Milk substitutes

Foods that are used to replace cow's milk in the human diet, made with nondairy ingredients.

Vitamin D enhanced cow's milk

Vitamin D and calcium can be obtained in sufficient amounts from foods and beverages including pasteurized, whole cow's milk and soy beverages that have been fortified with vitamin D. The vast majority of cow's milk that is marketed in the United States contains added vitamin D.

Time to add milk sustitues

Cow's milk can be given to your child after they have reached the age of 12 months, but not before. If your child is younger than 12 months old, feeding them cow's milk could put them at risk for developing intestinal hemorrhage. It also contains an excessive number of proteins and minerals for the kidneys of your baby to process, and it does not contain the appropriate quantity of nutrients that your baby need.

Quantity

It is possible for a youngster to have cow's milk or fortified soy beverages as part of a varied and balanced diet, but these should not be the only things consumed. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, children ages 12 to 23 months should have the equivalent of between 1.3 and 2 cups worth of dairy products on a daily basis. This includes cow's milk, yogurt, cheese, and fortified soy drinks and soy-based yogurt. If your youngster consumes an excessive amount of cow's milk, he or she might not have the appetite for other foods that provide essential nutrients. Some professionals believe that if your child drinks an excessive amount of cow's milk, it can make it more difficult for his or her body to absorb the iron that it needs from the foods that they eat.

Low fat or whole milk?

Cow's milk that is not flavored or sweetened can be given to children to drink. Whole cow's milk is identical to low-fat cow's milk, with the exception that it contains a greater amount of fat. It is essential for the proper development and growth of young children that they consume an adequate amount of fat in their diet. Talk to your child's doctor or nurse about the type of cow's milk to give your kid if your child has experienced rapid weight growth, has a family history of obesity, high cholesterol or triglycerides, or cardiovascular disease, or if there is a history of these conditions in your family.

Raw Milk

Raw milk and products made from raw milk derived from cows, goats, or sheep can include hazardous bacteria and other germs that, if consumed by your child, can cause them to get extremely ill or even be fatal. Raw milk is synonymous with unpasteurized milk in some circles. Milk that has not been pasteurized or heated should never be given to a child.

Milk Alternatives

Milk substitutes can come in the form of beverages manufactured from plants like soy, oat, rice, coconut, cashew, or almond.

Note that before the age of 12 months, infants should not be given milk replacements.

1. The only non-dairy beverage option that contributes to a youngster meeting their necessary dairy requirements is a fortified soy beverage.
2. Pick the one that doesn't have any flavoring and isn't sweetened. Your youngster does not require any additional sugars in their diet.
3. Pick one that has been added with calcium and vitamin D for added nutrition. It is important to read labels because the nutritious content of different products can vary.
4. Because the vitamins and minerals found in cow's milk are not found in milk alternatives, it is important that you discuss your choice of milk with your kid's primary care physician or the nurse who cares for your child.

Milk substitutes Resources
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