“Doodh mein calcium hai – your bones will become strong and healthy.“
“Doodh peo – height bade gi”.
These were lines we all grew up sharing I’m sure. I remember when I was growing up, milk was a non-negotiable and had to be drunk twice a day at least.
The same thing trickled down when I had kids of my own. Milk is needed for healthy bones and kids need to drink it. It didn’t matter if they ate something or not while running out of the house to catch the bus – that glass of milk had to be gulped.
But the question is what to do if your child really dislikes milk? Let’s get some answers!
Now we know that kids require more calcium since they are growing and milk consumption is advised for them. But…
Can Kids Skip Milk?
Experts say if the same amount of nutrients are consumed through other sources, milk isn’t mandatory.
Recently, celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar was asked this question – My kids hate drinking milk. What do I do? Her answer was different from the traditional one we have all grown up hearing.
For starters, this whole ‘nutrient-based’ approach to nutrition, as taught in schools, needs to be debunked. The nutrient-based approach tells us that to get protein you need meat or lentils, for vitamin A – carrots, to get Omega-3 – fish etc. This approach is in direct conflict with the fundamental way in which communities eat. We, naturally and commonsensically, eat in tune with our culture, climate and cuisine and so constantly feel at odds with the narrative of eating according to carbs, proteins and fat.
Vasanti Malik of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health recently wrote on milk & if kids need to drink it. She says that milk contains nutrients including vitamin D, protein and calcium. Since kids tend to eat a less varied diet than adults, milk can be a convenient way to ensure that they get adequate nutrients as they grow. But they can get all this from food as well. She also cautioned that plant-based milk may not always be healthier than cow’s milk. For example, they may contain added sugars.
Does The Food Kids Eat Have Enough Calcium?
On this topic Rujuta Diwekar says
Essentially, if your child is eating a combination of nuts, pulses, grains, millets, or rajma chawal, dal chawal, homemade laddoos and chutneys, through the week, and you see no problem in them continuing this pattern for years together, then you are sorted. No child throws a tantrum when eating rajma chawal or even a rajgeera laddoo
You Can Get Calcium From Non-Dairy Food
There are several reasons why milk is considered an essential drink for children. Drinking milk has many advantages for the body. However, the fact remains that milk continues to be an extremely nutrient-dense food, especially during the formative years of a child.
Some children may have dietary preferences or restrictions that could also affect their milk consumption. For example, some children may be lactose intolerant or have a milk allergy, making milk consumption problematic. If your child follows a vegan diet, you might opt for plant-based milk alternatives like almond, soy, or oat milk, but you should ensure they receive essential nutrients from other sources.
In the end, your child’s diet is what matters. A balanced diet includes a variety of foods to ensure that children receive a wide range of nutrients. While milk can be a valuable part of their diet, it should be complemented by other nutritious foods.
How To Help Kids Develop Strong Bones
It’s not just about getting calcium from food, it is also about assimilating it so that teeth, bones, muscles, heart and nerves function optimally. Diet isn’t the only factor in bone growth and development.
- Every child must spend at least 60 minutes daily playing outdoors, preferably in the sun, and walk/ run around as much as possible.
- Other than playing, sleep hygiene is critical too. If early bedtime is not adhered to, any amount of calcium consumption will be sub-optimal.
What are your thoughts about this? How many times a day does your child drink milk? Talk to us in the comments below, we want to know what fellow parents think as well.
Janani S Koushik
KSP Team
Karina Chattlani
Neha Savla
Mansi Zaveri
