Guide
Protein Juice Box: What It Is and How It Compares
A protein juice box is a regular-size juice box with protein mixed in. Here is how much protein kids actually need, where the protein in a drink comes from, and how the common lunchbox drinks compare, per serving, with the sources.
What counts as a protein juice box
Most juice boxes are juice, water and sometimes sugar. They carry almost no protein: 100% apple juice has less than 1 gram in an 8.4 fl oz serving, according to USDA FoodData Central. A protein juice box adds a protein ingredient so the box carries a few grams or more, while still drinking like juice.
The protein usually comes from one of two places:
- Milk proteins such as whey, which means the drink contains dairy.
- Plant proteins such as pea protein, which keep the drink dairy free.
Wonderade uses pea protein: 8 grams per box, with no dairy. See the full nutrition facts.
How much protein kids need
The Recommended Dietary Allowance for protein is 13 g a day for ages 1 to 3, 19 g for ages 4 to 8, and 34 g for ages 9 to 13.
| Age | Protein a day (RDA) | 8 g is about |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 years | 13 g | about 60% of the day |
| 4 to 8 years | 19 g | about 40% of the day |
| 9 to 13 years | 34 g | about 25% of the day |
Percentages are simple math on the RDA (8 divided by 13, 19 and 34), rounded. Many kids already meet the RDA from meals; a drink is one small part of the day.
Protein needs scale with body weight, and most kids who eat a mix of foods get enough. A protein drink is more useful for the kid who skips milk, eats like a bird at lunch, or comes home hungry. For more on that, read Protein drinks for kids: what parents should know and My kid won't drink milk.
Protein in kids' drinks, compared
Same serving for every drink: 8.4 fl oz, the size of one Wonderade box. Milk is the classic protein drink, at about 8 grams a serving. Juice and fruit punch have close to none.
| Drink | Protein | Total sugar | Added sugar | Calcium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% apple juice (FDC 173933) | less than 1 g | about 24 g | 0 g | about 20 mg |
| 100% grape juice (FDC 173042) | about 1 g | about 35 g | 0 g | about 25 mg |
| Fruit punch drink (not 100% juice) (FDC 174151) | 0 g | about 28 g | usually most of it | about 20 mg |
| 2% milk (FDC 171267) | about 8 g | about 13 g | 0 g | about 300 mg |
| Chocolate milk, reduced fat (FDC 170880) | about 7 g | about 24 g | usually some | about 270 mg |
| Almond milk, unsweetened (FDC 174832) | about 1 g | about 2 g | 0 g | about 455 mg (fortified) |
| Wonderade (either flavor) | 8 g | 3 g | 0 g | 300 mg |
Non-Wonderade rows: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy) generic entries, scaled from 100 g to 248 g (one 8.4 fl oz serving) and rounded; FDC IDs listed. Brands vary, so check the label on yours. Wonderade figures are from its Nutrition Facts panel. Look up any FDC ID at USDA FoodData Central.
What to check on the label
- Protein per box. Look at grams, not the front-of-pack wording.
- Total sugars and added sugars. Protein doesn't cancel out sugar. Check the "Includes Added Sugars" line.
- Protein source. Milk proteins mean dairy. Pea, soy or other plant proteins matter if your kid has an allergy.
- Serving size. Compare per box, and make sure the box is one serving.
- Who it's for. Many protein shakes are built for adults, with far more protein per bottle than a kid needs at once. Pick one sized for a kid.
Questions parents ask
- What is a protein juice box?
- A single-serve, shelf-stable juice box that has protein added, usually from milk proteins or plant proteins like pea. Most regular juice boxes have less than 1 gram of protein.
- How much protein does a child need a day?
- The Recommended Dietary Allowance is 13 g a day for ages 1 to 3, 19 g for ages 4 to 8, and 34 g for ages 9 to 13. Most of it should come from regular meals and snacks.
- Is a protein juice box the same as a protein shake?
- No. A protein shake is usually thick and milk-based. A protein juice box drinks like juice, straight from the box, with protein mixed in.
- How much protein is in Wonderade?
- 8 grams per 8.4 fl oz box, from pea protein, with 3 g of total sugar and 0 g added sugar.
Related: sugar in juice boxes, compared, lunchbox drinks, compared and the Wonderade flavors.
8g protein. 3g sugar. Real fruit.
Wonderade is a kids' juice box. See the nutrition facts or meet the flavors.