3 min readNew DelhiNov 15, 2026 10:56 AM ISTHow early is too early to give a child protein? (Magnific)AI Narration Listen 00:000.5x0.75x1x1.25x1.5x2xDigital creator Pratika Thakur recently took to Instagram to share what it feels like to be raised by a nutritionist, dropping a few controversial habits common in her household but “not really common in anyone else’s house”. “I started consuming protein powders when I was one year old, and I started whey protein when I was twelve years old. My mom used to mix it in rotis and give it to me,” she shared, adding: “I never had chocos and milk or anything like that before school. I used to have a protein shake with a fruit every day.”Thakur also mentioned that every single member of her family lifts weights. “If you come to my house, snacks offered are like makhana, walnuts or something. If we wanted to eat junk food, we would have to eat our food before that, or else have a protein shake before that,” she concluded. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pratika Thakur (@pratika.x)Is it safe to have protein shakes this young?Dt. Gulnaaz Shaikh, chief dietitian at KIMS Hospitals, Thane, says the body already experiences natural growth spurts when a person is young, and hormones and adequate food intake support this growth.“Having protein shakes early on may not directly inhibit growth, but it may displace whole foods, which are very important during these years, and the full spectrum of nutrients that whole foods have. Whole foods also provide vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre in addition to protein,” she told indianexpress.com.According to her, protein shakes are simply concentrated sources of protein. “They work best when combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise. They are helpful when it comes to meeting elevated protein targets, but they can be avoided for teenagers who can more easily accomplish their protein goals through food,” she suggests, adding that waiting also allows for focusing on healthy eating rather than on a protein shake for supplementation or convenience during a young person’s food development stage.ALSO READ | ‘35 to 40 grams of protein. Under Rs 500’: Fitness trainer shares daughter’s dietBeware of too much proteinSheikh also said that you need to be cognisant of portion size. “More protein does not equal a good result, and you could cause too much stress on your kidneys with an excessive amount. Therefore, she pointed out that we also need to consider daily dietary routine first. “If a person already can meet their protein needs completely through food, protein shakes may not even be necessary,” Shaikh shared.Rather than trying to consume a large amount of protein in one meal, she suggested distributing it across breakfast, lunch, dinner, and one or two healthy snacks. “This approach not only improves protein absorption but also helps you feel full longer, supports muscle recovery, and keeps energy levels steady,” the expert concluded.DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd For more lifestyle news, click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and also follow us on InstagramTags:nutritionproteinAdvertisementLoading Recommendations...Nov 15: Latest News01The Jadeja connection: How Jamnagar shaped Mohit Ulva, India U-19’s unlikely hero02Step inside Varun Dhawan’s 4BHK Juhu home: Black-and-white interiors, vintage lights and warm wood03Mohit’s the man: Number ten ends Pak’s reign as India become U-19 Asian champs04Your passport is valid, but you could still be denied boarding: here’s why0519,000+ entrepreneurs, 5 months, 450 trainings: Delhi govt on MSME focusAdvertisementLive BlogNvidia CEO Jensen Huang News Live Updates: Former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang misled top executives over affair, report says27 minutes agoIndia Vs New Zealand Live Score, 5th ODI: Yash Thakur falls for 0 in IND vs NZ match in Mount Maunganui28 minutes agoIndia News Live Updates, 15 November 2026: Delhi’s AQI worsens to 350, pollution levels cross 400 in many areas29 minutes agoRamayana box office collection Day 10 Live Updates: Ranbir Kapoor film records biggest second Saturday ever, beats Dhurandhar 2 and Chhaava40 minutes agoWorld News Updates: Maldives moves to make ban on Israeli passport holders permanent4 days agoAdvertisement