Nutrition: Foundations for Life

MY CHILD HATES MILK

Answer:  All of these are sound pieces of advice .

Notes:

• Make sure the flavoring is sugar-free.  We don't need to promote obesity in order to promote calcium intake.

• Recommend also other milk products, such as yogurt, non-processed cheese (processed cheese is lower in calcium than "block" cheese), or cottage cheese. 

• The child may be more likely to drink milk if the only fluids available are water or milk, so recommend to mothers that they limit juices and sodas. 

• The child may refuse milk because it creates a bloated or uncomfortable feeling due to lactose intolerance or cow milk antigen sensitivity. 

• Supplements can be found in the following form:

  • Calcium fortified fruit juices (250 mg per cup)- but watch out for those extra carbohydrate calories!

  • Calcium supplements, such as chewable flavored calcium carbonate tablets, or proprietary children's preparations of chewable, flavored supplements

  • Other foods rich in calcium can help, but alone will not be enough.  For example, most children will be unwilling to eat a cup of almonds or a cup of cooked dandelion greens daily (250 mg/cup)! 

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