The goodness of good ol' milk

With a variety of milk available, it's often confusing as to which one to choose. But cow's milk wins hands down

Drinking milk takes us back to our childhood days when our mothers would force us to drink a glass every morning before leaving for school. Milk provides the adequate nutrients and helps accelerate overall growth and development.

Nowadays, due to increasing obesity among children, parents are opting for low fat milk instead of whole milk for their children. But with all the different types of milk  available in the market today, parents are often confused about the right one to buy.
One of our readers, Ajeeta Singh, had a pertinent question. Which milk is best for kids, she asked. Whenever you select any food or beverage for your child, consider not just its nutritional content, but also his/her nutritional needs. Every parent's aim should be to provide  balanced nutrition to his or her child so that there is healthy growth.

My preference, any day, is cow's milk, as it meets the nutritional needs and is tasty, too. Cow's milk has been consumed since ages and has shown no side-effects, expect for those with lactose intolerance.It is a good source of calories, protein and calcium, and children can start drinking this once they are 12 months old. However, once they reach teen age, milk should be supplemented with calcium and vitamin D-rich foods.

Soy milk is high in protein and is good for those with allergies to cow's milk. It is also an excellent source of vegetable protein for growing children and almost matches cow's milk in nutritional value. One serving of soy milk has seven grams of protein while cow's milk has eight grams. Soy milk is also fortified with calcium and Vitamin D, and is a good alternative, provided the taste is acceptable.

Other milks like rice milk and almond milk are low in protein and hence can be recommended only when combined with other protein-rich foods to meet the needs of the growing child. While coconut milk is another popular drink, it is not recommended for kids since it is low in protein. Oat milk is another option with a nutrient composition almost similar to almond milk.
So, choose the milk based on the child's  nutritional requirements and age. And definitely take into consideration their food allergies or any other medical condition.

Remember, milk should be enjoyed by the child since he or she has to, ideally, take two glasses every day, until they are eight years old.  
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Deepshikha Agarwal guides you to achieve your health and wellness goals