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Expert Q&A

 

By Cynthia Lair
Nutritionist

My 11-year-old son wants to drink protein shakes instead of eating some meals. Is this OK?

Eleven years old is too young to be replacing meals with protein shakes. Powdered formulas can never replace the vital enzymes, vitamin and minerals and life energy that can be found in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, fish, eggs and other wholesome fresh food.. If he is intent on the shake idea let him make smoothies out of bananas, fresh fruit and yogurt for breakfast or snacks. If he wants to lose weight, increase the amount of vegetables and fruits he eats at every meal and decrease the amounts of refined flours, junk food, sodas and sugar that he eats.

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