass Fed whey protein. Aside from having no carbs and fat, it would give you the assurance that your young athlete is consuming nothing but pure grass-fed protein.
Some benefits of whey protein for youth athletes include:
1. Build Muscle Mass
It’s true - whey protein can help your young athlete build muscles. However, remember that whey protein is a supplement, not a “magic powder.” This means your child still needs to have a well-balanced diet and train regularly to get the best results.
2. Healthy Bones
While this may come as a surprise, the muscles aren’t the only ones that benefit from whey protein - it can help keep their bones healthy and strong too. When working out, stress is also placed on the bones, and consuming a naturally sourced whey protein supplement can help your young athlete promote healthy bone formation and slow down bone resorption.
3. Balanced Sugar Levels
Middle-aged people are not the only ones with diabetes, as even kids as young as 13 years old can be diagnosed with it. Studies show that whey protein can have a promising effect in helping manage diabetes.
It will also give parents confidence that their young athletes are not consuming protein supplements with lots of additives like fat and sugar. Good thing Truly Grass Fed’s whey supplements are naturally-sourced, fat-free, and sugar-free!
Should Young Athletes Drink Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are minerals (calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium) essential to many critical body functions. Athletes, both young and adults, need electrolytes, especially if they are engaged in sports that make them sweat a lot.
When we sweat, we lose not only water but electrolytes too. Young athletes are active and need more hydration than those who do not have an active lifestyle. An electrolyte drink is highly recommended, especially if your young athlete is training rigorously.
We also recommend going for an electrolyte drink that uses Himalayan sea salt instead of regular sodium.
Elixir Electrolyte Mix Packets with Himalayan Sea Salt contain higher amounts of calcium, chromium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and potassium when compared to electrolyte drinks that use regular sodium. Some of the benefits of taking electrolytes include:
- Promotes sleep
- Enhances exercise performance
- Strengthens immunity
- Improves cognition
- Stabilizes blood sugar (sugar-free electrolytes)
- Strengthens muscles and bones
Should High School and College Athletes Take Creatine?
Creatine is a non-essential amino acid produced in the body (from the kidneys and liver) and from the process of breaking down food into energy. Creatine provides quick bursts of energy during exercise and helps improve cognitive ability.
It also provides heightened focus, which could be incredibly useful for youth athletes engaged in sports like Mixed Martial Arts or soccer, as it can help them gain better striking skills. Other benefits of creatine include:
- Increased muscle mass and glycogen synthesis
- Better performance when it comes to lifting and sprinting
- Faster recovery
- Prevention of injury
If you’re new to creatine and looking for a good supplement for your young athlete, then try out Transcend Creatine. It contains no fillers and is free from sugar and gluten. This means your budding olympian would get 5 grams of pure creatine monohydrate for every scoop.
So, Which Supplement Is Best For Youth Athletes?
A young athlete can use any of the three supplements we mentioned above. It would be best to know their specific needs so that they can take a supplement that would suit their active lifestyle. Like anything else, make sure to consult with a doctor first before introducing something new to your teenager’s diet.
If you’re looking to give them a guilt-free dessert after they just won a championship or simply because they deserve it, you can try out these Friends with Benefits Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Brownies!
Give Them The Best Supplements!
It could be hard to choose what supplement a youth athlete should take, but with proper guidance from parents and consultation from doctors, winning the next championship or achieving their “body goals” shouldn’t be a problem!
Earth Fed Muscle has a wide range of products that suit a youth athlete’s needs - from whey protein and sugar-free electrolytes to creatine. If you’re looking for a supplement to aid in your young athlete’s workout, it’s always best to go natural so you can be sure that they’re only getting the best.
If you don’t believe us, check out what those who’ve already tried the products have to say!