Should children have whole milk or lowfat?

Question

I was at the doctors and saw a pamplet on nutricous diet for children and I was always under the impression that doctors wanted young children to have whole milk. This said for the most nutricios way to go is low fat milk. Now I am wondering which it is?

Answer 1

Whatever you choose there will be some health-nut in a few months time saying the reverse.

If you children are healthy and fit then keep giving them whatever you are giving them. If they seem a little heavy, perhaps give them semi-skimmed if you must - but...... see below.

I am NOT advocating a low-carb diet (atkins etc), but redicing fat is NOT as important as controlling sugar. Sugar is quickly converted to fat inside the body, fat, actually is NOT easily converted to body fat as it has to be converted first to sugars.

Point being - don't worry about fat, worry about overall calories *IF* they are overweight - if they are about the right weight - let them enjhoy whole milk.

Mark

Answer 2

The children at the stage of growth should have the whole milk. The only problem with the milk today, and why low fat sometimes recommended, is that it has so many things that are not healthy (like certain chemicals digested by the cows and gotten into the milk) that its affects the kids hormones. By the way, the chemical in milk was linked to premature growth (8 or 9 year old girls get period or breast growth when a norm is after at least 11-12 years of age). However, the kids do need the nutrients of the milk and all I can say is that they better off with whole organic milk. Even though it might be slightly expensive it's worth it and it's healthier for the entire family...

Answer 3

I always gave my son whole milk. He had no problems with it and has been healthy, thank God. Each year he has gone to the doctor for a well child visit and that has been that. He is now 19 and still healthy. It's hard to know what is good for you and not nowdays. They change it so often it's confusing. Find a nutritionist and ask them.

As a kid, we used to visit our relatives on the farm where we had whole milk each morning fresh from the cow, warm and frothy. I had no problem with it whatsoever. After they started doing whatever it was they started doing to the milk, I developed a lactose intolerance and don't drink milk now. A little skim on cereal is fine but other than that, no.

Answer 4

Children need whole milk until they are at least 2 years old. After that I would check with your Dr. to see if you can switch to a lower fat milk.

Answer 5

Whatever you do, do not give your young child non fat milk. Children need fat in their bodies and usually at that age, they don't eat much, just nibble on things. I gave my kids 2% when they got off formula, the whole milk had too much fat for their tummies to handle. Once they got even older, we switched to 1% to cut back on our fat intake as a family.

Answer 6

An adequate amount of fat in the diet is crucial for a child's brain development. That doesn't mean the fat has to come from milk, once a child is old enough to be eating table food.

Answer 7

Children under two should have whole milk because they need the fat for building brain and nerve tissue. After that, low-fat or non-fat milk is fine.

Answer 8

For the first year of life, they should have breastmilk or formula. From 1 - 2 years, they should have whole milk. From age 2 and up, you can give them whatever you want--whole, 2%, 1%, etc.

Children need the fat that's found in whole milk during their 1-2 year age period. It's crucial for brain development.

Answer 9

Depends on how young they are. If he/she is still an infant, they should drink whole milk. As they get older and become more active, it's best to give them 2% so they don't gain too much weight as they drink lots of milk as children. It's completely up to you as the mother to decide what's best for your own children.

Answer 10

Small kids need either whole milk or 2%. Absolutely nothing less then 2%, because they are still developing and need the fat. DO NOT give them 1% or skim milk.