Protein-enriched foods are all the rage. Are they OK for kids to consume?

Protein continues to be all the rage in the world of food – everything from popcorn to cookies to pasta are getting added boosts of protein.

Research has shown numerous benefits to upping protein intake, including reducing risk of some diseases, providing a wide variety of nutrients that help your body function properly and serving as the basis for your bones, muscles, blood, cartilage, hormones and skin, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). But as adults across the country reexamine their own daily protein allotments, many are also wondering if the same should be done for their children.

Should kids be getting in on the protein powder, shake and bar craze, too? And how much protein do they actually need? Pediatric dietitian Lauren Mahesri, RD, explains everything grownups need to know when serving up protein to children.

What is the best protein powder? Dietitian shares the 'healthiest' kind.

Protein is necessary for everyone, regardless of age, to help their bodies function properly. But children's protein needs are different.