Join Dawn Weatherwax, RD, LD, ATC, CSCS, on May 21 at 7 PM EST for a free live talk revealing the top 3 nutrition secrets every parent must know to boost their young athlete's performance, recovery, and growth.

Protein powder is usually safe for teen and youth athletes when it is third-party tested and fills a real food gap. Most athletes under 18 get enough protein from food, so a shake is a tool, not a requirement. Look for NSF Certified for Sport first, keep it to one a day, and see the real risks, from lead to hidden steroids, plus whey vs plant, stomach issues and acne.