What is the Healthiest Milk for Children?

There are many types of milk at the market, such as whole, skim, high calcium, and semi-skimmed milk, ect. So, which one is the healthiest?

Milk has always been considered a highly nutritious food people should include in their diets. However, at some point you must ask yourself what’s the best milk for children.

During the first months of a baby’s life, there’s nothing better for them than breast milk.  As babies grow, parents need to seek additional nutritional alternatives to help their growth and development.

There are many alternatives at the market. Check with your doctor to know what milk is best for an an infant or a very small child. Remember to consider every one to prevent putting their health at risk. Many children’s milk contains essential nutrients like calcium and vitamin D. However, each product is different.

Which is the Best Milk for Children, Whole or Skim Milk?

Choosing milk for children was a lot easier four decades ago. It was normal for babies to change directly from breast milk to whole milk. The only differences were their presentation: either powdered or liquid. The diversified production allowed certain children’s formulas and low fat skim milk to be manufactured.

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Is Whole Milk Better for Children?

Although adults are different from children. Children that drink whole milk get more vitamin D without being affected by the high-fat contents of this classic product.

Lactose intolerance or overweight infants and children can drink whole milk.

Cow Milk Has More Nutrients

Since cow milk is less processed, it has a lot of nutrients. It contains plenty of calcium, protein, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. All of these nutrients promote good nutrition in children and infants. Having a lot of vitamin D is important because it contributes to proper calcium absorption, which is beneficial for the child’s development.

Should you Choose Skim Milk?

Parents of overweight children should include low-fat milk in the child’s diets. This allows them to receive of all milk’s benefits without gaining weight. In these cases, the main goal is nourishing the child while helping him/her to lose weight.

Among these low-fat milk options, you should choose formulas high in vitamins and minerals. Be sure to look at the nutritional facts and choose the best one.

Babies with excess calcium (hypercalcemia) or who suffer from allergies or kidney stones should drink less concentrated formulas. Lactose intolerant people should do the same.

However, semi-skimmed milk is recommended for any of these cases. This type of milk has 1.8% fat and it has the essential nutrients children need.

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Skim Milk is for Adults

Skim milk is mainly recommended for adults who want to lose or who want to be at a healthy weight.

Children shouldn’t be dieting to lose weight, except for extreme cases of childhood obesity. It is completely necessary for Children to really include better-quality foods into their diets. Therefore, check with a nutritionist that can develop an appropriate eating plan.

Furthermore, skim milk has a lighter taste, and small children and infants can digest it easily. This makes it easier to include this drink into their diets. However, choosing skim milk for children before the age of 3 is not recommend.

Other Calcium-Rich Foods

There are other foods high in calcium: orange juice, spinach, rice, nuts, fish, eggs, among others. There is one food in particular that children love and also contain this mineral: chocolate.

Other dairy products such as cheese and yogurt also have calcium. In short, it is important to have a balanced diet and include high quality foods in children’s diets.

Milk is very important for your child’s growth. Choosing the most appropriate type of milk is an important decision all parents should make based on their pediatrician’s advice.

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