Not all milk is created equal. Cow's milk, is by far, more nutritious, offering 100% of the recommended protein per two cups serving for a 3-year old whereas non-cow's milk offers only 25% of the recommended amount of protein. Considering that the nutritional content of non-cow's milk such as almond and soy milks vary from one product to another, you can't really be sure.
The nutritional content of cow's milk is highly regulated in both the United States and Canada whereas non-cow milks are not.
The nutritional content of cow's milk is highly regulated in both the United States and Canada whereas non-cow milks are not.
A study was conducted with over 5,000 kids ages 2 through 6 to determine the health effects of drinking traditional dairy products from cows versus dairy alternatives such as soy and almond milks.
Only 13% of the kids drank alternative milk options while 92% consistently drank cow's milk and the results were startling when it came to the height that the kids achieved over the years.
Only 13% of the kids drank alternative milk options while 92% consistently drank cow's milk and the results were startling when it came to the height that the kids achieved over the years.
For those who drank non-cow milk, a child was, on average, four-tenths of a centimeter shorter than average for their age whereas the cow's milk drinkers were two-tenths of a centimeter taller than their age peers.
The researchers compared the 3-year olds who drank 3 cups of cow's milk a day to those who drank 3 cups of non-cow's milk showed a whopping 1.5 centimeter difference in height. This difference in height was comparable to going from the 15%ile in height to the 50%ile. Even if kids drank cow's milk along with non-cow's milk, they were still shorter than average.
The researchers concluded that the difference in height is related to the insufficient protein and fat intake that children experience when they drink non-cow's milk which leads to stunted growth.
The researchers compared the 3-year olds who drank 3 cups of cow's milk a day to those who drank 3 cups of non-cow's milk showed a whopping 1.5 centimeter difference in height. This difference in height was comparable to going from the 15%ile in height to the 50%ile. Even if kids drank cow's milk along with non-cow's milk, they were still shorter than average.
The researchers concluded that the difference in height is related to the insufficient protein and fat intake that children experience when they drink non-cow's milk which leads to stunted growth.
Do your own research and consult with your pediatrician about making sure your child gets the fat and protein they need to grow.
Just do the best you can, Claudia
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Just do the best you can, Claudia
Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch
