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For National Kids Eat Right Month, explore the opportunities in convenient, nutrient-dense food options for kids, targeting B2B channels where nutrition is a top priority. Glanbia offers product development, collaboration, and more.
“As a parent, I can empathize with other parents who want to ensure they are providing convenient, wholesome snacks their kids enjoy,” said Pat Cavanaugh, CEO of Ready, a sports and active nutrition company that recently expanded into nutritious snacks for kids.1
With 8 grams of whole grains, 6 grams of protein, and 20% less sugar than other snack bars, Ready’s Clean Kids Protein Bars were “designed to support the health and vitality of children.”2 The bars are now available at Walmart, Amazon, and other retailers in a variety of kid-friendly flavors like chocolate brownie and iced oatmeal cookie.
In honor of National Kids Eat Right Month, we look at what it takes to create nutritious, convenient products that delight children and their parents.
Each August, Kids Eat Right Month highlights an important initiative of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Academy Foundation focused on ending childhood obesity and teaching kids healthy eating habits for life.
This initiative, known as Kids Eat Right, encourages members to take action in schools and communities through obesity-prevention efforts and family nutrition education. Helping families learn how to shop smart and eat well starts with understanding what a nutritious diet for kids truly looks like.
Learn more about how Glanbia Nutritionals supports early life nutrition for kids and teens here.
A well-balanced diet is crucial for supporting children’s growth, development, and overall health. This includes adequate amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals from nutrient-dense foods, while minimizing “empty calorie” options and consuming reasonable portion sizes.
Here are some key recommendations for supporting healthy nutrition for kids:
As children grow, their calorie needs increase, making it even more important that those extra calories come from nutrient-rich sources to ensure all nutrient needs are met. Nutrient-dense food for kids includes fat-free or low-fat dairy products, whole grains, beans, lean meats, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.
These options should contain little or no added sugars, salt, and saturated fat. Snacks, in particular, provide a great opportunity for parents to promote nutrient density—for example, handing their kids apple slices with peanut butter or a kids’ nutrition bar instead of chips or candy.
Many children fall short on key nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, potassium, and dietary fiber, largely due to low intake of specific food groups and subgroups. For example, by late adolescence, vegetable consumption drops to about half of the recommended amount, with a strong preference for starchy vegetables over more nutrient-rich options like red, orange, and dark green vegetables.
While overall grain intake is generally sufficient, whole grain intake is too low for children across all age groups. In addition, dairy intake tends to decline throughout childhood. Products that include foods or nutrients from these low intake categories can help bridge these gaps.
Another nutritional concern for children is the high consumption of sugar that tends to occur throughout childhood. Sugary beverages, which range from sodas and fruit drinks, are a particular problem as they are often high in calories without contributing essential nutrients.
Since palatability plays a key role in whether children accept foods and beverages, manufacturers must strike a balance. This might involve reducing added sugars while boosting the flavor system or incorporating nutrient-dense sources of sweetness like dried fruit.
Nutrition is definitely a priority for today’s families, with 84% of parents agreeing it’s the most important attribute when feeding their household.3 However, convenience is close behind. In fact, nearly half (48%) of parents say they would pay more for foods that are easy to prepare, highlighting a strong demand for time-saving options that are also nutritious.4
Single-serving foods, which provide ease of use and portion control, are especially valuable to parents, with 59% saying this is important to them.5
| Meal or Food Attribute | % of Parents with Kids Under 18 in the Household |
|---|---|
| Nutritionally well-rounded | 84% |
| Easy for me to prepare | 81% |
| Quick to prepare | 79% |
| Easy to clean up | 78% |
| Easy for my kids to prepare themselves | 74% |
| Does not require special ingredients | 70% |
| Does not require additional ingredients | 65% |
| Single serving | 59% |
Mealtimes can be particularly challenging for larger families. Despite breakfast typically being the simplest meal, almost half (49%) of parents with three or more kids find breakfast to be stressful.6 Products like single-serve kids’ bars and yogurts can offer much-needed relief, making busy mornings easier while still delivering on nutrition and taste.
Nutrition company Ready, known for its protein powders, sports drinks, and protein bars, saw the opportunity to transform one of its adult products into a nutritious, kid-friendly solution. Ready Clean Kids Protein Bars contain less protein than the company’s standard 15-gram protein bar, which targets sports nutrition consumers seeking muscle recovery support, and it contains more whole grains.
Ready’s Kids bars also come in a smaller bar size (35 grams instead of 52 grams) and in several fun flavors that appeal to kids. With Glanbia Nutritionals’ whey protein and pea protein, and expert product development support, Ready launched an innovative product that’s nutritious and convenient, meeting a real need for kids and parents.
| Bar Attribute | % of Adults Who Bought Bars for a Child in Past 3 Mo. |
|---|---|
| Something my kids like to eat | 44% |
| Made with natural ingredients | 43% |
| High protein | 36% |
| Made with whole ingredients | 32% |
| Low sugar | 28% |
| Something my kids can open easily | 25% |
| High fiber | 23% |
Last year, the $286 million US kids’ protein bar segment grew by 12%.7 During this time, however, sales of Ready’s Kids bars grew 833%, making it one of the country’s top-selling kids’ bars.8
These bars contain among the highest levels of protein in the kids' bar market—something parents are paying attention to. More than one-third of parents look for high protein when they buy kids’ bars, making protein almost as important to them as natural ingredients.9
To succeed in the kids’ food and snack market, manufacturers should focus on creating nutrient-dense food for kids that also meets taste expectations. This starts with choosing high-quality ingredients rich in essential nutrients—such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and legumes—while minimizing added sugars, sodium, and saturated fats.
Incorporating fun shapes, vibrant colors from natural sources, and familiar flavors can also help boost appeal. Additionally, fortifying products with key nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and fiber can help address common dietary gaps in children’s diets.
Brands should also highlight claims that resonate with parents, such as “good source of protein,” “made with whole grains,” or “contains natural ingredients.” These attributes signal health and quality, helping parents feel confident in their food choices.
Equally important is emphasizing convenience. Messaging like “easy to prepare” or “perfect on-the-go snack” appeals to busy families managing busy schedules. Offering products in single-serve formats adds further value, making it easier for parents to manage portions and simplify mealtimes, especially in households with multiple children.
At Glanbia Nutritionals, we are excited to support the future of kids’ nutrition through science-led product development and collaboration with our customers. By combining our expertise in formulating nutrient-dense formulations with a broad portfolio of ingredients—from cheeses to proteins to custom premixes—we help brands create convenient, nutritious products families can feel good about.
Contact us to explore the possibilities in kids’ foods and beverages that will win over parents and kids alike.