What To Do When Your Child Hates Milk

by Teresa McEntire | More from this Blogger

We all know milk is important because it contains calcium. In fact young children have high calcium needs because they are constantly growing. Calcium is essential for building strong bones and teeth. Calcium reservoirs in the bones need to be topped off each day to prevent diseases like rickets or osteoporosis when older.

Calcium is used:

· In building bones and teeth · Regulating muscle functions · Regulating heart functions · Blood clotting · Enzyme function · Transmission of nervous system signals

So what do you do when your child hates milk?

This is a question I've had to answer myself because my daughter hates drinking milk. Her siblings love it. So every once in a while she'll ask for some and then only drink a few swallows. I've had to get creative to ensure that she gets the calcium she needs.

How to add calcium to your child's diet:

· Provide string cheese or other types of cheeses cubed as a snack

· Add instant powdered milk to items you bake like cookies, cakes, bread, or muffins. This adds vitamins and minerals without many calories.

· Use milk in gravies, sauces, or cream-based soups.

· Buy Tums and have them chew a couple each day (not as good as natural sources.)

· Prepare instant oatmeal or hot chocolate with milk.

· Have a milk-shake (combine milk and ice cream) or a fruit smoothie (blend together milk, fruit, and ice or frozen fruit instead of ice).

· Encourage yogurt, gogurt, or yogurt drinks. My kids love Trix yogurt. It has great kids appeal.

· Leafy green vegetables like broccoli and spinach also have calcium.

· Try cottage cheese with pears or peaches.

· Fish like salmon and sardines contain calcium, although my daughter doesn't like fish.

· Try calcium fortified products like cereal, spaghettios, fruit bars, etc.

· Serve instant macaroni and cheese that requires milk.

Learn more about Teresa McEntire

Teresa McEntire grew up in Utah the oldest of four children. She currently lives in Kuna, Idaho, near Boise. She and her husband Gene have been married for almost ten years.

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