Is Whey Protein Better Than Malted Drinks Like Horlicks for Children’s Nutrition?

In nearly all human communities, the nutrition of children is a top priority, and parents provide exceptional care for it. However, sometimes, we notice misleading posts about it being spread on social media.

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Social media posts say whey protein is a better option for growing children than malt-based “health drinks” like Horlicks. We examine protein adequacy, nutritional content, and other factors to assess this.

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Below is how we fact-checked it.

Fact Check 

1. Do most children fail to meet their daily protein requirements?

Most evidence suggests that children worldwide generally meet or exceed their protein needs rather than falling short. In high-income countries, the average child’s protein intake is two to three times the recommended amount. 

For example, UK surveys found that 4– to 10-year-olds consume approximately 53 g/day of protein, versus a 22 g/day requirement.(≈2.4× higher).More details can be found from this study 

Importantly, studies in low-income settings similarly find adequate protein intakes after infancy. Arsenault & Brown (2017) reanalyzed diets of 6–35-month-old children in Peru, Bangladesh, Uganda, etc., and found “most children consumed protein amounts greater than requirements” once complementary foods were introduced. The research study can be reached here.

In other words, outright protein deficiency is uncommon if calories are adequate. Expert sources agree: “Protein deficiency is very uncommon if a child has access to a variety of foods”. Related article of Healthline can be reached here.

Pediatricians warn that extra protein supplements are usually unnecessary for healthy kids. In fact, excess protein intake can strain the kidneys and liver and offers no growth benefit. The Cleveland Clinic notes that in many countries, “children already get two to three times the protein they need daily,” so extra protein from supplements often “does more harm than good.” More details can be read here

There is no global protein gap for children. Most children (especially beyond infancy) already get more protein than recommended. Clinicians emphasize focusing on balanced diets rather than adding isolated protein supplements.

2. Is whey protein a healthier or more effective option than Horlicks, Boost, or other malt-based drinks for growing children?

Protein quality & amount: Whey protein (especially isolate) is ~80–90% protein by weight, with a complete amino-acid profile and high digestibility. For instance, a whey protein isolate contains ~84 g protein per 100 g. More details can be read here from a recipe. By contrast, malt-based drinks like Horlicks contain much less protein by weight (Horlicks Classic Malt has ~11 g protein per 100 g). Nutrition facts of Horlicks can be read here. Horlicks’ protein comes partly from milk solids and cereals, so its amino acid score is lower. In sum, whey delivers many times more protein per serving, and its protein is of very high quality.

Carbohydrates and sugar: Horlicks (and similar malt drinks) are primarily carbohydrate-based. Per 100 g, Horlicks has ~79 g carbs (with ~14 g sugars). Nutrition facts of Horlicks can be read here. Whey isolate typically has very low carbs (≈10 g per 100 g, only ~5 g sugars). Thus, Horlicks provides extra calories from starches/sugars, whereas plain whey protein adds negligible sugar. Note, however, that sweetened whey powders can include sugars or artificial sweeteners. High sugar intake is undesirable for children (contributing to tooth decay and excess calories), whereas the very low-sugar content of whey could be seen as advantageous.

Micronutrients: This is where the formulas diverge sharply. Horlicks and similar drinks are fortified with many vitamins and minerals (e.g. Vitamin A, C, D, B-vitamins, iron, calcium, zinc) . For example, 100 g Horlicks delivers ~741 μg retinol (Vitamin A), 148 mg Vitamin C, 26 mg iron, etc. These levels can meet a large fraction of daily child requirements. Whey protein powders, by contrast, are essentially unfortified: they supply protein and perhaps some calcium, but negligible vitamins or iron. In other words, Horlicks is a multi-nutrient supplement, whereas whey is virtually “protein-only.”

Intended use and safety

Horlicks-type drinks are marketed to support general growth and development, whereas whey powders are marketed for boosting protein (often in sports contexts). Pediatric experts emphasize getting nutrients from foods: a growing child with a normal diet rarely needs extra protein. Indeed, both Cleveland Clinic and Healthline articles stress that children should meet protein needs through balanced meals and caution that unnecessary protein powders can cause harm. Excess protein (as from high-dose whey) may overload a child’s immature kidneys and liver and lead to dehydration. In addition, dietary supplements like whey powder lack strict regulation, so quality is a concern. Horlicks is a regulated food product and generally safe when used as intended, though its added sugars mean it should be consumed in moderation.

Are whey protein and malt-based drinks appropriate for all age groups of children?

Age-specific needs matter greatly when evaluating supplements like whey or malted drinks. Health organizations emphasize that children under age 2 should not be given sweetened beverages (including Horlicks-type drinks) or protein supplements like whey. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and continued breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods up to at least 1 year of age. During this time, nutrient needs are best met through breastmilk or infant formulas, not supplemental drinks or powders.

For children aged 2 to 5, fortified drinks like Horlicks may be acceptable in moderation if the rest of the diet is lacking in diversity, but added sugars and excess calories remain a concern. Whey protein is generally not necessary at this age and may pose a burden on still-developing kidneys.

Older children (ages 6+) with balanced diets typically do not require either whey or malted drinks. However, in select cases (e.g. picky eaters, vegetarians, or kids in high physical activity), pediatricians may recommend specific products to help meet dietary targets. 

(Source:  AAP Pediatric Nutrition Guideline,  WHO Infant Feeding Guidelines)

In summary, neither is categorically “healthier” for all children. Whey has superior protein quality but no vitamins; Horlicks has nutrients but much less protein and more sugar. Most healthy children do not need the pure protein that whey provides, but they may benefit (if at all) from the micronutrient fortification in products like Horlicks.

3. Can the micronutrients in Horlicks easily be replaced through a child’s regular diet when using whey protein instead?

Horlicks supplies many micronutrients that must otherwise come from a child’s diet or separate supplements. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy and cereals can in principle provide vitamins A, C, D, B-complex, iron, calcium, etc. However, global reports consistently show many children’s diets are not adequately diverse. For example, UNICEF reports ~71% of 6–23-month-olds worldwide lack a minimally diverse diet, and about half are missing “nutrient-rich foods” like fruits/vegetables or eggs/meat/ fish. Such gaps can lead to anemia, vitamin deficiencies, etc. The UNICEF report can be reached here. 

If one replaces Horlicks with only whey, those vitamins/minerals must be replaced by diet. In well-resourced families, this means ensuring plenty of fruit (for Vitamin C, A), green leafy vegetables (folate, iron), meat or legumes (protein + iron, B12), dairy or fortified foods (calcium, Vitamin D), etc. WHO/UNICEF guidelines stress dietary diversity for adequate nutrition. In principle this works: there is no indispensable nutrient that can only come from malted drinks. But in practice, many children (especially in low-resource settings or with picky eaters) do not consume all key food groups. Without a fortified drink, caretakers must be intentional about providing these foods daily to avoid micronutrient shortfalls.

4.Is whey protein generally safe and appropriate for children?

Dietary protein needs are met by normal foods. Pediatric authorities like AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) and others advise that healthy children get sufficient protein from a balanced diet of meats, dairy, grains and legumes, so protein powders (whey or soy) are usually unnecessary. More details can be read here and here. For example, AAP notes protein powders are “of similar quality to complete proteins obtained in meat, dairy, or soy products,” but that young athletes’ needs (and by extension other healthy kids’) are best met through regular foods, not supplements. 

Experts caution against routine supplementation. Reviews and pediatric experts (Cleveland Clinic, health authorities) emphasize that extra protein beyond a child’s needs “likely exceeds their daily needs and is unnecessary”. Unneeded protein supplements can add excess calories and strain kidneys or liver over time. In short, authorities stress that giving whey or other protein powders to an otherwise healthy child is generally not recommended unless a doctor specifically advises it. More details can be read here.

When might whey protein or malted drinks be appropriate for specific health conditions?

Though unnecessary for most children, there are special health cases where either whey protein or fortified drinks might play a role under medical guidance.

For example, children with malabsorption disorders (like celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease) or those recovering from malnutrition may need high-protein, easy-to-digest supplements like whey isolate, which is lactose-free and low in allergens. In such cases, pediatricians may prescribe medical-grade whey formulas that are tailored to clinical needs.

Likewise, children who are picky eaters, underweight, or have nutrient deficiencies (e.g. iron-deficiency anemia or vitamin D deficiency) might benefit from fortified malt-based drinks like Horlicks as a short-term measure, provided sugar intake is monitored. Still, whole food-based strategies are preferred.

It’s crucial to note that these are exceptions, not the norm. Supplements should never replace meals or be used without healthcare supervision. (Source: Cleveland Clinic,  UNICEF, ESPEN)

5. Are malt-based drinks like Horlicks mostly sugar and carbs with limited nutritional value?

Malt-based drinks (Horlicks, Boost) – composition

Horlicks (malted milk drink) – This popular fortified health drink is mostly carbohydrate. A 25 g serving (mixed with ~200 mL milk) has about 182 kcal, including ~28.7 g carbs (of which ~19.2 g is sugars) and ~9.3 g protein. In the dry powder itself, 100 g provides ~77 g carbs (including ~39 g sugars) and ~9 g protein. Fat is very low (~2–4 g/100 g). Horlicks is fortified with vitamins and minerals – for example, a 25 g serving in milk provides roughly 800 mg calcium and 2.7 mg iron (plus added vitamins D, B1, B2, B12, C, E, etc.).More details can be read in official Horlicks website here. 

As an example, to compare with Horlicks, let`s take another famous energy drink, Boost.

Boost (malt-based health drink) – Like Horlicks, Boost is predominantly carbohydrates. Per ~20 g serving, about 83% of its calories come from carbs. A single 20 g scoop (~77 kcal) contains roughly 17 g carbs (of which ~5 g is sugars), 2 g protein and negligible fat. Boost powders are also micronutrient-fortified – e.g. ~167 mg calcium (≈17% DV) and 4 mg iron (≈48% DV) per 20 g. In summary, both Horlicks and Boost deliver mostly sugary carbohydrates with moderate protein and very little fat, but they add extra vitamins/minerals through fortification. More details can be read here.

6.Does Horlicks contain enough sugar to risk exceeding the recommended daily sugar intake for children?

Guidelines for added sugar: The WHO and pediatric experts urge limiting free/added sugars. WHO recommends free sugars be <10% of daily energy (and ideally <5%) for children. More details can be read in WHO website here. The AAP similarly advise no more than ~25 g added sugar per day for kids (age ≥2).More details can be read here.

Horlicks sugar vs. guidelines: Horlicks is relatively high in sugar. A 25 g serving (in milk) contains about 19 g sugar. More details can be read in Horlicks` official website here. Drinking two servings daily (~38 g sugar) would exceed WHO’s stricter 5% recommendation and surpass the AAP’s ~25 g limit. In practical terms, regular daily Horlicks could easily push a child’s intake above these targets, especially when accounting for other sweet foods. Thus, routine consumption of Horlicks (or similar malt drinks) carries a real risk of exceeding recommended sugar limits.

Conclusion

The claim that whey is categorically better than malt drinks for children is unsupported by evidence. Most children already get plenty of protein, so they don’t need a concentrated protein supplement and may even be harmed by unnecessary excess. 

Whey provides a high-quality protein boost but lacks the vitamins and minerals found in fortified drinks. Horlicks/Boost gives some protein plus many added micronutrients (at the cost of extra sugar), whereas whey gives almost only protein. In a well-rounded diet, children can meet all protein and micronutrient needs without either product; any switch from a fortified drink to whey must ensure those lost nutrients are sourced from foods.