An honest note on height: a child's adult height is mostly genetic. No shake can push a child past their natural potential. A good one supports the growth their body is already doing. More on this below.
How we scored them
Real protein dose per serving, from the label, not the front of the box
Clinical evidence: a published, controlled study, not a marketing sentence
How we review
We start with the products parents are actually searching for and buying, then we read every nutrition label, check for published clinical evidence, compare real cost per serving, and where possible we look at verified customer feedback. Each product is scored on four weighted criteria and given an overall score and a school-grade-style letter grade. Scores are our editorial judgment based on publicly available product information, not independent lab analysis.
Why trust us
Our editorial team includes parents and a pediatric dietitian who have spent years navigating picky eaters, growth spurts, and the marketing hype around children's nutrition. We prioritize real evidence and honest framing over big claims, and we will always tell you when a product cannot do what its marketing implies.
30-day money-back guaranteeSave up to 20% with Subscribe & SaveHSA/FSA eligible
Protein dose★★★★★5.0/5 · 10g
Nutrient completeness★★★★★5.0/5
Taste & mixability★★★★☆4.5/5
Clinical evidence★★★★★5.0/5
Scores reflect ParentWell's editorial assessment based on the published clinical study, product documentation, and verified customer reviews, not independent lab testing.
What we liked
The only product on this list backed by a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
10g of real protein per serving, the highest of any product we compared
Calcium, vitamin D3, K2, magnesium and zinc for bone support, plus omega 3-6-9 from organic flaxseed
1 billion CFU probiotics (Bacillus subtilis DE111) for digestive support
Made in the USA in an FDA-registered, GMP and HACCP certified facility; gluten-, soy- and nut-free
Chocolate flavor, plus a plant-based vanilla option for dairy-sensitive families
Worth knowing
Costs more per serving than mass-market ready-to-drink cartons
Contains milk protein in the chocolate formula (a dairy-free vanilla version is available)
Not every child likes the taste, and some reviewers say it mixes best in a shaker or blender
Why it won
"It is the only shake on this list backed by an actual published clinical trial, not just a marketing claim."
Every product here says it "supports growth" in some form. NuBest Tall Protein is the only one where that claim rests on a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (details below). The formula backs it up: the highest protein dose we found, the full bone-support team of calcium, D3, K2 and magnesium, omegas and a studied probiotic strain, in a chocolate shake that covers ages 3 through the teen years.
What it costs
Supply
One-time
Subscribe & Save
1 tub 15 days
$45.99
$41.39 save 10%
3 tubs 45 days
$137.97
$117.27 $39.09/tub, save 15%
6 tubs 90 days, best value
$275.94
$220.75 $36.79/tub, save 20%
Prices as of Sept 2026 on nubest.com. One scoop a day, so one tub lasts about 15 days. Subscriptions ship free in the US and can be skipped, paused or cancelled anytime; one-time orders ship free at $90 or more. HSA/FSA eligible.
30-DAY MONEY BACK
Try it risk-free. NuBest offers a 30-day money-back guarantee: if your child won't drink it or you are not satisfied, you can get a free exchange or a refund within 30 days of purchase.
30-day money-back guaranteeSave up to 20% with Subscribe & SaveHSA/FSA eligible
Ranked #2 of 5
Orgain Kids Protein Organic Nutrition Shake
Ready-to-drink carton · $23.88 for a 12-pack (about $1.99/serving)
B+8.1 / 10overall score
Protein dose★★★☆☆3.5/5 · 8g
Nutrient completeness★★★★☆4.0/5
Taste & mixability★★★★☆4.0/5
Clinical evidence★☆☆☆☆1.0/5
Scores reflect ParentWell's editorial assessment based on publicly available product information, not lab testing.
Orgain is a strong, widely-trusted organic option and a deserved runner-up. It is USDA Organic and built around a grass-fed milk and whey protein blend with 22 vitamins and minerals, and the ready-to-drink format is genuinely convenient for lunchboxes and busy mornings.
What we liked
USDA Organic and a recognizable, trusted brand
8g of protein plus 22 vitamins and minerals per serving
Ready-to-drink convenience, no scooping or mixing required
Worth knowing
8g of protein, noticeably less than our top pick's 10g
Ingredient list includes added cane sugar
No published clinical study behind its growth or nutrition claims
Ready-to-drink, dairy-free and soy-free · $33.99 for a 16-pack (about $2.12/serving)
B7.4 / 10overall score
Protein dose★★★☆☆3.5/5 · 9g
Nutrient completeness★★★★☆4.0/5
Taste & mixability★★☆☆☆2.5/5
Clinical evidence★☆☆☆☆1.0/5
Scores reflect ParentWell's editorial assessment based on publicly available product information and published third-party reviews, not lab testing.
Else Nutrition is the best fit on this list for families who need a dairy-free, soy-free, plant-based option. It leans on whole-food plant ingredients with 25-plus vitamins and minerals, and it is a thoughtful, clearly-labeled product with a clear point of view.
What we liked
Plant-based, dairy-free and soy-free for kids who need those options
9g of plant protein plus 25-plus vitamins and minerals
Clear, transparent labeling with a whole-food ingredient approach
Worth knowing
An independent product review described the taste as "a tough sell for little tastebuds"
Lower protein dose than our top pick, and no published clinical study
Less widely stocked than the big mass-market brands
Ready-to-drink, widely available nationwide · $10.97 for a 6-pack (about $1.83/serving)
B-6.9 / 10overall score
Protein dose★★★☆☆3.0/5 · 7g
Nutrient completeness★★★★☆4.0/5
Taste & mixability★★★☆☆3.5/5
Clinical evidence★★☆☆☆2.0/5
Scores reflect ParentWell's editorial assessment based on publicly available product information, not lab testing.
PediaSure is the most recognizable name on this list, with a long pediatric heritage and near-universal availability. It delivers a broad vitamin and mineral profile and is a brand many pediatricians are familiar with, but it is positioned as a medical nutrition shake for children who need extra calories, not specifically as a growth or muscle-support product for active kids and teens.
What we liked
Available almost everywhere, from pharmacies to grocery stores
Long pediatric heritage and brand familiarity
27 vitamins and minerals per serving
Worth knowing
Only 7g of protein in the ready-to-drink shake, the lowest of any product on this list
Built as a medical nutrition supplement for weight gain rather than everyday sports or growth nutrition
No published clinical study behind a growth or muscle-support claim specifically
Ready-to-drink, medical nutrition drink · $44.46 for a 24-pack (about $1.85/serving)
C+6.3 / 10overall score
Protein dose★★★☆☆3.0/5 · 7-10g
Nutrient completeness★★★☆☆3.5/5
Taste & mixability★★★☆☆3.0/5
Clinical evidence★★☆☆☆2.0/5
Scores reflect ParentWell's editorial assessment based on publicly available product information, not lab testing.
Boost Kid Essentials rounds out the list as the medical-nutrition pick. It is a pediatric oral nutrition drink designed with calcium and vitamin D for bone support, and it is a reasonable option when a doctor recommends extra calories and nutrients for a child who is not gaining weight well. For an everyday active kid or teen simply looking for a protein drink for kids, it is a heavier, more clinical product than most families searching this category actually need.
What we liked
Formulated with calcium and vitamin D for bone support
Widely used and recommended in pediatric medical settings
25 vitamins and minerals per serving
Worth knowing
Positioned as a medical oral nutrition supplement, typically used under a pediatrician's guidance
Built for children who need extra calories, not specifically for active, typically-growing kids and teens
No published clinical study behind a growth or muscle-support claim specifically
The 26-week clinical study followed 60 US families, not a lab panel of adults.
Citruslabs, a US clinical research organization, ran a 26-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on 60 US-based children ages 10 to 16 and their parents, registered in the National Library of Medicine's database under NCT06704178. Half received NuBest Tall Protein, half an identical-looking placebo, and neither the families nor the researchers knew who had which until the study ended.
7.53%average weight gain by month 6 (p<0.0001)
3.25%average height gain by month 4 (p=0.0033)
111.6%increase in reported energy scores by month 6
1.74ximprovement in a cognitive attention task
Weight gain was already significant by month 2 (4.67%, p=0.0001). Parents also reported a 21% reduction in elimination-related digestive issues and a 19.33% decrease in stomach discomfort, and 70% said they noticed improved mental clarity and focus. These are the strongest results we found anywhere in this product category.
Important honesty note: these are group averages from a 26-week research study, not a guarantee for any individual child. No study result, including this one, should be read as a promise of a specific number of inches or pounds for your child specifically.
30-day money-back guaranteeSave up to 20% with Subscribe & SaveHSA/FSA eligible
What parents say on nubest.com
NuBest Tall Protein averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1,071 reviews on nubest.com. Three verified-buyer reviews, quoted as written:
★★★★★
"i have got a pretty picky 11-year-old who lives off snacks and claims he is too busy for breakfast. we started nubest protein chocolate flavor as a quick morning shake and suprisingly he did not refuse it. he says it is tasty like a treat. he now asks for it instead of the sugary cereal."
★★★★★
"my 8-year-old is such a picky eater, so finding something that actually checks all the boxes felt nearly impossible. this protein powder fits right into his routine. i mix it into his morning milk or sometimes yogurt, and it blends smoothly without clumps. no sugar crash either. go for this, parents!"
★★★★★
"My son enjoys the taste of the chocolate powder. He makes a protein shake everyday."
Not every review is glowing: in reviews rated 3 stars or lower, the most common complaint is that a child did not like the taste, followed by mixing and price. That is what the 30-day money-back guarantee is for.
Do kids and teens actually need a protein shake?
A good protein shake for kids should be something they actually finish, not something that ends up down the drain.
Most kids who eat a varied diet get enough protein from meals alone. A shake earns its place in the gaps: a teenager who trains four times a week and inhales breakfast in ten minutes, a ten-year-old who will only eat five foods and none of them are protein, a family trying to support a growth spurt without turning every meal into a negotiation. It is not a magic fix, but it is a genuinely useful tool, and that is the frame we used for every product on this list.
Let's be honest about height. A child's adult height is determined mostly by genetics. No shake, powder, or supplement can push a child past their natural growth potential, and we are skeptical of any product that implies otherwise. What good nutrition, enough protein, enough sleep, and regular activity can do is support a child's body while it does what it is already trying to do. Even the clinical study above reports group averages over months in a research setting, not a promise about any one child.
Why a generic shake or a plain multivitamin falls short
A protein shake that stops at protein, like the cartons from Orgain or Else Nutrition, leaves out the D3 and K2 pairing that helps the body direct calcium toward bones, and neither has a published trial behind its claims. A plain children's multivitamin goes the other way: plenty of vitamins, no meaningful protein. And a medical nutrition drink like PediaSure or Boost Kid Essentials is built to add calories for children who are not gaining weight adequately under a doctor's care, a different job than supporting an already-healthy, active child. NuBest Tall Protein is the only product in this comparison that combines a real protein dose, the full bone-support pairing, digestive support, and a published clinical trial in one formula.
How we'd use it day to day
One scoop, mixed with milk or water, once a day, is the routine we would follow.
One scoop, once a day. Mix with cold milk or water. Milk adds extra calcium and protein, water keeps it lighter. A shaker bottle helps it dissolve fully.
Match the dose to your child's age. For ages 3 to 4, use half a scoop. For ages 4 and up, a full scoop. Always follow the label and check with your pediatrician.
Pair it with the basics. Balanced meals, enough sleep, and regular activity do the heavy lifting. A shake fills the gaps around them, it does not replace meals.
Be consistent. The benefit comes from steady daily use over months, not from a single glass. Most families make it part of breakfast or an after-school routine.
Quick answers
Is there a money-back guarantee?
Yes. NuBest offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on NuBest Tall Protein: if you are not satisfied, you can get a free exchange or a refund within 30 days of purchase.
Can I pay with my HSA or FSA?
Yes, NuBest lists Tall Protein as HSA/FSA eligible, which can let you pay with pre-tax dollars.
How long does one tub last?
One tub has 15 servings, so about 15 days at one scoop a day. The 3-tub and 6-tub Subscribe & Save plans cover 45 and 90 days and bring the price down to $39.09 and $36.79 per tub (prices as of Sept 2026).
Will it make my child taller?
No product can promise that. Height is mostly genetic. The clinical study found group-level improvements over 26 weeks, which is evidence the formula can support a child's own growth, not a guarantee for any individual child.
Our verdict: NuBest Tall Protein is our #1 pick
The only shake we compared with a published, placebo-controlled clinical trial
10g protein plus calcium, D3, K2, magnesium, omegas and probiotics in one scoop
4.6/5 from 1,071 reviews on nubest.com, made in an FDA-registered US facility
