You may have heard of the bad effects of dairy products on people, which may not be entirely true. Perfectly balanced and nutrition-rich dairy products are crucial to the human body's development, especially for toddlers.
Toddler years, which occur between the age of one and three, are a time of huge development. This period in a child's life should involve proper nutrients and healthy eating habits -- factors which all contribute to the kid's short and long-term health.
Toddlers' need for nutrition-rich dairy products presents a great business opportunity for food and drink manufacturers, Food Manufacture reported. Anne Staudt Kvistgaard, senior manager for pediatric at Arla Foods Ingredients, or AFI, said some example of toddler-specific products that contain dairy are toddler formulas, yogurts, fruits drinks, milky drinks, snack bars, and squeezable pouches.
Of course, these food and beverages must be perfectly balanced to sustain a toddler's specific needs. The global toddler food and beverage market costs $34 billion last year. That amount is larger than the $24.7 billion infant formula market.
Milk and dairy products are an important staple of young children's diet because they contain a variety of minerals and vitamins such as vitamins B2 and B12 as well as calcium, which is good for building healthy teeth and bones, according to the National Health Service. Milk and dairy are also good sources of energy and protein.
Toddlers will benefit from semi-skimmed milk and milk from cows, goats, and sheep. It should be noted, however, that these types of milk should be pasteurized. Unpasteurized milk and dairy products can contain harmful germs such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned.
Some dairy foods, however, contain too much fat and salt. This includes butter, cream, and most cheeses like cheddar, brie, stilton, Lancashire, and double Gloucester. Consuming too much salt can lead to high blood pressure, so it's best to eat them moderately.
Many children and young people in Northern Ireland are staying away from milk and dairy products despite their known benefits. Experts blamed the low demand for milk and dairy products on celebrities endorsing vegan diets. Parents are also encouraging their kids to drink soya milk and other plant-based alternatives instead of traditional milk sources, the Belfast Telegraph reported.
To tackle the issue, the Global Daily Platform is planning to launch a campaign that promotes the dairy industry all over the world. The campaign will teach people about the health benefits of consuming balanced dairy products.
