Dairy Alternative for kids

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Children 2- 3 Years old need 2 cups of milk per day. At the age of 4, the goal is 2 1/2 cup per day. Calcium requirements increases as they get older, so from 9 years old, children and teenagers need 3 cups of milk per day.

Here are three alternatives to cow's milk parents can depend on:

Goat milk: it is most resemble in structure to breast milk, and it is easier for children to digest. Also, it is rich in Casein- the protein found in cow's milk. It is good alternative since it does contain more overall calcium, vitamin A, potassium, and niacin comparing to cow's milk.

Soy milk: is another alternative that may be more familiar and available than goat milk. Although it requires extracting the milk from soy beans through long process, it rich in protein and calcium, and provides other nutrients as cow's milk. Moreover, soy milk is cholesterol-free milk unlike cow's milk that contains saturated fat.

Oat milk: is another plant-based alternative. It contains no lactose or cholesterol, but rich in other nutrient such calcium and iron. Most of brands of oat milk are fortified with other nutrients include vitamin D, vitamin A, and some of B vitamins.

Even with use of these alternatives, parent should be ensuring their children are getting B12 vitamin found in cow's milk but lowered in goat's milk, and not found in soy or oat milk. Other sources of B12 vitamin include red meat that is rich in this vitamin or vitamin supplements designed for children.