Understand The Nutritional Importance And Benefits Of Milk For Toddlers

Milk becomes less important after your baby's 1st birthday because your toddler can now eat a wider varietyof foods. But milk is still a good source of nutrients, including calcium. If you breast-feed, then studies recommend continuing until age 2. Toddlers can get their daily nutritional requirements from 2 cups of milk.Best Play School in Noida feels that giving too much milk to drink can deter your toddler from eating other healthy foods which can provide other essential nutrients.

Nutritional Importance of Milk

Below is a complete list of vital nutrients present in milk:

•              Calcium, for strong bones and teeth.

•              Protein, for growth and energy.

•              Vitamin A, for good eyesight and immune system functioning.

•              Vitamin B12, for the production of healthy cells.

•              Iodine, to regulate the metabolism.

•              Magnesium, for muscle function.

•              Phosphorus, for energy release.

Benefits of Milk

Drinking milk has several benefits for your kids. It not only gives your kids strong and healthy bones, but they also aid overall growth and development. Here are some milk benefits for kids:

·         Calcium Needs

Milk and dairy products provide the best source of dietary calcium. It is also essential for healthy bone growth. A cup of milk supplies 300 milligrams of calcium and toddlers need around 500 milligrams per day. Yogurt and cheese are calcium-fortified foods and can meet your toddler's calcium needs as well as milk. Children under age 5 get 70% of calcium from milk.

·         Healthy Teeth

We all know milk is rich in calcium and phosphorus and is very crucial to your kid’s dental health and tooth development. Calcium and phosphorus maintain the health of your kid’s teeth. The most important protein casein is found in milk form a thin film on your kid’s teeth’s enamel surface. It also prevents the loss of calcium and phosphate and prevents teeth from exposure to the acids present in the mouth.

·         Vitamin D

Milk also supplies vitamin D which helps the toddler to absorb calcium. Toddlers who don't get enough vitamin D are at higher risk of developing rickets. Vitamin D deficiency also causes thinning of the bones that can cause bowing and pain.

·         Supplies Vital Minerals and Vitamins

Milk also contains healthy vitamins and minerals and keeps your little one active, healthy, and strong. The vitamins and minerals are great for your kid’s eyesight. Carbohydrates in milk supply adequate energy and prevent your kid from feeling tired. Milk provides protein to prepare your kid’s body for proper growth

·         Supplying Fats

Toddlers also need fats for optimal neurological growth. You can change to whole milk any time after 1 year and do not feed your toddler low-fat milk. Whole milk has 4% fat which is required for toddlers of age 1 and 2 need. After age 2, feed your toddler with low-fat milk. Don't give your child skim or fat-free milk until age 5.

·         Healthy Weight Maintenance

Milk provides dairy protein even contains amino acids used in muscle synthesis. The effect of protein even helps prevent over-eating. Consumption of a healthy amount of dairy products can help in maintaining a healthy weight. Studies have said that continued consumption of dairy prevents obesity in adolescence.

Certain toddlers can't drink any milk so they can meet their nutritional needs for dietary calcium in other ways. Some toddlers under age 3 have a milk allergy. A toddler with a milk allergy or lactose intolerance can take another alternative milk source. A toddler’s daily calcium needs can be addressed through different types of food. When your kid does not like to drink milk, you can include other calcium-rich products in the diet. It can include soy milk, cottage cheese, regular cheese, and yogurt, etc.