Does PediaSure help you grow taller?

Marketed as a growth formula, PediaSure plays a vital role in modern child nutrition by helping parents meet their children’s dietary needs when regular meals fall short. Its convenient shake format and proven benefits make it a popular choice among families and pediatricians aiming to improve child health and development.

Does PediaSure help you grow taller? Does it have any side effects? What are some alternatives your child can try? You will find the answers in today’s article

Let’s get started!

Pediasure and its nutritional values

What is PediaSure?

It would be a big mistake to talk about PediaSure without mentioning the company behind it, Abbott Laboratories. Abbott is a multi-nutritional healthcare corporation based in the United States, focusing on producing medical devices, nutritional supplements, diagnostics, and so on.

In 1988, Abbott’s experts successfully developed PediaSure to support individuals from 2 to 15 suffering from nutritional deficiencies. Mainly consumed in liquid form, this formulated milk aims to make it easier for people with poor appetites or eating difficulties to obtain essential vitamins and minerals. PediaSure comes in various forms (ready-to-drink milk and powder) and flavors to suit the needs of its customers. While kids and teens can enjoy the first option instantly, the latter requires mixing with hot water to be drinkable.

Abbott introduces five main types of PediaSure:

• PediaSure Grow and Gain: Specialized in boosting healthy height and weight gain, PediaSure Grow and Gain is the most popular choice among many parents. The firm even comes out with PediaSure Grow and Gain with added fiber to aid digestion and metabolism [1].

• PediaSure Sidekicks: This formula focuses on bridging the vitamin and mineral gaps for kids to help them keep up with their peers. Hence, it includes 40% more protein and fewer calories.

• PediaSure Pro: One of the latest products designed for teens and preteens aged 9 to 15 with extra micronutrients to enhance immunity, bone growth, and muscle production.

• Specialty: People who require tube feeding can opt for this choice.

• Organic: The product lines that have organic certification.

Nutritional values of PediaSure

Abbott proudly claims that thin children drinking two full glasses of PediaSure a day will begin to gain weight after 8 weeks, not to mention the height improvements. So, what exactly does the formula contain to bring such impressive results?

Below are the nutritional facts of the three most popular PediaSure products:

As listed above, PediaSure packs a considerable amount of protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber that contribute to the overall health of consumers. On the other hand, the calorie count and fat content are quite noticeable. Hence, if your kids are at normal growth and have no sign of malnutrition, drinking a lot of PediaSure is not ideal.

Is PediaSure good for your health?

In a reasonable amount, PediaSure can benefit physical and neurological development in kids and teenagers.

Solve malnutrition problems

The global population faces a greater risk of malnutrition due to inadequate nutrition intake and health conditions. All ages and genders can be the victims of underweight, thinness, and stunned height. According to the World Health Organization’s statistics, in 2022, nearly 190 million individuals aged 5–19 were too thin for their age, whereas 148 million children under 5 were stunted [2].

By making essential nutrients more available and easier to absorb, PediaSure is trusted to solve their urgent health problems. Scientific studies also recorded the usage of PediaSure to treat severe malnourishment of Pakistani children, though more research is required [3]. 

Support bone and mass muscle production

The two most vital components for bone growth are calcium and vitamin D, which most of us cannot get enough from daily meals [4]. As 99% of bones are calcium, a constant supply can help strengthen body frames and prevent bone loss. With the addition of vitamin D, the process of bone formation becomes faster, especially for those in puberty.

Moreover, PediaSure is rich in protein for muscle growth, around 7-10 g per bottle, depending on the variety. 

Aid brain functions

Oceanic fish like salmon and tuna are an abundant source of omega-3, but not everyone enjoys its fishy taste and flaky texture. Kids and picky eaters may refuse to finish other foods on the plate cooked with fish. Thus, the extra DHA Omega-3 in PediaSure comes in handy to help boost thinking skills, memories, and healthy brain aging [5].

Does PediaSure help you grow taller?

Like many high-quality height growth supplements, PediaSure can boost the vertical development of kids and teens with open epiphyseal plates. The crucial vitamins and minerals ensure the kids have the highest chance of reaching their full height potential. However, PediaSure alone is not enough. Parents should pair it with balanced meals, exercise levels, hydration, and sleep to optimize growth spurts. Although adults cannot earn extra inches by drinking PediaSure, they can still attain desirable weight with this product.

Other foods and supplements help you grow taller

If you decide to redesign your kids’ diet to level up their height growth, you can consider adding these ingredients and supplements to your cart:

• Legumes and leafy greens: Beans and veggies are densely packed with dietary protein and fiber to keep you full longer. Do not need mid-day snacks that may lead to obesity.

• Meat and seafood: Chicken and beef are versatile and full of lean protein that helps enlarge your body’s frame. Besides, if your little ones do not mind seafood, they make nutritious cooking ingredients.

• Fruit: Compared to greens, these are kid-friendly options. Plus, they host tons of vitamins and water to fuel your active babies all day.

• Height growth supplements: There are various brands to choose from, but you should get one that is science-backed and high-quality. NuBest Tall Protein (Vanilla and Chocolate flavor) is an ideal alternative to PediaSure. If your kids prefer capsules or fizzy tablets, NuBest Nutrition has it all.

In a nutshell,

PediaSure from the Abbott Company is a specialized supplement for children and teens with nutrition problems. When used constantly with proper diet and physical activities, the product can improve the consumer's weight and stature. However, it is best to consult with your health caregivers before adjusting your child’s diet for safety.

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References:

[1] Anderson JW;Baird P;Davis RH;Ferreri S;Knudtson M;Koraym A;Waters V;Williams CL; (n.d.). Health benefits of dietary fiber. Nutrition reviews. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19335713/

[2] World Health Organization. (n.d.-a). Fact sheets - malnutrition. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malnutrition

[3] T;, A. D. F. (n.d.). Pediasure in the treatment of severe malnutrition in Pakistani children. JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11126814/ 

[4] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023, August 4). Calcium and vitamin D: Important for Bone Health. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/calcium-and-vitamin-d-important-bone-health 

[5] González, F. E., & Báez, R. V. (2017). In time: Importance of omega 3 in children’s Nutrition. Revista paulista de pediatria : orgao oficial da Sociedade de Pediatria de Sao Paulo. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5417803/