Parent's Guide to Dairy - Your Child's Nutrition Matters

Dairy provides many nutrients that a growing body needs, including calcium. According to the Cleveland Clinic, children from four to eight years of age need about two and a half cups of dairy products per day. And ages nine to 18 need about three cups of dairy per day. The type of dairy can vary, as long as it is not filled with sugar and is not high in fat. Toddlers on the other hand should have up to three cups of whole milk per day. We’ve put a simple guide together on all of the advantages of consuming dairy (for children).

Low-Fat Dairy

Many items come to mind when a parent thinks of dairy, including milk, cheese, yogurt, and even ice cream. However, for a daily intake, you want to keep the sugar and fat content low while benefiting from the many nutrients found in dairy. Fat-free or 1% milk is ideal because they are lower in fat and have the same nutrients as 2% milk and whole milk.

Yogurt and low-fat milk contain more vitamin A, vitamin D, and potassium but less sodium and saturated fat.

Lactose Intolerance

Many children have dairy allergies or lactose intolerance. Parents can still serve the recommended amount of dairy products by choosing lactose-free milk, cheese, and soy milk. These products are also fortified with vitamin D, calcium, and other minerals and vitamins that are important for a child’s growth and health.

The Utah State University found that children exposed to highly allergenic foods, such as dairy, eggs, peanuts, and wheat, have a lower risk of developing allergies to these products when they are introduced earlier in life.

Health Benefits of Dairy

Dairy has many health benefits for children and adults alike. The Utah State University also found that:

• Children develop about 40 percent of their bone mass from the age of nine until they are 14 and about 90 percent of their bone mass by the time they are in their later teens.
• Many dairy products contain probiotics, which provide health benefits.
• Dairy also protects tooth enamel, which leads to stronger adult teeth.
• No other food provides as much potassium, protein, and calcium as milk.

Contact the Modern Milkman for Fresh Milk

If you want your children to enjoy fresh milk and yogurt as part of their recommended daily intake, visit the Modern Milkman to create the subscription that best fits your needs for local weekly milk and dairy delivery.