In this review
In this review
One in 7 kids fall short on protein intake - and the impact goes beyond muscle development.1 Protein supports kids’ muscle and tissue development, physical height, immune function, brain development, and more.
We enlisted the help of Victoria Whittington, RDN, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, to help us understand if & when kids need a protein supplement and the factors that actually matter when choosing one.
Combining Whittington’s expertise with hands-on testing from TCD parents on staff, we evaluated the most popular kids’ protein powders – Hiya Kids Daily Growth + Protein, Orgain Kids Protein Nutrition Shake Mix, PediaSure Grow & Gain Shake Mix, and TruHeight Kids & Teens Growth Protein Shake.
One clear winner stood out on ingredients quality, taste, third-party testing, and value. Read on to find out our top pick.
Should My Child Take a Protein Supplement?
The average child meets minimum protein requirements (19g protein/day for kids aged 4-8) with diet alone. But active children or kids going through growth spurts need much more protein – up to 60-75g/day.2 Insufficient intake can lead to delayed growth, weakened immune response, decreased muscle development, and more.1,2
We asked Whittington whether most children could benefit from a protein supplement. In short: probably.
“A protein supplement is helpful when a child has higher-than-average needs or consistently falls short on protein-rich foods,” Whittington explains. “This includes highly active children, picky eaters, kids going through growth spurts, or kids with sensory aversions.” Protein is especially important for children “because they’re actively building tissue.”
.webp)
Choosing the Right Protein Supplement
What should parents look for when choosing a kids’ protein powder? For Whittington, three factors matter most: protein quality, added sweeteners, and third-party testing.
- On protein source: “A kids’ protein supplement should provide all nine essential amino acids needed for growth - milk proteins are a good choice. Isolates are higher in protein and lower in lactose than concentrates, making them easier to digest.”
- On added sugar: “Avoid added sugar. Children already get enough sugar from other foods throughout the day, so it adds up quickly.”
- On third-party testing: “Third-party testing is one of the most important quality markers in any supplement, but especially in products designed for children.”
How do Hiya, Orgain, PediaSure, and TruHeight compare? Let’s find out.
Protein Supplements Compared:
Green = Best, Yellow = Mid-pack, Red = Last
Ingredients: Hiya Wins with Zero Added Sugar & Growth-Focused Ingredients
Protein powder ingredient lists can be confusing, often including hard-to-pronounce ingredients and additives. But there’s one ingredient we always recommend avoiding: sugar. Many brands rely on added sugars for taste, but they can disrupt the gut microbiome, may contribute to obesity and cavities, and shape kids’ taste preferences toward overly sweet foods.3,4
Hiya Kids Daily Growth + Protein stands out as the one protein powder with zero added sugar or stevia. Hiya’s powder uses monk fruit extract – a natural sweetener – and has zero grams of added sugar. TruHeight also has zero added sugar, but uses stevia for sweetness – a refined sweetener that has been shown to cause bloating and gas.5 Orgain packs in 6g of added sugar per serving, and PediaSure is the worst offender with 8g of added sugar per serving.
Hiya also wins on protein source and nutritional support. Hiya packs in 8g of protein per serving from grass-fed whey protein isolate – “a high-quality, complete protein that's easy to digest and well-suited for growth support." Hiya is the only brand in our test with a growth-focused formula, including a targeted amino acid blend for tissue development, healthy fats for balanced nutrition, a mineral blend for bone strength, and organic inulin for gut health.
TruHeight delivers 16g of protein per serving from a blend of whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate. More protein than Hiya, but maltodextrin – a highly-processed filler – is the first ingredient. TruHeight also relies on a gum blend (guar gum, gum acacia, xanthan gum) that Whittington says may cause digestive upset in some kids. It doesn’t include added amino acids or healthy fats for balanced nutrition – meaning their bodies may struggle to feel full throughout the day and fully absorb the high protein.6
Orgain delivers 8g of protein per serving from a blend of whey protein concentrate, organic whole milk powder, and organic milk protein concentrate. Whittington says whey concentrate "usually contains more lactose and less protein by weight" than isolate, making it harder for some kids to digest.
PediaSure has the lowest protein content at 6g per serving – less protein than sugar (8g)! It also includes fillers like corn maltodextrin and a blend of vegetable oils (high oleic sunflower, canola, corn).
Taste: It’s A Tie
The most nutritious protein powder can’t help if children won’t drink it consistently. TCD mom Shannon tested all four brands with her kids, Kayla (4yo) and Sam (6yo), mixing each per package directions.
In our taste test, Hiya Kids Daily Growth + Protein ties with PediaSure for best taste. Hiya’s Sweet Cream flavor mixes smoothly into milk or water with a naturally creamy, vanilla taste. Kayla actually asked for it the next day – and as parents, we felt good serving a powder with zero added sugar, real food flavorings, and no artificial sweeteners. PediaSure also won our kids over with its sweet vanilla taste – but that flavor comes from 8g of added sugar, plus corn syrup. The kids loved it; we were less enthusiastic.
TruHeight came in second with a Vanilla Ice Cream flavor that mixed well and our kids enjoyed, but not as much as Hiya or PediaSure. The stevia did give it that classic artificial aftertaste.
Orgain came in last. The texture was chalky and slightly grainy - our kids couldn’t finish their glasses. The added sugar didn’t mask the powdered milk taste as effectively as we expected.
Third-Party Testing: Hiya Wins
For kids’ supplements, Third-Party Testing should be top of mind for parents. “Unlike medications, the FDA does not test supplements for safety or accuracy7 before they hit shelves,” says Whittington, “so third-party verification is critical.”
Certifications like Clean Label Project test for contaminants that do not appear on the label, such as heavy metals, pesticide residues, and plasticizers.8 We compared the third-party testing of all four brands.
Hiya Kids Daily Growth + Protein is the only supplement in our test that is both Third-Party Tested for heavy metals by FDA-registered laboratories AND Clean Label Project Purity Awarded – meaning it contains non-detectable levels of heavy metals or other contaminants. For us, the rigorous screening for purity and safety added extra peace of mind.
TruHeight states that its products are Third-Party Tested in an FDA-registered facility, but does not carry the Clean Label Purity certification.
Orgain and PediaSure do not publish Third-Party Testing information or carry Clean Label certifications on their kids’ protein powder products.
Price & Value: Hiya Wins
How does cost per serving compare?
Hiya Kids Daily Growth + Protein is the best value at $2.10/serving with TCD’s discount. The best value by far for a clean, sugar-free, complete-growth formula that’s third-party tested and Clean Label Purity Awarded.
PediaSure is the cheapest option at $1.60/serving, but has the lowest protein content and the most added sugar.
Orgain is mid-pack at $2.50/serving for a similar protein-per-serving offering to Hiya but 6g of added sugar and no known Third-Party Testing.
TruHeight is the most expensive at $3/serving – nearly double the price of Hiya for a product that uses filler ingredients, added sweeteners, and questionable-quality protein sources.
The Overall Winner: Hiya
Which kids’ protein powder is actually best? After our hands-on testing and analysis, we recommend the protein powder that delivers 8g of grass-fed whey protein isolate, a targeted amino acid blend for growth, healthy fats, essential minerals, and prebiotic fiber – all with zero added sugar and Clean Label Project Purity certification. And that’s Hiya.
Whittington, our Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, agrees: “I feel confident recommending Hiya. It’s the strongest formulation that prioritizes nutritional quality, transparency, and practicality.”
Ready to try Hiya? With TCD, you can save 50% on your first order and get free shipping. Hiya also offers discounts for families with more than one child.
References:
