Quite a lot of parents give sweetened condensed milk to their children. In addition to its delicious taste, this milk also has a relatively cheaper price compared to other types of milk. However, can sweetened condensed milk be given to children?
The process of making sweetened condensed milk is very different from other milks. Sweetened condensed milk is made by removing most of the water from cow's milk through the process of evaporation, so that the milk thickens. After that, this milk will be given a lot of added sugar so that it tastes sweet and lasts a long time.
Sweetened Condensed Milk Not Recommended for Children
Sweetened condensed milk contains 2 times more sugar than regular cow's milk. Meanwhile, the nutritional content needed by children for growth and development, such as protein, calcium, vitamin D, potassium, and vitamin B12, is much lower.
Foods or drinks high in sugar can indeed increase weight effectively, but will also increase the risk of obesity in children which can cause various dangerous diseases.
Mothers need to know that children who are not even 2 years old are not recommended to get added sugar at all, you know, either from food or drink. Meanwhile, children aged 2-18 years are recommended to consume no more than 6 teaspoons of sugar per day.
Now, for these reasons sweetened condensed milk is not recommended to be given to children under 2 years, especially to infants.
Loss to Children Due to Consuming Sweetened Condensed Milk
The following are some of the disadvantages that children can experience if they often consume sweetened condensed milk:
Cavity
Everything a child consumes can affect their dental health. Eating too many foods and drinks high in sugar, such as sweetened condensed milk, can cause cavities and toothaches, especially if the oral hygiene is also not maintained.
Obesity
Apart from being high in calories, drinks high in sugar, including sweetened condensed milk, can make children prefer sweet foods. This can make your little one consume far more calories than he actually needs.
Plus, foods and drinks high in sugar are processed very quickly by the body, making people who eat them hungry again quickly. As a result, your little one will eat more often with food choices that are mostly high in sugar and calories. This diet can be called a "highway" to obesity. you know, Bun.
insulin resistance
Insulin resistance is a condition when the body's cells can no longer use blood sugar properly. If you have insulin resistance, children are at high risk for type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, fatty liver, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and menstrual cycle disorders in women.
This can be experienced by your baby if he consumes too many sweet foods or drinks, including sweetened condensed milk. The risk of insulin resistance will also increase if the child is already obese.
Although it has a milk label, currently sweetened condensed milk is no longer a type of milk. Even based on BPOM, sweetened condensed milk should not be used as a substitute for liquid milk and powdered milk for children, but only as a substitute for milk toppings or food mix.
So, from now on, avoid giving sweetened condensed milk to children, OK? If you have been using sweetened condensed milk like regular milk, immediately replace it with regular cow's milk or formula milk that is suitable for your little one's age. It would be even better if Mother prioritized breastfeeding until the age of 2 years.
If you have problems giving breast milk or formula to your little one, don't hesitate to consult a doctor so that his nutritional needs are met properly.
