Dairy Products in Children's Nutrition
Milk is an important food for the growth and development of children, and in our region cow's milk has been part of the traditional diet for centuries. Attempts to generally dispute or even eliminate milk from nutrition are NOT based on scientific evidence!
When properly introduced into children's nutrition and when well-defined usage recommendations are followed, cow's milk and dairy products are, for the vast majority of children, a safe and healthy food! There are several beneficial nutritional aspects of milk, but two are probably the most important: milk and dairy products are an excellent source of calcium, which is one of the most important minerals for a child's growth and development – writes the portal Biti roditelj.
Here are the most common questions from parents:
When should cow's milk be introduced into a baby's diet?
In the first year of life – breast milk is the most important for a baby's health and has NO true substitute! Recommendations from all major pediatric, nutrition, and allergy associations are clear – in the first year of life, cow's milk should NOT be given! Preventing obesity (which is becoming a global problem) and reducing the likelihood of allergies to cow's milk proteins are easy to understand. That is why breastfeeding is “the rule” in the first year of life! If there is no family history of allergy to cow's milk proteins, cow's milk can be given after the first birthday, but only WITHOUT preservatives and additives!
What should be the baby's first dairy product?
The best first contact with cow’s milk is YOGURT! Fermented dairy products, such as yogurt, contain beneficial – probiotic bacteria that are extremely important for children's health (this certainly applies to adults as well). They aid digestion and help build a healthy immune system. The same applies to sour milk! Sour milk is easily digested in the intestines, stimulates bowel movements, and just like yogurt, supports a healthy intestinal microflora. It can be combined with various flavors and dishes, especially with fruits and desserts, as a low-calorie substitute for ice cream.
Are cream cheeses good for children?
Cream cheese is a good choice for breakfast when combined with whole grain bread and yogurt. It is important that it is completely natural: without additives, preservatives, and artificial flavors – as, for example, Sirko and A la kajmak, from Mlekara Šabac, which are the number one spreads in Serbia. These are products made from the highest quality domestic milk using modern technological processes.
Can children drink chocolate milk?
For a time, chocolate milk was considered an unsuitable food by nutritionists, mainly because of its high sugar content. However, over the past 20 years, it has been recognized that quality chocolate milk has a very important role in children's recovery from intense physical exertion. After hard training or a game, in the first 45–60 minutes AFTER the activity, it is important for the child to consume “fast” sugar, and ideally also proteins that help repair exhausted muscles. This is where chocolate milk is ideal – it contains the OPTIMAL amount of sugar and protein for recovery after physical exertion. This also applies to adults, and it has been proven in well-conducted medical studies.
