One of the most common misconceptions about whey proteins is mistaking them for steroids. Legitimate products do not contain anabolics. Instead, they should have the nine essential amino acids, which are crucial to building up muscles.

Beginners, particularly teens, should not be careless when consuming protein powder. The one mistake they make is to take more on the misguided notion that it will accelerate their weight gain.

If your kid is into competitive sports, the recommended daily intake would be from 1-1.4 grams per kilogram each day. That is more than the average person’s daily needs. The extra protein will help promote muscle growth, muscle recovery and repair, and energy to sustain their activities.

For example, a 110-pound athlete should consume about 73 grams of protein each day. They can get this from eating lean meats, dairy products, nuts, and beans. However, it might not be enough, which is why they take protein powder.

Manufacturers claim because the industry is not regulated in most countries. The Therapeutic Goods Administration is looking to crack down on these false claims and classifying food supplements as medicine.

Will the Product Show Up in Tests?

Here is another concern for young athletes and their parents. If the school or organisation tests for PED (performance-enhancing drugs), will they show up positive on account of the protein powder?

If you are only buying from legitimate sources, the ingredients should not contain unadulterated substances. The product does not have anabolic steroids–a common substance tested in competitive sports.

On the question of safety, again, if you buy online from legit suppliers, you should not be worried. Even doctors recommend a medical nutrition shake containing protein to kids who are undernourished due to an illness. For example, pediatric cancer patients benefit from taking protein products that contain omega-3 fatty acids.

Although protein powders are sold at varying prices, expensive does not necessarily mean the best. As long as they contain all the essential amino acids, then they should have similar results. However, some manufacturers add in other ingredients to boost the absorption of nutrients in the body. But again, they would not show up in tests because these are not banned substances.

Red flag

The market size for protein supplements was worth USD 17.55 billion by the end of 2019. By 2027, it is projected to balloon to USD 32 billion on a compound annual growth rate of eight per cent. As you can see, it is a massive business.

So, it is easy to understand that some manufacturers will piggyback on its popularity to make a profit. Unfortunately, they make outrageous claims and are lackadaisical about safety, which would put consumers at risk.

It is not true that taking in more protein will accelerate the results. Even if you double or triple your daily dose from the RDA, it does nothing to build more size or strength. You need physical activities to trigger the synthesis of protein, which then boosts the muscle mass.

One red flag you should watch out for is that you are quickly gaining weight. The protein powder should naturally help you gain weight–which means that you are doing the entire regimen, as well. If you are hulking up in just a couple of days, the product contains anabolics.