Anonymous wrote:We also like the fair life.

Those are full of sucralose. Your ok with your child consuming that regularly?

No. I don’t get the insistence on more protein to lose weight. It doesn’t work like that. He needs less food if wants to lose weight; fewer calories and more activity. A kid would likely use this as a beverage…not as a snack or as a meal replacement. So they may end up with even more calories in.

I would purchase Horizon Organics white milk in the little cartons for a healthy and nutritious snack or beverage on the go instead. And also echoing what other saying about not worrying about this. As long as he isn’t eating tons of junk or binging, his body size will be what it will be. Just work on heathy habits

We also like the fair life.

Both of my sons had a tendency to fill out right before a growth spurt at that age. So unless the chubbiness is a long-standing thing, you might start by reassuring him that weight fluctuations can be a normal part of the growth cycle. That doesn't mean we shouldn't recognize it and refocus on healthy behaviors, just that it's not something to freak out about.

How active is he? If he's a typical tween who eats moderately well with some junk food but spends a lot of time on a computer, I'd focus on activity over diet-y type foods. Would he be up for starting a running program? Lifting weights? (If you do that, make sure he learns properly - the wrong technique can lead to injury very quickly.) Joining a team sport? Whatever sounds like something he'd enjoy and can sustain in the long run, as long as it gets him moving for 45+ minutes 2-3 times a week. My younger son got one of those doorway pull-up bars when he was 12 and LOVED it - and mostly loved that he could do a zillion pull-ups while I, his mom, am completely incapable of doing anything more than hanging from it. Another tween in our circle got a punching bag and will spend an hour with it every day.

If he does eat a lot of junk food, I'd cut that down before moving to 'food substitutes' like protein drinks. Just eat real, normal food. Make sure the house is stocked with easy filling snacks like cheese sticks, trail mix, fruit. Don't make junk food off-limits, just reduced. I personally treat junk food like alcohol - fine to enjoy in moderation in social settings, but not something to binge on or consume emptily while sitting on a couch by myself.

Does he exercise or play sports? An 11 year old should have almost unlimited energy and recovery time of 5 minutes.

When my boys were younger than 11 one may have been getting little hefty after stopping baseball and soccer.

We got a trampoline that they took to and love and that thing burns about 10,000 calories a minute I think.
It should come with a defibrillator.

I think it’s ok now and again.
Maybe have one as a snack and try to do 3 healthy meals a day along with that.

He doesn't need to lose weight. Many boys get a little chubby just before they sprout up.

Look at the Fair Life Core Power drinks for protein.

I use those in smoothies for my kids as the liquid/sweetener portion because we have a diabetic family member who we stock them for. It’s a fine choice along with a healthy diet. I prefer the fairlife ones for my kids, and I blend them with frozen berries and sometimes spinach or hemp seeds, whatever add ins are in the pantry. I would try to incorporate it that way to make it a filling healthy snack.

If he's asking, try taking him to a nutritionist. That way you're not guessing or taking short cuts. Professional input would be healthier in the long run.

It’s a tough age. Kids are starting to grow and do so in different ways. My nephews both put on some “bulk” at that age prior to big growth spurts. It could be the same way with your son.

I’d talk to him about making healthy choices and help him learn to prep healthier snacks and family meals. The summer would be a good time to do this. I’m going to try to do the same with my tweens/early teens this summer. They are small for their ages, but I see them reaching for the unhealthy stuff and would like to create good habits early.

No, this is not the answer. TBH, I will occasionally drink them when I know I will not have a chance to have lunch (usually due to something at work), they are very filling but I am sure ultraprocessed and filled with chemicals, plus I am a 53 year old adult.

The research on highly processed foods like protein shakes is clear.

Umm, just cut out the junk food. He'll lose weight easily.

No. You lose weight by eating less calories than you burn. Would he drink this instead of a meal? In addition to? Both are horrible ideas and there is no need for an 11 year old to drink this. Work out and eat less.

Please no hate. My tween DS is asking me how to lose weight and wants to work out. He's at that kinda chubby age/height and kids are picking on him at school. Instead of him eating junk foods, do you think a Premier Shake is ok for an 11-year-old? I'm not sure what the sugar substitute is and if long-term use of it could affect him. Thanks in advance.