Dairy alternatives have become a relevant topic due to widespread interest and its increased market.
There are many reasons parents and guardians may consider milk alternatives for their little ones, including:
I suggest parents who are contemplating whether to give their children cow’s milk or an alternative, take an individualized approach and asses all options then determine which option best serves the child’s nutritional needs. I recommend doing a little research before deciding.
When deciding on which dairy alternative to go with, compare nutrient profiles of the substitute you are considering. Become familiar with the amount of fat, proteins, and carbohydrates available in order to make the best selection for your child’s dietary needs.
When comparing the nutritional content of diary and dairy alternatives, compare the following:
There are a lot of options available when deciding whether to go with cow’s milk or a dairy alternative. Though the reasons vary as to why someone chooses a dairy alternative, remember it is important to compare the nutrient profiles first. Understanding the nutrient profile of the dairy alternative you choose is vital to ensuring your child’s nutritional needs are being met.
Flom JD, Sicherer SH. Epidemiology of Cow’s Milk Allergy. Nutrients. 2019;11(5):1051. Published 2019 May 10. doi:10.3390/nu11051051.
James JM, Sampson HA. Immunologic changes associated with the development of tolerance in children with cow milk allergy. J Pediatr. 1992 Sep;121(3):371-7. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(05)81788-3. PMID: 1517910.
Nemec K. Cultural Awareness of Eating Patterns in the Health Care Setting. Clin Liver Dis (Hoboken). 2020;16(5):204-207. Published 2020 Dec 10. doi:10.1002/cld.1019
Eating foods that are in season is beneficial in that you are consuming foods that have naturally ripened therefore increasing the availability of the nutrients. Consuming foods in the proper season also enhances the flavor of those foods due to the reduction in chemical interference.
I hope that you find this information helpful. Remember to consistently offer a variety of nutritious whole foods to your little one to help foster their interest in natural food early on.
Toddlers and young children can be incredibly picky eaters. Picky eating is considered a normal part of childhood development. Picky eaters can be challenging for parents and guardians. Here I offer a few tips to help maneuverer these types of encounters.
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