Milk

Milk and it’s cousins, cheese and yoghurt are as complete a food as it gets and are great sources of, protein, carbohydrate and fat along with a bounty of micronutrients, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and Vitamins A & D to name but a few. 3 to 4 servings of dairy will help create healthy bones and teeth and in later life will reduce the risk of osteoporosis, hypertension and obesity. Use full fat milk until 5, then you can switch to low fat.

Some parents are giving their children Growing Up milk instead of cow’s milk after 12 months. While the manufacturers of the milk will insist that it is more nutritious than cow’s milk, there is little scientific evidence to suggest this, unless a child is eating a poor diet of solid foods. By the age of 12 months your child will be getting most of his or her nutrition from solid foods.

The bottom line is that it’s much more expensive and it is usually flavoured with vanilla, which, when you want to switch to cow's milk, will make your job even harder. There are added vitamins in the Growing Up milk, but unless you’re worried about your child’s nutrient intake from their solid food, there is no need for extra.

In fact, I worry about too much fortification with vitamins. Vitamins and minerals are supposed to be absorbed in their natural state in the naturally occurring foods. When vitamins are added artificially to a diet you are essentially upsetting the balance of nature and how the body uses and absorbs nutrients. It is well documented that we can overdose on artificial supplements of the fat-soluble vitamins, especially Vitamin A. These vitamins are stored in the liver and fatty deposits in our body and can build up to a toxic level. The water-soluble vitamins, C &B complex, may not even be absorbed by the body, if given artificially.

There is one advantage to Growing up milk, though. It’s stored at room temperature and so is handy to travel with!

The best rule of thumb is to ingest food that is closest to its natural form. That way the body recognizes the nutrient and absorbs and utilizes them accordingly. If you are concerned that your child isn’t getting enough nutrients from his or her solid diet, I would suggest talking to your GP.

Emma Buckley B.Sc