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Getting Enough Calcium when Your Child Won't Drink Milk
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Posted on 8/10/2016 by Cynthia Pelley |
 As a parent, you likely understand the importance of calcium for your child's health, as calcium is crucial for strong bones and teeth. However, if your child doesn't like milk, getting enough calcium can become a challenge.
Make Milk Taste BetterOne of the simplest things that you can do to try and make milk more appealing to your child is to alter the taste. You might have better luck with flavored milk like strawberry or chocolate.
These beverages will still have less sugar than soda or juice; just make sure that they are actual milk products rather than sugary drinks packaged in milk-like containers. You can also make milk taste better by making your child a shake, smoothie, or a mug of hot chocolate.
You may also want to put milk into other everyday food items, allowing your child to get the calcium without even realizing that he is consuming milk. Mashed potatoes are often made with milk, as are oatmeal and macaroni and cheese.
Choose an Alternative to Milk and Dairy ProductsIf your child is allergic to milk or simply can't stand the taste of it, even some of the previously noted suggestions might not be helpful in boosting his calcium intake.
Fortunately, there are many products out there that have calcium levels similar to milk, and examples of good sources of calcium that don't contain milk include beans, broccoli, tofu, and spinach. Many cereals are also fortified with calcium.
Regardless of how your child feels about milk, there are ways to make sure that he gets the calcium that he needs. Remember that children under the age of 3 need 500 mg, 4-8 year olds will need 800 mg, and children ages 9 and over will need 1300 mg.
If you have questions about how to better care for your child's teeth, contact our office to set up an appointment.
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