The milk and the dairy products they are fundamental foods for the right growth and development of children, since they are a source of calcium, in addition to other basic nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. For this reason it is very important that they are present in the diet of the little ones, taking into account that at each stage of their childhood and adolescence Their needs are different and their diet should be too. Therefore, today we tell you the specific benefits of dairy products and how to offer them to the little ones.
The importance of milk and its derivatives
Dairy products are known especially for being an important calcium source and an indispensable food, both for children and adults. This mineral is what keeps our healthy skeleton and strong. In turn, it protects our teeth and gives us benefits such as keeping cholesterol at bay, promoting proper coagulation and good cardiovascular health. El Caserío and Aldeas Infantiles know the importance of this nutrient, and therefore they have collaborated again to provide 30,000 snacks to children in need.
Calcium is essential for the good physical and intellectual development of children
But both milk and its derivatives have other essential nutrients for motor and cognitive development. On the one hand, milk contains vitamins A, B1, B2, C, D and E, in addition to other minerals such as sodium, magnesium, potassium or phosphorus. Dairy foods are also a very important source of protein, essential for tissue and organ development. Dairy products, such as yogurt or cheese, also provide carbohydrates, which provide energy.
Dairy products, keys at each stage
From the birth, milk plays an important role in the development of children, being their only food until 6 months. Whether through breastfeeding, the option recommended by health organizations and pediatricians, such as through adapted milk, newborns receive milk from all necessary nutrients during the first months of life.
With the start of complementary feeding, after 6 months, milk should continue to be the main food to ensure proper bone fortification, thanks to calcium, and optimal brain development, thanks to fatty acids. At this stage you have to go complementing breastfeeding with the progressive incorporation of other foods and nutrients until the children have a diet as varied and complete as possible.
Around the year of age, pediatricians recommend starting to introduce the cow's milk and its derivatives in the diet of the little ones, having a very important role in their physical and intellectual development. In this way, you can start offering, in addition to the milk, yogurts and cheese, to enrich the diet of the little ones and accustom them to new flavors and textures.
During their first years of life, children need a greater supply of calcium and vitamins
During their first years it is when the little ones need the greatest contribution of calcium, since it is when the bones develop more quickly and it is convenient for them to grow strong and healthy. The amount of milk and derivatives recommended for a 2 year old is 2 or 3 daily rations, that is, the equivalent to half a liter of milk or dairy products per day.Due to its composition and properties, dairy products must be very present in children's diet throughout their development, not forgetting stages such as puberty and adolescence, in which they need an extra contribution of energy. In this phase, the recommended daily amount increases and becomes 3 or 4 daily rations.
How to offer dairy to children
To ensure the correct supply of calcium and other nutrients in children, the fundamental thing is to ensure that they follow a varied diet in which the maximum number of foods are involved. Thus, we must offer the recommended amounts of dairy products according to their age, without forgetting that there are other foods They also have calcium and their consumption is very beneficial, such as fish, seafood, nuts, legumes and some vegetables (broccoli, spinach or chard).
Milk and its derivatives can be offered in your original format, but they can also be integrated into different recipes and integrated into the dishes, a particularly useful trick if they do not like their taste. In this case, it is also a good option. bet on milk derivatives that they find funny, but that in turn are healthy and rich.
Good example of this are the Drinking yogurts or cheeseCalcium-rich foods that also have a very attractive format for children and are practical for eating out.
As you can see, milk and its derivatives are fundamental foods to ensure the correct calcium intake and vitamins, especially in children and adolescents. Do not forget, however, that it is also very important to follow a varied diet for a correct physical and intellectual growth.
Feed your future
That all children, whatever their social status, may have access to a varied and complete diet At a nutritional level like the one we have shown here, it is becoming a priority for administrations and companies. As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, The Farmhouse the collaboration project with SOS Children's Villages, through which it will donate 30,000 snacks for children at risk of social exclusion that are part of the organization throughout Spain.
Snack It is a very important meal to have a balanced diet since it represents 15% of the daily calories needed for a child. The project "Feed your future”From El Caserío and Aldeas Infantiles - you can follow the campaign on social networks through #ElCaserioYAldeasInfantiles and # AlimentaSuFuturo- SOS provides balanced snacks to children who come to the NGO centers, to complement their diet and ensure they have a correct physical and emotional growth and development. In addition, collaboration in this project is open to all consumers: by buying each pack of a product from El Caserío, you can collaborate with this beautiful cause.
Photos | iStock: g-stockstudio / oksun70 / Stas_Uvarov / Choreograph
