What growing children really need in milk

The nutritional needs of children vary as they grow up. As such, mothers must know the important nutrients that they should look for in their kids’ milk to ensure that they will grow healthy and strong.

For nutritionist Aleli Gana-Magtibay, MS RND, milk must contain nutrients that kids need for body growth, strong body defense, and cognitive development.

“Mothers should first and foremost know which nutrients their children really need for their developing minds and bodies,” Gana-Magtibay says.

Milk is an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals. It contains highly absorbable calcium which helps build and maintain bones and teeth.

Calcium absorption is highest in kids, reaching up to 60 percent. This essential mineral is considered the main building block of the structure of the bones because it makes the skeleton thick, strong, and dense.

Calcium lessens the risk of developing osteoporosis later on life, too.

“Kids who get enough calcium and physical activities have the highest chance of building strong bones,” Gana-Magtibay says.

Calcium also controls various body processes such as muscle contraction and heart beat regulation.

Protein is also present in milk for normal body growth. According to Gana-Magtibay, milk protein contains all the essential amino acids required by the body for building and repairing tissues.

Researches have shown that there are special ingredients that help build body defenses. Examples of these would be probiotics and prebiotics.

Probiotics are good microorganisms that help maintain gastrointestinal health resulting to stronger body defense and protection against infections and diseases. To show the benefit of protection, probiotics should be taken in adequate amounts.

Another important ingredient for healthy digestive system is prebiotics, which can be found in nutrition labels as oligosaccharides or dietary fibers. It is important to have the combined effect of probiotics and prebiotics to help build body defenses. 

There are milk brands fortified with DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) that is important for healthy visual and mental development. Adequate nutrition of this omega 3 fatty acid is associated with optimal mental and visual development and function.

According to Gana-Magtibay, DHA is important to children as they grow up and experience continual learning and development.

“DHA supports the cognitive development of children so they will continuously develop their skills and nurture new ones when they engage themselves in various activities,” Gana-Magtibay says.