In today's market, more and more consumers are concerned about the nutritional quality of their children's diets. Increasing global incidence of childhood obesity and the desire to provide children with the nutrition they need to succeed at school and at play are key drivers in this movement.
Soy protein is a high-quality, plant-based protein that is valued for the
nutritional,
functional and
economical benefits it delivers in a variety of food and beverage products. It is used in the food industry to bring these benefits to foods and beverages positioned for a wide range of consumer groups, including infants and children.
Research has shown that many children, even in developed countries, are not getting adequate protein in their diets. Solae's soy proteins are a great solution because as a high-quality protein, comparable to that in eggs, dairy and meat, it provides all the essential amino acids required to support healthy growth and development, including muscle development. High-quality soy protein also
improves satiety and sustains energy levels, important for active children. Unlike most animal proteins, soy protein is low in fat and cholesterol-free. Soy is also lactose-free, therefore appropriate for children with lactose-intolerance or dairy protein allergy. In fact, because of this benefit, Solae pioneered the
soy infant formula when it introduced soy protein isolate for the infant formula market more than 40 years ago.
In food targeting children, soy protein can be used to improve the nutrient composition and nutrient density of foods. Examples include:
- Reducing calories, fat, saturated fat and cholesterol levels in meat products, or as a protein source in low fat, vegetarian meat alternatives
- Boosting the protein content of a variety of beverages, snacks and cereals targeting children, enabling higher protein, more nutrient dense foods and beverages
- Compatiblity in foods formulated to be low glycemic index (GI)