Is PediaSure Good For Kids? Its Benefits & Side Effects

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A child’s healthy, all-round development depends largely on their balanced nutrition, dietary needs, and healthy eating habits. 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.

What Is PediaSure?

PediaSure is a clinically proven nutritional supplement specifically targeted towards pediatric consumers, that is, children. The product has several variants, with the primary ones sold in the form of powder, which can be dissolved in milk or water before serving to a child. PediaSure has several key attributes, such as the presence of 27 nutrients, that benefit children. The product promotes healthy bone growth in children, assists in developing stronger and longer bones, and strengthens the immune system (1) (2). PediaSure particularly helps malnourished children who are unable to get enough nutrients from their daily diet. Serving the supplement increases nutrition intake and improves weight gain in kids (3).

Is PediaSure Good For Kids?

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.”

Most PediaSure products claim to be rich in high-quality protein and essential vitamins and minerals, which are crucial for adequate child nutrition. These nutrients are necessary to support the growth and development of children. Besides, all of them are glutenⁱA naturally occurring protein found in cereals, such as wheat, rye, and barley -free and hence relatively easy on the gut.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s findings report that 4.1% of children and adolescents aged two to 19 years have been identified as underweight.

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 (4).

Thus, the product can be considered good for under-nourished children when given under medical supervision. Consult your doctor for guidance.

Did you know?

A 2018 research study showed that PediaSure oral nutritional supplement (ONC) with dietary counseling could help gain weight and reduce upper respiratory tract infections in picky-eating children (5).

At What Age Can Kids Drink PediaSure?

Depending on the variant, the manufacturer recommends PediaSure for children from two years to 13 years (6). 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 (7).  Hence, parents should always verify PediaSure powder’s age limit by referring to the product’s description to ensure that it suits their child’s age and nutritional requirements.

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 vanilla can be incorporated into salad dressings, pancake batter, pita fillings, and other healthy breakfast and snack recipes.

• Other flavors of PediaSure, such as chocolate, strawberry, or banana, can also be added to oatmeal, breakfast cereals, smoothies, or plain unsweetened yogurt to enrich their taste.

Quick fact

PediaSure Grow and Gain shakes is a gluten-free product suitable even for lactoseⁱA naturally occurring sugar found in milk and its products intolerant children. It is claimed to meet 100% of the recommended dietary intake for protein (6).

Image: Shutterstock

What Is The Nutritional Composition of PediaSure?

There are several variants of PediaSure available in the market, targeting children of different age groups and with varying recommended portions. Some important micronutrients, macronutrients, and minerals are found in balanced composition in every product type. These include protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B6, B12, D2, E, and K, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, choline, and folic acid, and minerals including calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, selenium and manganese (5). The specific quantities of these nutrients vary depending on the PediaSure product type.

What Are The Various Products Of PediaSure?

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.

1. PediaSure Grow and Gain is a product formulated for children who are lacking appropriate growth (6). It comes in variants, such as PediaSure Grow and Gain, PediaSure Grow and Gain with Fiber, PediaSure Grow and Gain Organic, and PediaSure Grow and Gain Shake Mix (7).

2. PediaSure Side Kicks is designed to fill the nutritional gaps in a child’s diet and helps kids catch up on their growth (8). According to the maker, this product provides extra protein and fewer calories when compared to PediaSure Grow and Gain. PediaSure Side Kicks is suitable for fussy eaters.

3. PediaSure 1.5 Cal has high caloric density to meet the high energy demands of children at risk of malnutrition (9). It has one variant, PediaSure 1.5 Cal with Fiber.

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.

Is PediaSure Helpful For Picky Eaters?

PediaSure’s balanced nutritional composition could help picky-eating children get their recommended daily value of nutrients. Young children often display picky eating, which is characterized by a refusal to consume certain foods or a strong preference for one type of food or food items (5) (10). These preferences could cause the child to miss out on food items that can be excellent sources of certain vital nutrients, affecting the child’s healthy development.

A study indicated that the regular use of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) could maintain the weight of picky eaters and improve their nutritional status (3). According to another study, ONS improved the nutritional status of nutritionally at-risk picky eaters with upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and provided enhanced protection against relapse of URTI (6).

How Much PediaSure Can Children Drink In A Day?

According to PediaSure, the recommended servings depend on the child’s age. In children aged one to eight years, it is recommended to give up to two servings each day, while children aged nine to ten years can consume about three servings (11).

However, it is still recommended that you consult 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 and supplements.

Claimed Health Benefits of PediaSure For Children

The following are purported benefits of consuming PediaSure. However, there is currently no independent scientific research available to substantiate these claims.

1. Supports growth and development: PediaSure contains high-quality protein, calcium, and vitamin-D3. The regular consumption of this drink with well-balanced, healthy foods for kids could help one gain weight and height within 24 weeks. PediaSure claims that this benefit is clinically proven in children between the ages of three-four years. Its consumption may also help underweight children in gaining weight.

Image: IStock

2. Strengthens the immune system: PediaSure is said to contain antioxidant compounds such as vitamins C and E and selenium. These nutrients can play a vital role in strengthening the immune system.

Apart from the above nutritional benefits, some other general benefits of PediaSure are:

3. Gluten-free: Some healthy drinks for kids contain gluten that is not suitable for children with gluten sensitivity, intolerance, or allergy. PediaSure might be a choice since all its variants are gluten-free and good for digestive health as well.

4. Suitable for lactose intolerant children: Products are labeled as “suitable for lactose intolerance” when they contain lactose at a level that does not seem to affect anyone with lactose intolerance. PediaSure claims to contain less than four grams of lactose per liter as fed, or less than 0.5 grams of lactose per serving as fed. However, it is a milk-based formula and needs to be avoided in children with cow milk allergy and galactosemiaⁱA disorder that impacts the body’s ability to process a simple sugar, galactose .

5. Improves bone density: Vitamin D and calcium are essential for healthy skeletal and bone growth. In particular, vitamin D plays a crucial role in achieving healthy bone density (12). All the variants of PediaSure contain a good amount of vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and calcium (5). Thus, regular consumption of PediaSure can help improve bone density in children.

6. Build muscles: Protein is an essential nutrient that promotes muscle growth and builds new muscles (13). PediaSure includes about 6.4g of protein in every 45.5g serving (5).

Image: Shutterstock

The product also claims to be free of artificial growth hormones and is Kosher and Halal-certified.  

Safety Considerations While Using PediaSure

Like any other supplement, it is important to follow the dosage and quantity of PediaSure, as recommended by the pediatrician. Also, it should be noted that consumption of Pediasure may lead to certain side effects.

Do Nutritional Supplements For Children Have Side Effects?

Image: IStock

There might be some side effects of consuming nutritional supplements, such as PediaSure.

1. Sugar content: Supplements contain total natural sugar in the form of plain sugar, corn syrup, and corn maltodextrinⁱA white powder made from vegetable starch, used as a food additive or flavor enhancer that all have a high glycemic glycemic indexⁱA rating system that shows how a specific food affects the blood sugar levels (GI). Thus, in the case of a healthy child, nutritional supplements might contribute to weight gain but at the same time it could be unsuitable for those who are already overweight or obese, as it may exacerbate further weight gain. Additionally, it may contribute to dental caries (14). Pediasure, with its high sugar content of 37 grams per 100 grams, presents similar risks. Out of this amount, approximately 19 grams can be attributed to “added sugars” (15).The consistent intake of added sugar by children results in significant spikes in blood sugar levels over time (9), rendering it unsuitable for kids with diabetes.

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.”

2. Gastrointestinal issues: Components, such as fiber and soy protein isolate, when consumed in high amounts, could lead to gastrointestinal issues such as constipation, bloating, and nausea. It might probably happen in children who consume fiber from several different food sources (16).

3. Might replace normal food: A child may feel full after consuming the beverage and may reject their next meal. Also, in the long term, there might be a risk of the child preferring high sugar foods. The probability of this incidence depends on several factors, including excess consumption without consulting a pediatrician.

Expert says

According to experts, “Nutritional supplements like PediaSure can cause a child’s taste to adapt to a preference for sweeter beverages. It can also lead to intake of more calories, which further limits the amount of food they eat (17).”

Image: IStock

Frequently Asked Questions

Infographic: How Does PediaSure Affect A Child’s Health?

PediaSure is a nutritional drink typically recommended by healthcare providers for children who don’t get enough nutrients from their diet alone. So, scroll through the infographic below to learn about potential benefits and health risks associated with PediaSure in children.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: PediaSure For Kids - Benefits And Side Effects

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

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Dr. Umera Zakiahmed SaiyedBHMS

Dr. Umera Zakiahmed Saiyed is a homoeopathic consultant and runs her own clinic Noor. She pursued her BHMS from Yerela Medical College in Kharghar, Mumbai and worked as an assistant doctor under a gynaecologist in Surat, Gujarat.

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• 
  Dr. Leah AlexanderMD, FAAP Dr. Leah Alexander is a board-certified pediatrician who provides medical care in an outpatient setting in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. She has also been working as a pediatrician with Medical Doctors Associates at Pediatricare Associates, New Jersey, since 2005. Dr. Alexander holds a bachelor's degree in Health Science from Kalamazoo College and a Doctor of Medicine degree from Michigan State University.
  
  Dr. Leah Alexander is a board-certified pediatrician who provides medical care in an outpatient setting in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. She has also been working as a pediatrician with Medical Doctors Associates at Pediatricare Associates, New Jersey, since 2005. Dr. Alexander holds a bachelor's degree in Health Science from Kalamazoo College and a Doctor of Medicine degree from Michigan State University.

Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children.

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Rohit GarooBSc, MBA

Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University.

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Dr. Joyani DasM.Pharm, PhD

Dr. Joyani Das did her post-graduation from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra and PhD in Pharmacology. Previously, she worked as an associate professor, faculty of Pharmacology, for two years. With her research background in preclinical studies and a zeal for scientific writing, she joined MomJunction as a health writer.

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