Milk is a highly nutritious intake, generally obtained from cow's milk. The nutritional composition of milk is very complex and contains various nutrients needed by the body, especially children in their growth period.
From birth, children are recommended to get milk intake, starting from breast milk which contains many nutrients and immune sources, to the introduction of whole or whole milk types. whole milk which is usually consumed from the age of 1-2 years. Because, the fat in milk is needed for the development of the child's brain.
Nutritional Content of Milk
During the growth period, children must be given a balanced diet. Complementing it with milk is also recommended by experts. It aims to maintain the child's immune system and help the process of growth and development.
Research shows that milk is beneficial in long-term bone formation, because milk is rich in calcium. Milk also provides carbohydrates as a source of energy that children need for their activities throughout the day.
In addition, there are several other nutritional content contained in milk, including:
- ProteinMilk is one of the sources of high quality protein which is very good for growth and health. These types of protein are casein and whey proteins. Casein protein is beneficial in increasing the absorption of minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus, while whey protein is very good for muscle growth and maintenance.
- Milk fatMilk fat is one of the most complex natural fats. In children, fat from milk helps growth and development. Give the child milk as needed to support the child's growth without increasing the risk of obesity.
- Vitamins and MineralsMilk is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Among these are vitamin B12, calcium, riboflavin, and phosphorus. In addition, most dairy products are also fortified with various other vitamins, including vitamins A and D.
Things to Pay Attention to in Giving Milk to Children
To support optimal growth, milk is an important nutritional supplement for children. However, the amount of milk should be adjusted according to the child's age, namely:
- About 480 ml or 2 glasses of milk per day, for children aged 2 -3 years.
- About 600 ml or about 2-3 glasses per day, for children aged 4-8 years.
- About 720 ml or about 3 glasses per day, for children aged 9 years and over.
There are various types of milk on the market based on the production process, including UHT milk (ultra high temperature). We recommend choosing fresh UHT milk with an expiration date that is still far away. Research shows that the closer to the expiration date, the higher the risk of milk contamination. The expiration date of milk can be ascertained through the label on the packaging.
In addition, generally on the packaging there is also a label that provides information on the nutritional value contained in milk. It is recommended to pay attention to the milk packaging to be purchased, make sure it is made of safe materials and is intact, this will help maintain the quality of the milk in the packaging so that it remains good and is not easily exposed to air or dirt from around.
Also pay attention to the taste of milk that is drunk by the child. Unlike white milk, chocolate milk generally contains added sugar. For every glass of chocolate milk, there is about three teaspoons of added sugar. Adjust the portion of sugar in children who do not exceed 8 teaspoons per day.
In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to the salt content in milk. Do not add salt to milk for children to get a savory milk taste. Salt intake in children must also be adjusted to the amount of their daily needs, and usually salt is also obtained from food. Adding salt to milk can lead to excess salt consumption in children and can increase thirst and hunger, thereby increasing the risk of being overweight in children.
Give milk to children as a nutritional supplement, according to the recommended portion. Choose milk with a guaranteed freshness process and the savory taste of real milk.
