These Various Benefits of Milk as a Complement for Children's Nutrition

Milk is a nutritious intake, generally obtained from cow's milk. Nutritional composition of milk is very complex and contains various nutrients needed by the body, especially children in their infancy. From birth, children are encouraged to get milk intake, starting from breast milk that contains lots of nutrients and endurance, to the introduction of the type of whole milk or whole milk that is commonly consumed from 1-2 years of age. Because, fat in milk is needed for children's brain development.

Nutritional Content in Milk

In the period of growth, children must be given food intake with balanced nutrition. Complementing it with milk giving is also recommended by experts. It aims to maintain the immune system of children and help the process of growth and development. Research shows that milk is beneficial in long-term bone formation, because milk is rich in calcium. Milk also provides carbohydrates as a source of energy that children need for their activities throughout the day. In addition, there are several other nutritional content contained in milk, including:

• Protein

Milk is one of the best sources of high-quality protein for growth and health. The types of proteins are casein and whey proteins. Casein protein is useful in increasing the absorption of minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus, while whey protein is very good for muscle growth and maintenance.

• Milk fat

Milk fat is one of the most complex natural fats. In children, fat from milk helps growth and development. Give the child milk as needed to support the child's growth without increasing the risk of obesity.

• Vitamins and Minerals

Milk is a very good source of vitamins and minerals. Among these are vitamin B12, calcium, riboflavin, and phosphorus. In addition, most dairy products are also enriched with various other vitamins, including vitamins A and D.

Things to Look For in Giving Milk to Children

To support optimal growth, milk is an important nutritional supplement for children. However, the amount of milk should be adjusted to the age of the child, namely:

• About 480 ml or 2 cups of milk per day, for children aged 2-3 years.
• Around 600 ml or about 2-3 glasses per day, for children aged 4-8 years.
• Around 720 ml or about 3 cups per day, for children aged 9 years and over.

There are various types of milk on the market based on the production process, including UHT (ultra high temperature) milk. We recommend choosing fresh UHT milk with an expiration date that is still far away. Research shows, the closer to the date of kedalurasa the higher the risk of milk contamination. The expiration period of milk can be ensured through the label printed on the package. In addition, generally there is also a label on the packaging that gives a description of the nutritional value contained in milk. It is recommended to pay attention to the milk packaging to be purchased, make sure it is made from ingredients that are safe and in an intact condition, this will help maintain the quality of the milk in the package so that it stays good and is not easily exposed to air or dirt from the surroundings. Also pay attention to the taste of milk taken by children. Unlike white milk, chocolate milk generally contains added sugar. For every one cup of chocolate milk, there is an additional three teaspoons of sugar. Adjust the portion of sugar in children who do not exceed 8 teaspoons per day. In addition, note the salt content in milk. Do not add salt to milk for children in order to get the taste of tasty milk. Salt intake in children must also be adjusted to the amount of daily needs, and salt is usually also obtained from food. Adding salt to milk can cause excessive consumption of salt in children and can increase thirst and hunger, thereby increasing the risk of excess weight in children. Give milk to children as a nutritional supplement, according to the recommended portion. Choose milk with a process that is guaranteed freshness and savory taste of real milk.